The best of luck to you Cattyles and happy mother's day to you. You did a wonderful bunch of things. Hats off to you.

You are such a good person to do that for that poor mama. I'm sorry the one kitten died, and I'm hoping that Zippy lives up to her name. We once rescued two tiny new born kittens-one died the next day, the other we named Chipotle. They were infested with mites, giardia and were extremely dehydrated. When I took Chipotle in to the vet he weighed 2 oz! Vet didn't think he'd make it through the night but he rallied and grew up to be close to 20 lbs. He was my baby and I lost him to the street when he escaped the house one day. I've never gotten over his loss, so you saving Zippy helps me just a little bit.

Bless you for helping them all. Will you have a place for the mom when she's recovering? I wonder if she'll be able to take over care of the kitten or will they have had to dry up her milk?

Took your mind off feeling rotten, no?

You did a great thing. Saving two lives is no small feat. Best of luck to Zippy (I did read that book), and to you!

When the vet told me I could feed every three hours, instead of every 2, I actually hugged her and had to fight back tears, lol. I'm so sleep deprived that y'all being so sweet is making me tear up, too. I'm being a huge sissy. Neetsie, I'm so sorry about your Chipotle. I'm going to do my best with Zippy.

Oly, she won't be able to nurse Zippy and I definitely have no room at the Cattyles Inn. One of the vet techs wants her, yipppeeeee! I don't have a place for Zippy either but if she makes it, I'm sure she's staying. :-)

Bless you dear Catty. Fingers crossed for mama and baby. I love people who love and care for cats. And all animals.

Oh, so lucky one of the vet techs wants her - it sounds like you've taken on enough. How is it these animal emergencies happen through no doing of our own....as in, how did that young cat know to have her kittens within your reach, sense that you would help her.

Good luck with the kitten, I know you're doing your best. I wish one of us could handle a couple of feedings and let you sleep.

Oh, they are just so very sweet - even in a blurry photo! Bless you for caring for these little ones. I believe these are deeds that return to us in countless ways, and I hope that the blessings rain down on you for having such a tender, sweet heart. I hope mama and Zippy live long, healthy, and happy lives -- all thanks to you, who took the time to care.

Morz8, that is a great question. How do they know? And I offer an all expense paid trip to lovely and cosmopolitan west Texas to anyone interested in cat camp, haha!

When I moved into my house 6 years ago, there was a whole colony of strays that grew every day. They have all been neutered and had shots. I found homes for about 10 kittens and cats. There are still 6 "outies". They have insulated houses and I spend time with them almost every day. But they don't have a real home.

I had never seen Zippy's mom until last week but the outies accepted her right away. She's a long hair with Siamese markings, just beautiful but quite nervous and stand-offish. It's a huge relief that the vet tech will take her. The vet tech is a very sweet, quiet young lady and I think it's a nice match.

Aww, you have the biggest heart! Wishing the best for Zippy and Mama Cat.

Thank-you from a 'dog person' for all that you have done! Reading how many you've helped and saved IS tear-inducing. This is wonderful news that both will have great homes!

They say that back in the Depression, hobos used this symbol for a kind-hearted woman:

Look ok around your perimeter for this one instead (minus the jackolantern!):

Your story is the cherry on top of my Mother's Day. I'm sorry you lost one but I'm so glad that sweet Zippy and her Mama have found a home. Beautiful story and heart.

Sorry to hear about the loss of the kitten and that you're not feeling well, catty. Thank you for rescuing them. That's how we got Gracie--she showed up on someone's porch with three kittens, asking for help.

Bless your heart for taking care of these poor babies.

As a human child-free (by choice) cat mom, this story totally makes my Mother's Day. You are so kind to help these babies!

Bless you for your kind heart!

That is one lucky kitten.

Thank you, cattyles! From one catmom to another.

What a kind and generous thing to do. I hope mama cat appreciates it, but…she is a cat, after all. :)

The name Zippy doesn't seem to be sticking. She's getting some Siamese markings and might need something more feminine. What do y'all think about Sookie? Other suggestions?

Right now she's a tyrannical eating, pooping and yelling machine. She's killin' me haha!

Thank you for the kind words, Ladies. Anyone that has done this before, please share any tips.

Oh. My. Goodness. She is just unbelievably angelic! I love her!

Aww, Cattyles! How sweet. Thank you so much for caring for her and her momma.

When we picked our new kitty, the name on her card was Sam. We tried a slew of names over the next week or so and nothing seemed right, so we added an "i" and she became Sami.

Be patient - something will come to you! She does have Siamese coloring, doesn't she? So does Sami, except she has long hair and a hint of stripes, so there must be some Persian and tabby in her somewhere.

Donna

Donna, I think I remember when you named Sami. Did she accidentally get outside for a little while? I may be thinking of a completely different kitty......

What a sweet baby. I was just wondering about her this morning.

There are some pretty Japanese names. I don't find Sookie to be one of them. Reminds me of Snookie from that NJ show.

OMG - how sweet! I'm not sure about a name. Pip came to mind - as in a teeny, tiny little pip squeak. I looked up pip - informal meaning is: excellent or very attractive person or thing. I guess you could say that applies.

WANT! She's adorable. To me she looks like a Sasha, or Sash for short.

Good on ya, cattyles.

I like Pip too!

I wish I could be a cat mom again. Sad face/happy face....

I read once that cats respond to the long "e" sound so choose a name that ends in y or ie.

Yes, Cattyles! She escaped from our screen porch and was missing for two agonizing days.

Donna

I've heard that, too, Mayflowers. I'm drawing a blank, though. I'm going to try to be patient and let the right name come to me.

Pip is cute!

Delilah, why can't you be a cat mom?? Did you know there are networks of cat-loving people that will form a transport chain to get a kitty from anywhere in the U.S. to a new home? It's the sweetest thing. Look at Catz Meow on FB. Maybe I can't come up with a name because this cutie is meant for some other cat mom?

I like Sasha, too!

Pippin; Samira/Sami; my little Tibetan Spaniel's name is Sasha, which I love. DD named hers India. Love that one!

What an adorable baby! Bottle feeding can be really, really hard but it seems like you're holding your own! You asked for tips yesterday... do you mean things like keep the baby warm, don't feed it on its back, be sure to burp it, etc.?

Do you have any interest in maybe turning it over to a different nursing mother cat and see if she will accept it? That will relieve you of the burden, and will better socialize the baby as it grows. You could always take baby back when it is weaned and old enough to leave the mother. It's definitely a neat experience but can be exhausting!

I like Zippy! (the kitten and the name)

She's precious!

Bluebell, yes! I'm looking for any of those tips. I actually do know the ones you listed. I've never been so obsessed with a heating pad; 3 or 4, is 4 too hot? Is 3 too cool? Haha. I don't know of any nursing mom cats or how to find one. The interwebs says she should have doubled her weight this first week but she's only gone from 3.2oz to 4oz. She eats every 2-2.5 hours, went up to 4cc per feeding today. She hates to be pottied and cat-cusses me at the top of her lungs but all of that is good.

And I already have too many cats. I've always been very firm about 2 only but right now I have 4, before adding her. I'm pretty tired. I'm actually on sick leave and waiting on a Rheumotologist appt to figure out what is wrong. My son helps (former vet tech) but works long hours. The vet he worked for never fostered kittens, so he's not a big source of info.

Honestly, breastfeeding a new baby was waaaay easier. And I was younger.

I like Pippin! A song from the show is Corner of the Sky:

rivers belong where they can ramble, eagles belong where they can fly. I've got to be where my spirit can be free. Gotta find my corner of the sky.

my son sang this song as "Pluto" in a local original show where, in an element of the show, Pluto's validity as a planet was contested, and after the song the planets accepted him. (This was around the time that Pluto was declassified as a full planet)

I knew a cat named Chami, pronounced Shammi, short for Chamonix, because he was flame-point and looked like the sun-kissed peak of Chamonix.

I love that, bpathome!

Thank you for everything you are doing. Your efforts epitomize motherhood.

Thank you, Rory. She's looking more like a kitty than a malnourished baby squirrel finally.....

Oh that poor little thing - you are such a dear for taking care of her!

Bpathome - funny you mention Flame Points.........when I moved here, it didn't take long to realize there was an extreme stray problem. Half of them were ginger tabbies and the other half were flame point. I tried hard to keep everyone from making more kittens but, well, we all know how cats are about making kittens. Anyway, litters of kittens were always ginger tabbies, flame points, and there was almost always one kitten with seal point Siamese markings. It would seem someone was breeding unregistered look-alike kittens and either turned them outside or moved off without them.

Last year I kept 2 kittens from what I thought was the last litter, I finally had everyone fixed, until this kitten's mom waddled up. This is the flame point, Sarah with her brother Bucky. I've never had a white cat until now.

Catyles, we had a Sarah, too. She was calico. I'm glad to hear the new one is hanging in there!

Donna