Graduation Day!

There comes a day with all of (ok, most of) our foster kittens, when they must leave the house.  It's kind of a graduation day, of sorts, when they venture out into the big, big world and make a life for themselves with a new family.  It's always kind of bittersweet getting to the end of our time with the little ones.  I try not to call them "babies" anymore, and get choked up when I take them to PetSmart and say what could be my final "farewell" to each kitten.

But, before they go, I always have to take a few last snapshots for my kitten wall here at the shop (which is more full all of the time.)  Here are our recent graduates:

The Professor: Found in a storm drain at The University of Southern Mississippi (where my husband works).  Special skills -- snuggling, kissing, and being very sweet.  He will be a big cat, but has a lot of love for a new family.  I really can picture this laid-back fellow in a university household.  So, so nice.  We really will miss this guy.

Bunny: Born Easter weekend.  Special skills: following the rules, being cautious, and looking cute.  Bunny was always very careful to look to her mother for permission to venture out, and was always very careful when it was time to play.  Plus, look at that nice white bib.

A nice family saw my posts on the Southern Pines Animal Shelter Facebook page and MET ME at PetSmart when I took the gang over.  Bunny was adopted and is now living with Savannah (above) who is three and loves her new kitten.  Bunny's new "mom" said she's doing great and has learned to purr (something I had never heard her do at our house).  I am thrilled to know this sweet girl has a cat friend to grow up with.  I can't tell you how happy this picture makes me.

Isabelle: Named after Joan of Arc's mother...brave little mother of four kittens.  Strengths -- raising four active kittens, patience of a saint, and a strict disciplinarian.  I am hoping Isabelle finds someone who will properly spoil her after she had kittens at just seven months of age.  She is now fixed and ready for a life of luxury.

Peter: Last of his litter to open his eyes and get around well.  Strengths -- sitting on laps and receiving affection, chasing cat toys, being a social dude.  I worried about him early, and then Pete really grew on me.  I will miss his friendly demeanor and white socks.  He's going to make someone a really nice cat friend.

Jelly Bean: The strongest and most active of her litter from day one.  Strengths -- play time, hanging out with people asking for play time, and sitting around hoping for more play time.  Jelly (as I called her) is going to be a VERY long, lanky cat, and would you look at those ears?  She's got a ton of personality and will be so much fun for the family who adopts her.

Dear Prudence isn't ready for graduation yet.  But she's getting bigger and stronger every day.  And it's having extra little faces like these at home that makes it easier to let the bigger ones graduate.  I hope you had the time of your life, little ones!  Here's to many years of sunshine-y windows, cat treats, scratchy posts, and love and affection from your new owners.