It is with a heavy and confused heart....

[LionHart]

I can't believe I'm writing this. I was hoping that by now I would be able to post new pics of Tootie's babies that were born about 2 weeks ago. Well, there are no babies to photograph! This morning when I went to check on Tootie and the babies (feed, water, clean out the kennel, etc) I found Tootie with a mouth full of fur and BW laying lifeless in the box, black and white fur all around. Spike was lifeless in the little den we put in the kennel. I couldn't believe it! As soon as I opened the kennel door, Tootie left. (We did this every day so she could have her freedom and not feel like we were punishing her. She came back several times a day to check on the babies and then just lounge out on the patio. At night we put her up with fresh food, water, litter so she and the babies would be safe)

There are no signs of wounds, no blood... they were just....gone.

They hadn't been dead long. It was about midnight when we looked out and Tootie was nursing them. I found this at 9 this morning.

My roommate and I decided it best to remove the babies, the box, den, kennel... but now Miss Tootie keeps coming up on the patio were things were set up and look at us as though to say, where are my babies? It's heart breaking!

What happened? They seemed healthy, active.... Did we do the right thing cleaning things up so soon? Have we made things worse for Tootie?

Please pray for her and us.....

Thank you.....

Lori Be....

[lvpets2002]

Oh my my I am so sorry to have to read this.. Sorry for your loss.. You know sometimes the mom's know best.. Could be the babies had something wrong with them.. It is natural for the mom to kill babies that are weak or have health problems.. I am sure there was nothing you could have done.. However please get Miss Tootie Spayed now so this wont happen again ok.. RIP wittle ones & may you be with the Angels at RB now..

[moosmom]

What Lvpets2002 said!

[Laura's Babies]

So sad! I know your heart is broken but do not blame yourself or question anything you did. There is probably nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening so don't question what you may have done wrong..

You did exactly what any of the rest of us would have done. (((HUGS)))

[Taz_Zoee]

OH no, I am so sorry. I have heard that some cats (or dogs) just aren't good mothers. It's not your fault, it's just nature.
But I do hope you can get Tootie fixed so you won't have to possibly go through this heartache again.

RIP BW and Spike.

[Medusa]

Tootie may have known that something was amiss w/her kittens. When I rescued Pidge, her 3 kittens were born prematurely and she kept lying on top of them. She wasn't trying to nurse; she was trying to smother them. I had to remove them from her but they all died anyhow. But if that isn't the reason for Tootie's behavior, it still isn't something that you could've second guessed or that you can blame yourself for so try not to feel to badly about it. I know it's difficult, especially when you came upon such a scene as that but it wasn't something that you could've foreseen or you wouldn't have let them be together.

[Freedom]

Hugs to you, I am so sad just reading this, I can't imagine how you feel finding that situation.

RIP BW and Spike.

Please arrange to have Tootie spay, ok? She is LOVELY! Try to just enjoy her now.

[LionHart]

My room mate and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your kind and encouraging words re: the loss of BW and Spike earlier this week.

It was a rough week. The following day, Tuesday, Blackman, a scruffy, but beautiful guy we tamed to the point of being able to pet his head, was finally caught and taken to the vet's for the usual TNR, but sadly he tested possitive and was put down.

It really hit my room mate hard. She spends so much time and effort and TLC with these kids in making them adoptable. In fact the vet labled her the 'cat whisperer'.

My way of thinking is this is one less kitty who will suffer....

Now, we need some heavy duty prayers, good vibes, possitive thougths in catching Tootie. SHE'S IN HEAT!!! I saw her weaving that little butt today infront of a fellow we call Tigger. The little hussy! We get her then we've gotten all the females in the colony.

PS.... here's a pic of Blackman RIP

[Medusa]

Oh I am sorry to read about Blackman. RIP, handsome boy. It has been a rough week for you, hasn't it? Prayers are going up right now that you'll be able to trap Tootie before she gets pregnant. That's all you need. Tootie, you've got to stop that!!!

[LionHart]

Thanks Medusa.

Ellie, my room mate always tells Tootie to 'sit on it'! I hope she does until we catch her!

[Kirsten]

OMG, Lori, I just saw this, and it's just heartbreaking!

Must have been such a shock for you to come to her kennel and find the babies gone.

You will probably never find out what has happened. Maybe they were ill and Tootie just did what's a cat mommy's sad duty in such a case... Please don't blame yourself, I'm sure you did everything right. Sometimes Nature's ways are just mysterious and hard to understand, but I'm sure it made some sense...

R.I.P. little ones, you were very much loved while you were here on Earth!

Kirsten

[phesina]

I am so sorry. How very sad. Rest in peace, tiny kitties.

I lit a candle for the babies and for Tootie and Lori in their grief: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...ng&cid=8375097

[carole]

Wow you guy's are doing a great job, I am so sorry to read your post, and i can only imagine the heartache you are feeling right now, but as others have said maybe it was mean't to be for a reason, take heart in knowing you did your best and that is all one can do, hoping you catch kitty and can get her spayed in time, take care.