Topic: Meet the newest Fur baby of the Redwoods Family (Read 9547 times)

RedwoodsMama · « **on:** July 05, 2013, 05:54:33 PM »

June 2013 has been the worst June of my life, with not only the loss of my much beloved rescue cat, Karl Kat, but also the loss of the matriarch and oldest fur baby, Aiffa or Mama Cat, succumbed to Kidney disease after a fight of three years. She would have been 19 years old, or was it Twenty in Early August. ( my daughter brought her home as a six week old kitten) To make matters worse, not only did Karl kat die, on June 12th, but the day we buried him, we came home to find one of our turtles had been stolen out of the pond in our back yard, talk about adding insult to injury..

Then two weeks after the death of my Karl Kat who I am still grieving over, I lost my beautiful Mama Cat, Aiffa and she had lost her battle with Kidney disease and was in the process of dying, her organs shutting down, one by one, and I had to rush her to the vets to give her the painless death as the last act of kindness...

This was on June 26th, EXACTLY TWO weeks to the day, I lost Karl Kat. I was beside myself, not knowing what to do and feeling guilty, that I had let not just one cat down, but to lose two.......

I could not eat and have lost the weight I had been trying so hard, eight to ten pounds in the last two weeks or so , and even more....not the way I recommend though............My friend knew I was in bad shape and she also is in animal rescue, esp Cats. I got an email from her a few days ago, and it said, Baby Carl needs your help...? I thought, Karl Kat is gone, what does she mean, and Karl Kat is spelled with a K not a C. I wanted to make sure it was not the usual spelling and even CAT is spelled, or was spelled, Kat. I opened up the email to see some cute photos of a little kitten, and at first glance, he is a brown and white tabby and cute, but not my Karl Kat.

To shorten the story, it is a little kitten that was born to a feral outside mom, and he was being fostered, and not even in Humboldt County, but in Trinity County, really wild in the Redwoods, not on the coast. My friend saw his name, and thought of me right away and that is why she sent me the photos. I thought right away how cute but did not know how my hubby would feel, his decision is allways the final one. Losing Mama cat on top of Karl Kat was tough on him also. We still have seven cats left, and our one dog and had also lost two turtles to Ravens in June, I hate June 2013. I could not wait for July to get here.

After a lot of soul searching, my hubby suddenly called me from work a couple of days ago, and asked if I wanted, Baby Carl? I said yes, I do! I got to see him for the first time on July 2nd, after my friend spent hours driving past an Indian Reservation on a hot day to go pick him up and she brought him home. I fell in love the minute I picked him up. On July 4th, after returning from the movie, The Lone Ranger, I walked over with a carrier in hand, and got my new fur baby.

He is gorgeous, and has the most unusual markings. He has some stripes, but beautiful spots on his sides and a long tail with a kink at the end of it, just like our tortie kitten, Fuzi.

He was born about ten weeks ago, but is still small. He goes for his first shots on Monday and his check up, he has been wormed and had advantage, but until he gets his first vaccine, he has to only look at the other cats and dog through cage walls. He is a fur ball , all purrs and as sweet as can be.

My hubby came up with a name that both sounds exotic like his markings, but also fits his personality, KARUNA. It means Compassion and forgot the other part.. Anyway, Karl Kat was allways my favorite and the new baby can't have the same name, even spelled differently but he will live on in the spirit of this new little addition. Hope you like his photos. He looks much prettier or handsomer in person, but I think you get an idea of how cute he is. All white paws and stomach with instead of the usual pink nose, very dark black and lovely black markings on the side of his eyes like Egyptians, maybe he wore makeup in another lifetimes...LOL.

Let me know what you think.

More details...

RWM

I will have to introduce him to the Pleos and get some photos of his interactions...

kat · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2013, 06:14:48 PM »

He is absolutely beautiful RWM. The name suits him perfectly. He looks a lot to me like he might have some Bengal in him to get those spots and the Egyptian eyes. My mother inlaw has a cat very similar to your little guy who is half Bengal and he is the sweetest cat around. Very long and lanky and beautiful spots all along his sides. I hope your new little guy can put some fun and happiness back into your house.

Talon · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2013, 07:00:13 PM »

Awe! Congrats, Redwoods! He sounds really sweet!
Talon

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2013, 07:05:44 PM »

Glad you like him Kat, yes he is so so so sweet and very very cute and gorgeous as well, very unusual markings, I agree, AT first the thing you think is Tabby with white, like Karl Kat, but then when you take a second and third shot, no more unusual markings. The spots are different, the exotic markings around the eyes and the beautiful black nose. Also he has a very long skinny tail, with a small kink at the end. I do know his mom was wild. but I will have to find out more info. I think he is about 8-10 weeks old, not sure of exact birth date, but he goes to the vets on MOnday morning, He can probably confirm his age.

He could have some Bengal in him that would make sense!Can you post a photo of your Mother in laws cat some time,, ? I would love to see what he looks like.

Thanks, and yes, I am hoping this guy starts a positive trend, there has been so much bad luck and sorrow lately. I know you understand, thanks Kat! RWM

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2013, 07:10:58 PM »

Here is the meaning of the word, name Karuna; The Meaning of Karuna

Karuna is a Sanskrit word and is used in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is translanted to mean any action that is taken to diminish the suffering of others and could also be translated as "compassionate action." When individuals experience enlightenment, they report that all beings are known as one. Therefore, it is natural to extend compassionate action or Karuna to everyone without distinction because we are all one. As we help others and aid them in their healing process, all beings benefit. Because of the oneness of all beings, it is understood that Karuna is not only extended to others out of love, but also because it is an entirely logical thing to do. In the same way that you would want to heal your own wounds, you would also want the wounds of others to heal. It is also stated in the Buddhist literature that Karuna must be accompanied by parjna or wisdom in order to have the right effect.

Karuna is the motivating quality of all enlightened beings who are working to end suffering on Earth. They continually send an unlimited amount of healing energy and guidance to us, but not all are receptive to it. As you develop Karuna in yourself, not only are you helping others, but you also become more receptive to the Karuna that is being sent by all enlightened beings. Thus your healing is quickened as well.

I think it is a very appropriate name for this little guy. He not only is sweet and very exotic as his name sounds, but he, Karuna is helping to bring Healing into my life which has been recently turned upside down, inside out and full of death and tragedy. I am fast learning to love this little guy. He goes to the vet for his first check up on Monday, and shots. I will find out more about his genetics then, though Bengal sounds and looks right from photos I have seen.

July is turning out to be a good month. Now if I can keep my other seven cats healthy, I will be happy.

RWM

Lunamione7 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2013, 02:52:59 AM »

New baby is so cute RWM! I think he will be tall when he grows up, he has a long neck like a Siamese.

Crewella · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2013, 04:26:58 AM »

He's a beautiful little cat, RWM - and so lucky to have you.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2013, 01:11:53 PM »

Thanks everyone, Here is the first video I took on July 4th, a few hours after I went and picked him up at a friend's house. It is dark and at night, but he is lighter in color then he looks here, more of a silvery color with black markings and very sweet. Here he is sleepy, but purring the whole time. So here is his first video.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr9pxHnmxb8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr9pxHnmxb8</a>

RWM

kat · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:57:29 PM »

Here is a pic of my mother in-laws cat Kleenje (Kl-ain-cha) which means little one in Dutch. He is half Bengal and the sweetest cat you'll ever meet. This isn't the best photo of him but is the best I have for the moment. as you can see he has spots along his sides and back and the same eye lines as your new little one.

More details...

He is very long, tall and lean and also has quite large ears.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:08:00 PM »

Thanks Kat, I just saw his photo and he is very nice looking. Did she get him as a kitten or grown up? Do you know was his mom Bengal or his dad? Another question. Have you noticed or your Mother INlaw, that he talks more or differently, louder than other cats? Also is he or was he allways getting into things? I have seen videos of Bengals that are very active, great jumpers and very curious, more so than even other cats. My neighbor had a cat, a purebred beautiful Bengal female, golden brown with dark black markings that she named Xena, She got her for free on Craigs list, some people want a more exoiic pet, cat or otherwise, and are not prepared for the care it can take. Anyway, she got this beautiful little female and left her outside 90% of the time and we live or she lives off of a very busy street. We were allways afraid that one day Xena would be found dead in the street.

My friend told me about a month ago, Xena disappeared.

She was very friendly and she was taken by someone. I felt bad for Xena, but perhaps the person or persons that took her will give her a better home, I know I was warned not to let this guy out or the same thing will happen. The older he gets his spots and markings should get darker. I would love to see more photos of Kleenje if you can get more sometime, a side view or standing up view would be great. I can tell he looks very laid back and sweet like you said. Karuna and I thank you. I will have to post more photos. He had his first kitten check up and vaccinations on July 7th, and they said he looked great, very healthy, and about 9-10 weeks old. He also was put down in their records as Bengal X, so they could tell by looking also! RWM

I will see if I can find a photo or I have a short video I took last summer of Xena when I took my pleos to my friends house .

Angela · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2013, 12:31:24 AM »

Quote from: kat on July 13, 2013, 09:57:29 PM

...Kleenje (Kl-ain-cha) which means little one in Dutch.....

Kleenje must be: Kleintje.

The pronunciation is right. Funny name. My brother always calls me "Kleintje". And I call him "Grote" What means big one. $:-\$

Nice little white panthers both

edit: typos

kat · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2013, 05:37:29 PM »

Thanks Angela

your right , I had it spelt wrong

I got one of the kids to spell it for me as they had just come from grandmas (whose cat it is - her parents were Dutch and so she speaks it a little which is why she chose that name for the cat) Anyway I guess I should have asked her for the spelling of it myself rather than trust the vague retelling of the kids who thought it sounded about right.
So glad we have people on here from around the world who can keep it straight for us.

Now to go off and fix the spelling on his photo.....

RWM - She got him as a baby when he was about 10 weeks old. His mother was Bengal - not sure about his father. He has a very deep voice for a cat and he doesn't talk excessively but he will talk to you if you talk to him. So you can have a conversation that is one side human words and one side cat meows

He will talk to you if he wants your attention too. He is very smart, worked out how to open doors by himself. He was very curious as a kitten, quite active but also very gentle. He wasn't a lot different from other kittens I know. He has mellowed down a bit now he is a little older, still all of the above things just in a less intense way. He loves lap cuddles and will sit on you for hours.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2013, 09:32:02 PM »

Thanks Kat and Angela. Kat, your mother inlaw got him about the same age as Karuna. Karuna when I took him to the vet, said 9-10 weeks old. He eats like a horse, and weighed 2 lbs 14 oz already! Fuzi at that same age was 2 lbs 4 1/2 oz, so I am sure he will be bigger. He is all legs right now and quite a character, but very sweet.
Thanks for telling me about his purrsonality. He sounds very nice and mellow, how old is he right now? I did hear that Bengals are very smart and are good at opening doors, dresser dwars, etc. I also heard they are very athletic. but I don't know about Mixes. I did hear their voices sound different, deeper I think is the word. I know Karuna is not excessively more noisy right now, but my friend who has six more foster kittens from the same place where he came from, commented on how his voice is different. Very loud and more plaintive, like asking for something. Kittens are all kittens at this age, so as he gets a bit older I will be able to tell more. He has already adjusted well to all the cats and even the dog which is good.

He is more interested in playing and running on the floors right now then cuddling, but who can blame you when you came from a bunch of brothers and sisters and suddenly you are by yourself, you would prefer to be with your own kind. He is good at riding on my shoulder and that is when he purrs up a storm. It is fun comparing how he is growing to Fuzi, our Tortie who we got in Nov, after our Lei Lu , 15 years old Tortie died. She is queen of the roost, and gorgeous, very smart and loves people. She bosses the other cats around, where this little guy, Karuna is just having fun playing with anyone who wants to play with him. It was funny watching Karuna chew on a pork neck bone yesterday, he was growling and acted and looked like a wild cat.

If you get anymore photos of your Mother INlaws cat, please post them so I can compare and watch how Karuna grows up, It is nice to hear that Kleintje is now mellow as I read several things on the internet that was trying to discourage people from getting these Bengals or crosses, saying they do not make good pets, too aggressive, will attack other pets, including big dogs, destroying things in the house, knocking over knick knacks, etc.( I have long ago put all my breakables away, as any cat that likes to climb will knock over breakables, just use common sense with cats is my advice, no matter what the breed.)
Thanks again Kat and also to Angela for the spelling, he looks like a lovely cat and It is nice to know that Karuna seems to be in good "company".

RWM

We have had Karuna now for ten days so I am busy taking new photos and will post more photos and or video in next day or two.

fancyfont · « **Reply #13 on:** July 15, 2013, 09:50:28 PM »

Karuna is so exotic looking. Prettiest eyes I have seen on a cat.
July will be a much better month.

Crewella · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2013, 07:57:23 AM »

I'll swear I could hear you purring too, RWM!

And it's nice to hear you sounding more cheerful after a tough few months.

He really is astonishingly beautiful.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2013, 11:34:24 AM »

Thank you so much Crewella, I really needed this little guy and you would not believe how scared I was while at the vets for his first exam and vaccines. They asked me if I wanted him tested for feline aids and feline leukemia, esp since he was born outside not knowing if his mom had any shots or care.

I sat pretified for what seemed like an eternity waiting for the results. If it had been positive I think I would have died. Losing another cat after losing three cats in less than a year and the love of my life, Karl Kat would have been unbearable. I. Am looking forward to some healthier months and happier ones also.Ii will post some current photos later today. We had a scare this morning already, where the little ,safety, collar he was wearing somehow got caught in his mouth and he was choking and panicked jumping aroung trying to get it off. I tried to undo it but it was so tight and he was so scared he was fighting me and scratched the dickens out of my hand , he was so scared.like
Luckily my hubby was still home and I ran yelling into the other room with Karuna. My hubby got the collar out of his mouth while I held him. Poor little baby...need a safer collar that will break away..this was something I do not want repeated. R WM

Talon · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2013, 11:59:21 AM »

Awe! That pur is priceless! Someone should make a CD of kitten-purs and market it as one of those relaxation CD's. It's just such a soothing sound. Anyway sorry you had a scare this morning. My dog did that once too when he was trying to get a bell off his collar. Fortunately I was able to get him loose but it was no fun for either of us.
Talon

kat · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:13:44 PM »

I've had that happen to both my guys the first time they ever had a collar put on. I think at first I didn't want to make the collar too tight so went the other way and made it a bit too loose. The trick is to put one of your fingers between the collar and the neck when you do it up and make the collar tight around that. Then you slide your finger out and the collar is tight enough that he wont be able to get it into his mouth but not too tight to choke him. I try to cut off any excess strap that is sticking out after I have tightened it to the right length. This seems to help as it gives them less to play with on the collar and thus less incentive to keep trying to bite at the collar.
Anyway that has worked well for me.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2013, 09:03:14 PM »

Hi Kat, yes, thanks for the tip about collars, I know it was loose enough but not too loose, but the problem was it was not a good safety collar that should just break away. So when Karuna tried to get the bell, he probably got his mouth around it, and got the bottom of the collar stuck over his teeth, and could not get loose, the small part of the collar that stretches, was at it's upmost and there was no more give, It was way too tight and of course the poor guy was paniced.

( I would be too if I could not breathe and a baby...) Anyway, no collar now and I will buy him a better one that breaks away. I only had it on him so I could hear him and incase he got outside I could hear him, With seven other cats, everything is iffy sometimes,

Here is a compilation of three short videos of Karuna playing the last couple of days, enjoying fresh air and sunshine. He had his first vaccinations and goes back for the second set at the end of the month or right after my foot surgery...( Next Tuesday...) Hope you enjoy it even thought it is dark in spots. Hard to video a baby Kitten that is so active. RWM

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofSYz2hMi1s" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofSYz2hMi1s</a>

Talon · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2013, 12:42:55 PM »

He sounds adorable, Redwoods!
Talon

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2013, 03:17:55 PM »

Two days ago, my little Karuna the kitten woke up with sticky eyes and watering on just one side. I treated him with antibiotic eye ointment, from the vets from another cat that has been treated many times and it clears up. It did not after two days clear up on Karuna, and in fact, was worse yesterday morning with very watery, greenish discharge and swollen red eyelids or what is termed, the Haws or third eyelid in cats, a membrane not usualy seen. A friend of myne has six kittens from this same rescue where Karuna came from and treated their eyes as well. Seems being born outside takes a toll on kittens.

Luckily he got his first vaccine at the vets on July 8th, Last night Karuna got his first dose of Clavamox, and anitibotic, so within another 24 hrs he should start feeling better or off to the vets. Keep your fingers crossed that he gets to feeling better soon. Thanks.

RWM

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwfZxsS_RNE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwfZxsS_RNE</a>

kat · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2013, 05:09:33 PM »

Poor little fellow. mucky eyes are not much fun. Hope he is improving.

Good luck to you for Surgery tomorrow. will be thinking of you.

Shelby30 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2013, 06:47:17 PM »

om my goodness

Carl looks exactly like my new kitten, Peaches.

RedwoodsMama · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2013, 03:05:45 PM »

When it rains it POURS in my home. Karuna has been on Clavamox since the 20th for eye infection and now has UPI. Very sick, bloody discharge from nose, and panting like dog. I took his temp and it is over 105.6! I called a friend for a ride and off to vets with my sick baby..

Why do I have so much going on, poor baby, he is feeling rotten and so am I . Pray he is ok. RWM

kat · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2013, 05:08:15 PM »

Good luck at the vets. I'm sure they will be able to help

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Author Topic: Meet the newest Fur baby of the Redwoods Family (Read 9547 times)