PrairieBaby Drench The Barren Land

[Picture] [Pedigree]
Nickname: Prairiegirl
Foundation: F2
Color: Blue tabby - white  (a 09 21)
From: Outskirts of Selkirk, Manitoba

From outskirts of Selkirk, Manitoba, private home: Here goes: I found Prairiegirl through a newspaper add, during a shipping trip to Winnipeg.

Her origin is Selkirk, the outskirts of Winnipeg. The people had two dogs, three female cats, three kittens left, all were loved and well taken care of - but not much money seemed to be available and things at their house were going overboard. Only one of the females was spayed. The other two (mother and daughter) were both whole. One was 4 years old and the other one (Prairiegirl) was 3. And.........this prairie girl was too nice to be overlooked!! Have they had kittens before?

This is what the owner said: "They both had had a few litters - whenever they managed to get out when they were in heat. The tom cat used to sit in front of our door, waiting for them, peeing on our stairs. The kittens always went well because they were so nice and fluffy. Sometimes we brought them to the pet store if we didn't find owners".

My question: Were the kids alright and healthy? "Oh yes, both are great moms, the babies already ate by themselves at 3 1/2 weeks of age.

They had many Calicos and Tabbies with white paws, usually around 4 kittens." Question: What about the young female, the one who has babies right now? " She has had babies from the same tom cat as her mother, the next door guy, for the past couple of years. Nice friendly guy." "Can I see him?" "Sure, if he is home". over at the neighbor's house.....

This particular tom didn't turn out to be exactly the most handsome cat but obviously capable to produce nice kids with his own "daughter" outsch!. "I ***think*** we won't take any of the kittens, but would you be willing to let us have the young female instead of a baby kitten?". "You mean you don't want a kitten but the mother?" "Yap. I am sure you will find homes easily for her 3 remaining kids". "Well we weren't planning on it, but we were kind of thinking of keeping one of these kittens........sure!! " :-)

Prairiegirl and her mother Susie were obviously naturals when it comes to raising litters. According to the owners only her mother lost a baby once in her first litter.

Of course pet people are not fully capable to see deformities in young kittens, but this "health history" still speaks for itself. And........even better (or not): None of them has ever seen a vet. So we have some vaccinating to do here :-)). They also did not care to spend the money to get either of them spayed, like many cat owners here in Manitoba. They actually seemed released when I offered to take "Prairiegirl" with me.

Prairiegirl loved me from the first minute on. Since we had not planned this incident at all, we had to go buy a kennel for her in Winnipeg to transport her home - or actually - to be more specific, straight to my vet in Brandon. In her kennel she turned and turned, trilling at me, wanting attention. When I put my hand into the kennel she rubbed against me, licking my hands. At my vet she did not resist any kind of checkup or blood test. Her temperament is so loving and stable that this alone would have been a reason to include her in my program.

Since she did not come from a shelter or farm, I am less concerned about health problems or parasites, but everything needs to be done by the book to be safe. 

Update 2021: 
Prairiegirl is now presented in pedigrees all around the world.