Introducing Tomtee

Bob, at Winderwood Farm, has the best kittens.  At least the best for us.  They grow up outside but also on a porch.  They have hunting experience.   They are familiar with dogs, sheep, llamas, goats and rabbits.  We have tried rescuing adult cats from the shelter but our track record is not so good on the dog end of things. Since Basel loves cats we feel whomever comes to live with us should at least tolerate dogs if not cuddle up.

Sparkles, who came from Winderwood Farm loved Basel.  Sally, who came from the SPCA, hissed at Baz forever.  He did worship her from afar but it was not a satisfying relationship either way.

Sparkles has been gone long enough for us to want having another cat around plus the mouse leavings are getting rather evident on most surfaces.   Sparkles kept the mouse, chipmunk and bird population in good control.  I was never a fan of his bird trophies but that's cats for ya.

So last Monday Jim and I made the trek to Naples, NY, about 1.5-2 hours and several lakes west.  We had our choice of quite a few kitties.  I liked a black and white 5 month old girl but Jim thought a younger one would work out better for us.   We finally settled on a sweet 12 week old tiger boy and brought him home.

He seemed fine with Baz and accepting of our house.

The only negative with getting an outside kitty is they have never met a litter box.   This little guy understood and used one within an hour of arriving.

He had an eating problem when he first arrived, probably from trying to jossle with all the other cats and kittens for crunchies.  He gorged and then threw up.  We put him on limited food several times a day and within a couple of days he began regulating his eating by himself.

Tomtee is so laid back, very little of anything scares him, yet he is inquisitive and has travelled all over our house exploring corners and dark crevices.  He purrs immediately upon being picked up.

It took us several days to hear his name since it is so unusual.  We went from Tommy to Bixbee to Timtee to Tomtee.

So far Tomtee has shown no interest in going outside.  Jim thinks he is happy for now just exploring the house, although he does watch out the window at the birds, squirrels and buns.   I expect pretty soon he will learn about the doggie door and we will be able to retire the litter box.  Meanwhile he is so clean it really is no problem.

He weighed in the day after he arrived at 3 pounds 12 ounces.  Two days later he weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces.   Definitely a growing boy.