This is probably the one area that I am struggling to deal with.

The kitties are 13 weeks on Tuesday, and two of the 4 are off to new homes. I am excited for them both as they both have wonderful new homes to go to. Hobbs2004 is taking Lila and my mentor is having Chaz. I am happy about that, very much so.


But, the last couple of days I have been very teary. I am going to miss my girls very much. I feel like they have been part of my life for much longer than they have. I love them dearly. I can't bare to think of them crying for me, their mummy and their other 2 sisters ... I'm so sad to be sending them on their way, but then again I am also very happy and proud to have helped raise a wonderful couple of girls. My heart aches with pride, knowing they will make two very lovely ladies happy.

I know this is very silly of me, but I can't help it.

Those of you who have been breeding a while ... were you like this with your first litter? and please tell me it gets easier!

Maybe I'm not cut out for this breeding malarkey after all? I keep thinking ... I'm feeling like this after helping to raise a healthy litter of 4, what would I be like if on a future litter tragedy struck?

Yes it does get easier. Aren't you keeping a kitten?

Liz

If you didnt care about your babies it wouldnt hurt so much.I have no experience with kittens but do have with puppies I know how you feel,no matter who gets your little bundles you will always miss them but you are rightly proud of them and have given them the best start in life Nothing will prepare them more than the love they have had, So have a few tears, but also give yourself a big pat on the back you have raised 4 well adjusted happy ,healthy kittens with all they need to go on and live happy healthy lives.Well done

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I find it so hard every time and always have a cry when they go. I console myself with the fact I have tried to find them the best homes we can (interrogating would be owners etc); I make sure they go with a huge kitten pack - containing pretty much what they have had here and we always always deliver our kittens to their new homes - even though that is harder for me! Their owners know we are just a phone call/email away should they need us.

It is lovely when you get updates from the owners and hear how much they enjoy having their kittens - makes you feel proud to have been a part of it all!

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

I'm considering cat breeding in the future and understand this aspect would be a possible downside, but i guess knowing you have done a good job re the kittens start in life would outweigh the downside of having to give them away. At least i hope so anyway.

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Mum to Yitzach, my gorgeous moggie of 14 years....and Walter, my silver tabby BSH who is 6 months old.

I say goodbye to my kittens before taking them to new owners or their owners come for them. (This when I hold the kitten and have a little cry) I try to have a light atmosphere when they come for collection and most owners will realise that it is difficult for you, I always emphasise the impoertance of contact, they then leave and generally I cry for a good day. This is knowing they are all going to hand-picked "good" people.

Regarding having a litter where things do not go as planned, you generally deal with it in the best way you can and plan and move on to thinking of future litters.

Many breeders try to have 2 litters at the same time should anything go wrong, you have another mum there.

Have another litter or 2 then decide. It is a rollercoaster of emotions (for me anyway)!

When i bred cats it never got easier! Sorry to say! But i sobbed my heart out every time they went, i felt lost for ages after. But time is a healer.

Thankfully i am still in contact, even now, so that makes a massive difference. I know i gave my kittens the best start, as did you hun, and they went to super homes so that definately helps too.

I doubt i will breed again for a long long time if ever. But i hope i will be more mature about it if and when i ever did! Lol!

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4 of ours have just left and I did find it really hard - but it was a little easier than the 1st litter as I know you get updates of them being totally happy

The new owners this time all left really quickly with them - think that made it easier for me too.

D x

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MidnightStarSiberians

Yeah we are keeping two Tinks and Itty. This is probably what will help me through!

Lovely words, thank you very much

I'm looking forward to updates, and seeing them grow. I'm lucky that I will see both girls probably a lot more often than any future kitties. This will also help ease things this time.


You will feel pants, I can tell you now!

I think 2 litters on the go together would be a bit much for us. Though it is something we are thinking about for either late next year or early the following year. We shall see.

We are definately going to go ahead and let Rilly have another litter next year. I guess I will make my mind up about the other two little ladies when it gets nearer to the time.

Thanks

I guess it's one of those things you have to deal with. Weigh it up with the pro's and cons. It's just this part is the guaranteed part, everything else that could happen is not.

Big (((Hugs))) for you hun. Hope you're OK. Did you keep 2 in the end? I'm so glad we decided to.

Thanks all. Had a nice long hot bath, with that and your kind words I'll live to fight another day

I don't know your mentor....but if I had to pick a kitten home I think Hobbs would be top of my list!

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!