For the past few months, we've had a stray cat hanging around the neighborhood. She discovered who the suckers (Kirk's term for people like Carrie who are a little overly compassionate) were and hung out mostly in their yards. Well, about a month ago, Carrie realized that the cat had become quite plump. She thought maybe it was because so many people were feeding it and didn't realize others were doing the same. But Carrie did think it was odd that she became so much fatter so quickly. She was talking to our good friend, Carey, about the cat and Carey, who is much more astute, said "maybe she's pregnant." Carrie thought that would definitely explain it, Kirk wasn't too convinced.

Last week, knowing the steamy forecast for the weekend, Carrie planned on calling a shelter and finding out if they could check if the cat was pregnant and what to do with her. Of course, we have so much going on getting ready for our baby that she never got around to it. We were relieved over the weekend that the cat seemed to be dealing with the heat fine and Kirk didn't give Carrie grief for giving the cat water. Well, on Sunday Carrie realized the cat was skinny again!!! Her immediate thought was that yes, the cat was pregnant and she had her babies somewhere! She looked in our backyard bushes but didn't see anything. She then followed the cat, but the cat just led her to another neighbor's house and showed Carrie the dishes they had set out for her. So that was the end of that hunt.

Now yesterday, Carrie was working at home and was in the basement and saw 3 people's legs walk by the window right next to our house. By the time Carrie could get upstairs, the people had left. Carrie thought that they were probably looking at the house next door which has been empty for months. But then a few hours later, she saw feet again!!! "What the heck???" she thought. So she was a bit quicker this time to get outside and asked the two girls if they needed something. The girls explained that the cat had kitties next to our house!!! We have these cement rectangular boxes stacked next to our house underneath the bushes and apparently the momma cat decided it was the best spot for giving birth! The cat had 4 kitties, 2 black and 2 tabby - so they look like our 2 cats!!! Momma is still around and keeping close watch over them.

We have called various shelters, all are inundated with cats and can't take them at this time. A few are willing to pay for shots, check-ups, and food if we can find a foster home. We definitely cannot have them inside because Hannah would probably move out and we have our plates full with getting ready for our own baby!!! If you or anyone you know either wants cats or can foster a cat family, PLEASE let us know. Momma has to stay with the kitties for 8 weeks we were told. After that time, the shelters are more apt to take them because many people who are looking to adopt a cat want a kitten.

An interesting thing Carrie found out while talking to neighbors is that two houses down, the people knew the cat was pregnant for sure and had set up a nice kennel with a blanket for her to give birth. They had been feeding her and petting her (something Kirk forbid Carrie to do). But Momma still picked us to "share" in her experience. Carrie thinks the cat knew Carrie was pregnant, too, and thought this was a more suitable location.

We have one other visitor, as well. A raccoon keeps stopping by in the middle of the night and getting into it with something. We fear that it might mess with the kitties so we hope to find a better temporary home for them.

We've got an Animal Planet show in our yard!!!