CATS

LITTERS

GALLERY

PEOPLE

FEATURES

LINKS

HOME

Viktoria taking a walk, three weeks old.

The fifth (N) OffBeat litter was born 5 May 2006. The parents are (N) OffBeat Mogens, OSH bs 25, and Littlefeat Dixie Chick, SIA h.

Dixie never went into labour and when ultrasound showed that one of the kittens had a slower heart rate than the other, we decided to do a c-section immediately. As expected she had only two kittens. They were not particularly small, but very thin when born. The boy weighed 110 gr, the girl 92 gr.

To see pictures of them, scroll down this page. Click any of the small images to get it larger and with correct proportions.

To see their father, click this link:

Olivia (left), soon 4 months old, together with Viktoria, 3 months old.

Viktoria still lacks visible red in her points, but nevertheless I still think she is a chocolate tortie. She has grown a lot lately, but hasn't changed her ways much. Still the little "squeaker", and stubborn as stubborn gets.
Mikkel is our little darling. Everyone loves him at first sight. He's such an adorable little boy, neither Tom nor I want to part with him, but we have to. It's heartbreaking to think about not having him around any longer. Hopefully he will move to a lady not that far away, so that we can keep in contact with him. Viktoria will continue to be my cat even though she will be living together with another family. After her first litter, the ownership will be transferred to this family. My plan is to mate her with Noah from SingSang's litter.

Mikkel plays with everything from rocks to sticks. Here he is chewing something he found in the garden. (Photo: Inger Marie Meling).

Viktoria on a hot day, sleeping inside.

Viktoria sleeping outside on a hot day.

Mikkel, our darling kitten. (Photo: Inger M. Meling)

Viktoria with Olivia in the bathroom window.

Mikkel, 12 weeks old. Everyone loves him. He is completely fearless, totally devoted to everybody and has a very positive attitude.

Mikkel is the first to say welcome to guests, every new thing, toy or other things, makes him so happy and you can see a big smile on his face. He looks constantly surprised; as if everything that happens is a very pleasing surprise to him. Mikkel is a kitten with a very positive attitude, indeed.
His sister Viktoria is quite unlike him. She's the sweet little innocent who squeaks when she wants something and attacks your feet when she thinks you don't see it's her doing it.

Viktoria, 12 weeks old, concentrating big time on a fly.

Lovely Mikkel, smart, fearless and adorable.

Viktoria still looks very much like a baby.

She's not a small kitten, though. Olivia in front.

Viktoria is a little sweetie, but with a strong will.

Viktoria, 11 weeks old, is the sweetest kitten I've ever had. Here she is caressing Olivia, who is two weeks older and is a taker more than a giver.

Viktoria is still the little girlie who squeaks to get attention, but she has a maternal inclination; she loves everybody, and she loves to take care of the others the way her own mother has taught her.
Mikkel has developed a habit of purring whatever he does, except when he is fighting and playing. He is completely fearless, and tried to beat up my mother's dog when they came visiting. The dog barked at him, and Mikkel hopped towards her, back raised, fur raised and to top it all; his right paw raised to deliver a fatal blow.
To be on the safe side we stepped between them – we wouldn't risk him putting my mother's dog down . . .

Viktoria has a very nice, deep blue eye colour.

Mikkel's babycoat hides his spots.

I think Mikkel's eye colour will become deep green.

Dixie, taking care of both Olivia and Viktoria.

My mother fell in love with Mikkel.

Mikkel usually charms everyone.

Viktoria squeaks her way into people's hearts.

Like most girls, however, Viktoria goes for it.

Olivia might be bigger, but Viktoria knows how to make her stand. And her brother Mikkel, patting her back, supports her.

Mikkel and Viktoria are something on their own. Not comparable to the other kittens. Viktoria is a girlie who can outsmart even the grimmest Olivia, but she seldom does because she doesn't have to. A little squeak from Viktoria, and everybody comes running and everybody takes concern.
Mikkel continues to wrestle and cuddle his way through this world. He always looks surprised somehow, as if he never could anticipate how things would develop. Lately he has adopted Lance's way of growling while trying to kill a knitted mouse or something else he fancies to kill at the moment.

Mikkel looks weird, but why does he?

Mikkel can look rather elegant if he wants to.

Sometimes she looks like a fox, or a cute moggy.

Viktoria's got deep blue eyes, though.

Mikkel is probably the most outgoing kitten we've had so far. He is completely fearless, totally at ease with everything and everyone.

Viktoria and Mikkel are always looking for company. Viktoria has developed a little girlish squeak to get attention, and it is, I have to admit, very effective. Apart from the squeak, she's a brave little girl, but so lovely in her ways that everyone just adores her at first sight and encounter.
Mikkel is the one running down the stairs to greet guests. He starts purring before they've even had time to pat him on his odd little head. He is totally fearless; jumps, climbs and wrestles anything. He's still got the longest tail flying behind him like a thin, red thread.

Viktoria will, by all telltails, become a tortie?

Mikkel is an odd looking boy, but so sweet.

Viktoria's a girl, and very keen on her looks.

We all wonder what Viktoria will look like...

It's very interesting to compare Mikkel and Viktoria with the two weeks older Olivia, Lance and Noah. Mikkel is the one who started hanging in my trouser's legs almost before he could walk, and Viktoria is so far the only kitten in the house that had to be rescued from a curtain. She was hanging half way up to the ceiling, and it was an abyss down to the floor.
At the same time, Viktoria is the sweetest, most well behaved little girl one could imagine. Very close to her mother, and does what mummy tells her to – more or less.
While SingSang's kittens despite a high activity level, don't seem completely wild, Mikkel is a little guy aspiring to be a gang member. He is constantly running with the bigger kittens, leaving Viktoria to her mother.
However, Viktoria has lately started to come after him. And since she is a skilled climber, I guess she can teach the rest a trick or two. Poor us! Maybe curtains are history in a couple of days?

At 7 weeks of age, little Viktoria looks foxy?

She's the sweetest of kittens, despite her looks.

Mikkel, however, is the wildest of them all.

He's high and low, except when he sleeps.

The kittens have now started to show a genuine interest for each other.

Viktoria was found hanging in one of the curtains in the lounge the other day. She is so far the only kitten we have had that has shown an interest for that type of climbing. Mikkel is more into chasing, fighting and always looking for company.
It's interesting to have two litters two weeks apart. It's amazing to compare the two, and study how much that actually happens within a week or two.

Mikkel 6 weeks old. I think he's coming on nicely.

Viktoria 6 weeks old. Sweet and kind.

Viktoria wants to play with her mum, Dixie.

Lance and Viktoria kissing. Lance is 2 weeks older.

Dixie and Mikkel in our bed. Dixie's preferred "kitten pen".

Viktoria and Mikkel are very active now, running, jumping, playing and fighting each other. At the same time they are so cuddly. No wonder, perhaps, since they've lived in our bed and bedroom for the last week or more. That's where Dixie decided to have them, and one cannot argue with Dixie.
Mikkel is a soft guy. Always up for a good cuddle. Viktoria too, but she's more into fighting than he is. Perhaps she wants to prove that girls are the toughest? And smartest...

Typically Viktoria, looking so sweet.

Mikkel is the one who is truly sweet, though.

The way girls are; poor little sweet boys!

But you shouldn't mess with sweet boys . . .

I think I have finally decided on names. Viktoria is Viktoria, and her brother is (probably) Mikkel. Mikkel is a Norwegian name often connected to foxes (Michael Fox, sort of...), and my impression of Mikkel is that he is not only red like a fox, he is also smart like a fox.
Viktoria is still kind of a romantic type. Very cuddly, but also very curious. She has a babylike way of being. So cute! Both of them are very sweet to be with. They have started to play and "fight", but they are no way near the ferosity that SingSang's kittens show. However, they are two weeks younger than SingSang's kittens, so who knows what they will be like in two weeks' time?
Anyway, Dixie has trouble now. She wants to keep them under control, but they want to bend the rules.

Mikkel is a real, red sweetie.

Sometimes he looks a bit like a fox?

Mikkel smells something, a prey maybe?

Mikkel watches his sister, waiting for answers?

Viktoria, 4 weeks old, has not yet decided . . .

. . . what she'll be when she's grown up.

Usually her eyes are almond shaped, but . . .

. . . not when the camera is bothering her?

The red boy a couple of days before his 3 weeks birthday.

Dixie's babies are completely different from SingSang's, personalitywise. Dixie's kittens are mild, very easy to handle, they seem to be grateful just to be cuddled with? And they love to do their funny walks on the bed.
They are growing and seem to be very happy, somehow. Dixie is a very caring mother.
I haven't found a suitable name for the red boy yet. He is a bit special, he deserves a special name. He's spotted, with the underlying pattern being classic tabby (blotched). Whether he has silver or not, I don't know yet.

Not a good picture, but she's listening.

Viktoria is a calm, relaxed investigator of things.

She has romantic quality about her, I think.

She could almost have been a Brontë-sister?

He just accepts everything, this boy.

I like the shape of his eyes their deep colour.

His head is long and his chin good.

Maybe he should be called Redford?

Two weeks old Friday 19th of May, and they are now able to walk a bit on very wobbly legs. They have longer moments when they are awake, and they seem to be able to see already. Don't know if they have started to hear yet, but it could seem like it? Anyway, they are very pleased when I hold them in my hand and cuddle them.

The red boy has a very long tail.

The girl is now called Viktoria.

Viktoria again, such a sweet girl.

Dixie with her babies, so happy!

Dixie's babies are the nicest ever born in this house? They are so sweet, so loveable. When I lift them up, they relax in my hands. They so like to be patted, stroked and handled. And Dixie is so very proud of them!

They grow like any other kitten. Putting on weight as they shall, behaving like they are supposed to, that is: Being very nice!
I think the red boy will become very nice. Maybe the most beautiful kitten born in my home so far? But time will show. He is only one week old.

Maybe he should be called Marx? He is so red.

The girl doesn't like the bright light.

Red boy, sound asleep. He seems to be a calm type.

While the boy sleeps, the girl eats. Clever girl!

We waited and we waited, but Dixie just kept on going. She was fine, but Friday morning 5 May, she had some discharge. Took her to the vets for an ultrasound. We found that one kitten didn't like it in there any longer. This was on the 70th day counted from the first day of mating.
One hour later the Cæsarian section was made, and one red boy and one Siamese girl were born. The girl had a rough start. She was more or less dead, but after 35 minutes of massage she came to.

I'm writing this Monday 8 May, and both of them are growing, putting on weight and look like all kittens do when three days old. They started to open their eyes the day after they were born.

Their weights when born:
The red Oriental boy 110 gr, the Siamese girl 92 gr.

Red boy, first born. Picture taken same day.

The girl barely survived. Picture taken 5 May.

They were both quick to start suckling.

The girl eats, sleeps, eats, and sleeps.