Muffin and Jenkins in love aka cat breeding for novices!!!

I make no apologies for the fact that this will be the most basic, naive and novice blog about cat breeding EVER!!!! However, we have to learn somewhere and, for me, Muffin and Jenkins have been the "guinea pigs"!!

Jenkins arrived last Thursday - and he's a totally gorgeous boy! I can't get a picture that does him justice cos everytime I'm near him with the camera, he tries to nudge my hand for a cuddle so all the pictures come out close up and blurry!! He's got a fabulous personality and a wonderful nature and I think kittens from these 2 will be something special!

Anyway, I digress.....he arrived somewhat traumatised from a long trip up from London and refused to come out of his basket when we arrived. To cap it all, Muffin also stopped calling and it looked like it was all a dead loss.

By Friday Jenkins was much perkier and started to demonstrate his wonderful nature by coming to me for lots of cuddles and fuss - he and Muffin showed NO interest in each other at all....other than Muffin hissed at him if he got too close.

By the weekend, I'd decided that we had a very cute house guest for a few weeks but that Muffin and Jenkins were just not going to get it on.....plus being new to this myself, I had NO idea how to encourage them so I just went with gut instinct and decided that maybe Jenkins had to establish himself in the house and in a territory first. We gave the dining room over to him and that seemed a good ploy cos he became increasingly more confident in there - and when Muffin walked in he ran at her to scare her out.

This was the situation until Tuesday this week when Muffin starts yowling again and licking herself and generally looking flirty.....only she still wasn't showing any interest in Jenkins nor he in her! The debate in the house between Nick and I was around their sexuality ;o) Caitlin (our 9 year old) decided that "they just don't fancy each other" ;o) then yesterday (wednesday) things changed a little. The cats started hanging out a bit near each other....

Here's Jenkins and Muffin was lying down right in front of him....

Then started some nose rubbing and some bottom sniffing from Jenkins - ooo eeerrrrrrrr - maybe we're getting somewhere! We gave them some smelly fish cat food side by side, which they enjoyed, and Muffin wasn't hissing........but when I stayed with them, Jenkins kept coming to me for cuddles rather than paying attention to Muffin so, I shut the door on them both in one room.....

When I returned to the door after 10 minutes, I could hear cute little chirruping noises going on between them so I peered gingerly round the door and found Jenkins biting the back of Muffin's neck kind of "on board"!.....but I think I distracted them before they consummated the relationship....so I left them alone a bit longer. Eventually, BIG yowl from Muffin so........;o)

Today, they've been enjoying each others company all day - probably 6 or 7 times!!!!! ;o) Not that I wanted to be a voyeur but its fascinating to watch the courtship dance....until Jenkins just grabs her by the scruff of the neck that is!!! He's just doing what he needs to I guess....I caught them just before the act....I wouldn't take photos during....that would be gross!!

Well, they're now just kind of hanging out together and I'd say they're in love...

cute huh?

Here they are today....

Happily "married" Muffin and equally happy Jenkins....

I don't think I'm cut out for the pressure of encouraging fledgling cat romance on a regular basis but its been fun to help these two out!!!

So, watch this space 9 weeks from now......which incidentally is the 23rd of December which is also my birthday ;o) - I'm really hoping the birthday fairy brings me a litter of gorgeous cute healthy kittens with an equally healthy mum!

Bye for now....

Muffin collage!

muffin holding hands with izzy!

our very beautiful girl

tart - moi?!?!?!!!!

Izzy & Muffin - just look at those markings!

cuddly muffin with Caitie and Izzy

Muffin just LOVES fuss at the moment!

Muffin the rug's in the mood for love

I'd been feeling pretty smug cos I'd been warned about cat's calling when they come into season and, up till a couple of weeks ago, Muffin had been a quiet delight! Then, 2 weeks ago, we had a weekend of a bit more noise than usual and some definite signs of calling then, this weekend, she started on Friday and clearly doesn't know what to do with herself!!!!

She's MIAOWING so loudly I think she surprises herself and then she lies on the floor, on her back, like a sheepskin rug and then she walks around, dropping down on her front legs and waggling her bottom in the air!.....poor little thing!

The girls are enjoying her extreme friendliness and cuddliness at the moment - although the noise is less endearing! I've got some great photos of Muffin lying down in a rug like pose and being very cute and cuddly with the girls - you can also see how much she's grown and what a gorgeous big girl she is now!

I'll try to get the photos on later...bye for now!

i don't think Muffin needs to be ANY softer and fluffier!!

With the weather being a little unpredictable of late - from scorching hot to cold and torrentially raining - the tumble dryer had to go on again earlier in the week. I carted a huge load of washing out as soon as it beeped leaving the door open behind me...came back to close the door and found.....

Muffin getting cosy and comfy in a warm tumble dryer!!! Very cute!

I took a couple of close ups today - truly, for such a beautfiul animal she's no fan of the camera!! Modesty is good I guess but she looks away EVERY time I click!

I'd just been stroking her so she looks like she's having a bit of a "bad hair day" along her back! But look at that face!! What a gorgeous girl :o)

If you saw Springwatch at all recently and saw the glimpses filmed of the wild cat in Scotland, you'll get some idea of the size and colouring and markings of Muffin! A few people commented on the similarities - especially with her amazing huge fluffy tail! I know it may not be exactly "type" but she carries it very well and I think it suits her!

tolerant Muffin with her best friends

I've been trying to get a few photos at random moments when Muffin is either looking especially cute or being interactive with us all! This usually means they're just caught on my phone so not always the best quality but you'll get the idea ...

Muffin is very tolerant of being picked up and carted around! Whether that's by Nick (see above), Izzy (who is only 4 and Muffin dangles all over her arms! I'll try to catch that soon!) or Caitlin (see below). Caitlin is 9 but very tall for her age - this pic gives you some idea of how much Muffin has grown!

The "handleability" of Muffin is one of the best things about her. For the girls particularly its a real joy to have a cat that is happy to be picked up. Muffin joins in all their games, we often find her cast in a role in some make believe game like Cinderella! Those games work quite nicely (although I don't know if Muffin fully appreciates what she's doing!) - the girls are less impressed when she tries to play "fetch" with the Polly Pocket toys or the counters off Snakes and Ladders!!

The last 2 pictures hopefully show her amazing markings - so many of our friends comment on how beautiful she is - even those that aren't cat fans!

I showed her the pictures of her new half brothers and sisters (see Tikki's blog) but she wasn't at all impressed!! If they have the temperament of Muffin they'll be wonderful to have around!

look at her grow!!

Well our little kitten is just NOT SO LITTLE anymore! No-one can believe she's not even 6 months old yet :o)

Muffin continues to be a real pleasure in the house! When we come home from work or when we come downstairs in the morning we're greeted by a chorus of chirrups and twitters that clearly states "where have you been? I've missed you! I've saved my purple feather for you - can we play now?" and her toys are lined up across the floor ready to go!

Her purple feather toy is her favourite and she and Izzy (our 4 year old) play with it endlessly, Izzy dangling it and running up and down the hallway chased by the fluffy assassin Muffin! The purple debris across the carpet is less amusing!! Muffin has a range of "caves" to pounce from at unsuspecting pieces of paper, balls, bits of fluff, stringy bits, pen tops that the kids have left on the floor....she crouches, wiggles her bum and POUNCE.....it's caught in those big paws!

Our friends think she is quite amazing - especially the paws! Several have debated if she actually does have opposable thumbs cos of her extra toe...we're waiting to see if she learns to pick locks, drink from a cup and write with a pen!! Her markings are also quite stunning. The chestnut fur on her back is very clear and the fur on her legs is an amazing silvery colour with the stripes very clear against it. Her ears are still just gorgeous!

Enjoy a few more pics anyway - the poor cat is fed up with me constantly putting a camera in her face..... the price of beauty eh?!

Muffin in charge in Teesside

Just a couple of pics from my phone over the past couple of weeks - we can't believe how much Muffin has grown already!

She's now very settled and we're totally hooked on pixie-bobs! Whether its just her or the breed but she has some amazing and amusing qualities that we've not seen in our previous cats...

Muffin LOVES water! She sits on the side of the girls bath and paws at the bubbles or she sits on the side of the sink lapping at flowing water from the tap.

Muffin's very playful - loves playing fetch, playing with a ball or playing with her fluffy feather toy - and our daughters love to play with her. She's very gentle - she loves a bit of rough kitten play with Nick or I but, unlike our previous cats, her claws stay sheathed and she just bats us with her gorgeous big soft paws!

Muffin is always wherever we are - if she's not playing, she's just sat somewhere quietly near us - but not usually on us (tho she does like a little cuddle every now and then!). One of her best qualities is that she's never scratched the carpet - she scratches her post every few days but has left the carpet well alone - that's a big improvement on our last cat who shredded carpets and had to be banned from carpeted rooms! So, all is well and Muffin is continuing to grow and thrive...as you can see!

Muffin plays fetch!

Our first blog for Muffin needs to be a good one.... this is Muffin merrily playing fetch! She's a natural! We've been at it for 10 minutes at this point and she shows no sign of stopping!! We're very impressed with our talented new addition - and as you can see, she's already settled in well! Thanks Gertrud - we love her :o)

Muffin looking well settled in! Check that muzzle though!

Muffin is being fostered by Nikki, Nick and their two daughters Caitlin and Izzy. They'll be looking after Muffin and her offspring. She'll have kittens with Toby, fingers crossed, later this year.
 
 

Muffin's moved ooop North to live with Caitlin and Izzy

Muffin, we miss you! But it looks like she's taking over in no time at all!
 
 
 

Muffin has learned to catch and retrieve

It only took a few tries over lunch time today, when Muffin was carrying around a packet of tissues. After we'd thrown them for a few times, she worked out that much fun could be had by bringing back the tissues. Will try and catch it on video or picture, as proof that they can easily be trained. You just have to get your timing right! Muffin is coming up to 4 months old now. She's big and bold!

Muffin astounds me, with how grown up she looks at the age of 3 months!

 
 
 

Photos of Muffin at just over 3 months of age

Muffin is very large and her dark coat is beginning to turn a gorgeous chestnut rufus. Her tail reaches just to the floor, and might be showable! That would be fantastic. She's still got her massive lynx eartip and that wild expression. Her chin has now developed depth and strength, to go with the large boning. Can't wait to see babies out of Muffin and Toby!.
 
 
 
 

Muffin is developing a real wild look!

 
 
 

Best ear-tips ever and that wild look!

Muffin is large and gorgeous. I'm looking forward to babies from her with Toby (A Big Bad Boy du FarWest). Both have that wild lynx look, fabulous markings on their strong muzzles and are both very large. So their offspring should be something very special.
 
 
 
 

Watch video of Muffin and ShawT rumbling on the bed

We are not pleased!

She was very busy playing this morning, and very irritated to have to pose for photos!
 

Rodders 795 grams at 6 weeks old

that's 1lb 12oz. That's enormous for a girl! She's also got the larges eartips I've ever seen and that wild look!
 
 

5 weeks old and weighing 676 grams

Thats 1lb 8 oz! Massive for a girl.