There has been no shortage of animals in our five years on the homestead. It’s practically been raining cats and dogs since we got here (not to mention chickens, deer, bear, elk, foxes, turkeys, and a hurricane of hummingbirds).
This spring, however, marks a big milestone for our family of homesteaders. We just welcomed our first-ever home-birthed brood.
In other words, Tiger is a mom to five little kittens. And with her, we feel that we have shared in the motherhood of the homestead; the protecting and nurturing of new life on this soil we have been entrusted with.
What have these kittens seen of the world in all their first four weeks?
The five little kittens were born on the freezing cold porch, at midnight, during the worst storm of the spring. Of course. If it hadn’t been for Yeti and Otis alerting us, Josh and I would have slept through until morning and who knows what would have happened to these little ones. One of the gray kitties was lying frozen on the ground by the time we got out to help Tiger. We were sick at the sight and thought the little mite was dead for sure. But with the help of a microwaved towel and lots of massaging, he revived and has fully thrived alongside his siblings. With a bit of difficulty, we successfully moved Tiger into a warm box and got her and the newborns into the shelter of the shed which has served as their nursery ever since.
Tiger (mama) at 7 weeks old 
Tiger (mama) and sister Curious 
Tiger (2 yrs) welcomes kittens 
Kittens at one day old 
Kittens at one day old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Tiger’s mini 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Kittens at four weeks old 
Tiger’s mini
Following their stormy delivery, the kittens enjoyed endless milk and cuddles for three weeks straight. This last week, however, has been fraught with wild adventure for the little whisker-snappers. First, they embarked on the massive migration out of their birth box and into the wide, wide gardening shed. Once emerged, they made instant besties with the lawn mower. Next, they challenged their milk-loving palates to embrace French cuisine with the addition of pâté to their diets, the box of cans doubling as a wonderful jungle gym. Mama, however, was concerned that her brood was getting spoiled on these foreign delicacies and brought in a humble, freshly-killed squirrel to introduce her kits to their mountain Montanan heritage. And don’t you forget it. The kittens took to their roots with relish and even saved behind the tail to keep in their box as a plush throw pillow.
In addition to all this, the five little kittens have also taken two great holidays out to the garden where they prowled fiercely after tiny bugs and light rays, all the while dodging the horrifying threats of boots and sharp twigs. When they couldn’t take any more terror, they took to the underside of the slide for safety.
And so, five little kittens have joined us this April– one for each of our five years on the homestead. How to describe them? Precious, fierce, vulnerable, miraculous, overwhelming, exhilarating, and altogether joyful. The kittens are, too.
Thank you for reading and following all our homestead adventures!
Love, ~Candace Arden
