Ciri is expecting!

Mid August, a few days after my last blog we made a trip to Italy again and of course they all went with us again. It’s amazing how much you need to take with you for the cats. For the two dogs it’s not that much; their leashes, food, some toys and a cozy basket will do, but for the cats you need so much more. Carriers, litterboxes, cat litter, dustpan and broom because of the cat litter, several baskets, a schratching post and other scratching stuff, all kinds of food, all kinds of blankets to cover the couches etc etc…, the car is loaded and the smallest bags are the ones for our selves 🙂

After a trip of about seven hours we arrived at the holiday home near Cortona, Tuscany. It was a lovely place but the ultra-narrow forest road on the last kilometer was quite a challenge.

*Playing time on the stairs in the Holday home. We are very lucky that they adapt so quickly to the new environment everytime we travel with them*

*During our trips to places like Arezzo, Siena, Montepulciano, Cortona and Perugia the cats stayed in one of the two comfortable and airconditioned bedrooms*

*The Piazza Grande of Arezzo, a beautiful little town and not too crowded with visitors*

*The famous Piazza del Campo in Siena. It was 24 years ago since my last visit* *here but it felt like yesterday*

We had a wonderful week ❤

On friday October 24 we recieved the sad news that our previous lovely sorrel boy Massimo had passed away that morning. He suddenly developed kidney failure and his condition deteriorated rapidly. His family, with whom he lived for almost thirteen years, spared him further suffering. Massimo lived to be 15 and a half, a truly wonderful age. RIP sweetheart ❤

*Massimo only one week before acute renal failure proved fatal 😦*

Two days after this sad news Ciri went into heat. I still needed some time to decide whether I really dared to do it again, but the thoughts of Massimo helped me a bit. Because although he isn’t a direct relative of Ciri and her lover Belmonte, he too would live on in a new generation of this beautiful breed. So a few hours later we were on our way to Salzburg. Ciri and Belmonte still knew each other well and were very happy together again for a few days.

After we picked Ciri up again it was almost immediatly clear that it had been successful. We noticed little changes in her behaviour and she started to gain weight the week after. After three weeks her nipples became dark pink and a bit fuller, so then it was really certain.

*Ciri and her beautiful lover Belmonte Stradivaripuss*

On November 6th we had a special party, Kallima turned 16! Quite a very respectable age. And she has reached it in a good condition. Aside from the onset of kidney failure and some stiffness in her body, she’s still doing very well. She can still be playful and sometimes even gallops in the garden. We’re aware that her health can change quickly at this age, but we hope she can stay with us for a few more years.

*My sweet little Kallima, 16 years and still going strong!*

Meanwhile, it’s early December, and the days here are short and gray. The cats are indoors a lot, cozying up by the heater, or close to us…

Ciri is doing very well. She’s 5,5 weeks pregnant now so more than halfway. She has gained 550 grams which is perfect for this phase. She already likes to spend time in the guestroom where the whelping box is located, which she has already thoroughly inspected. She eats a lot and Leonardo is her favourite. To make sure we don’t run out during the holidays, I’ve bought a large supply 😉

We hope all goes well with Ciri over the next four weeks and with her delivery, which is scheduled just before the end of the year. A new update won’t be available until the new year, so I’d like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2026.