What Matters

With everything that’s been going on in the world lately, I haven’t felt compelled to write much about the kittens…their progress seems somewhat small and insignificant compared to the violence, death, and destruction happening across the country. It angers and saddens me to know that racism and police brutality is still as present as it’s ever been in the United States, and it’s only getting worse.

I’m trying every day to educate myself more on systemic racism in this country and participate in discussions about its prevalence. As a white woman with undeniable privilege, I do not pretend to understand what people of other races experience in their everyday lives, but I understand why they are angry. I see that they are treated differently based on the color of their skin—that innocent black people are shot down without reason and forcefully pinned to the ground until they can no longer breathe. They’re attacked by authorities and non-authorities alike, and they have been for so long. Everyone must stand together to demand justice and change the narrative. I know that I must take more action in my daily life to defend the rights of others. I must sign petitions, donate, protest, and educate myself and others. I must fight. 

I must fight because black lives matter. George Floyd mattered. Breonna Taylor mattered. Ahmaud Arbery mattered. So many more lives have mattered and then been taken too soon—in the most inhumane, racist ways imaginable. For centuries, this country has treated black lives as if they don’t matter. As if they’re dispensable and worthy of injustice. That must change. 

For anyone looking to discuss this more with me, please feel free to reach out. I am happy to share some educational resources and guidelines for getting more involved in this fight. 

While I know I am privileged to be able to be writing this and I should be focusing all my attention on the movement occurring right now, I want to share at least a little bit of an update on the kittens, for all those who are interested. It might, at the very least, bring a little joy into your lives in such a difficult time. 

The kitties are now eight weeks old and each weighs approximately two pounds. They’re hyperactive little balls of energy, and they play more than they sleep these days. It can be a bit exhausting trying to keep track of all of them, but most of the time they stay only in the living room and kitchen and don’t get into too much trouble. 

However, they’ve discovered how to climb the stairs, so almost every morning, I wake up to find them waiting outside my bedroom door. It’s pretty darn adorable! 

The kittens are very needy at this age—they constantly want attention, since they still think I’m their mama cat. They’ve been completely weaned off the bottle, which is an incredible feeling, but they often need validation and love after eating, since they grew so accustomed to that when bottle feeding. Turtle and Queso love to meow at me until I pick them up and cuddle them, and Bandit and Callie try to climb my leg, which is pretty painful, with those tiny sharp claws…

They’re still mostly eating wet food but have begun to eat some dry food as well, which is comforting. They’ve all started lapping up water from a shallow dish, too. To know I can leave dry food and water out for them for a few hours while I’m gone is such a relief!

The four of them keep each other occupied most of the day, running around and wrestling and pouncing on each other. They’ve started climbing up the sides of furniture and jumping longer distances, so I sometimes have to keep a closer eye on them, just to make sure they don’t try anything too dangerous. 

They had their first vaccine appointment last Monday, which was exciting but also a bit sad. It means I’m getting even closer to having to say goodbye to three of my four fur-babies (not counting Baloo, of course, who I more consider a human than a dog). Fortunately, I have several more weeks until Queso, Calypso, and Bandit will be able to be adopted, so I don’t need to prepare quite yet. I honestly don’t know what this place will feel like after all three of them are gone! At least Turtle will be sticking around. 

Here are some pictures of the fuzzy little furballs: