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Harriet and Abbie, around 7 weeks of age.

The sixth (N) OffBeat litter was born 27 March, 2007, and can hardly be called a "litter", since it was only one, single kitten. But that kitten was my long longed for Harriet! Her foster daughter, born one day after Harriet, we call Abbie.

Abbie is bred by the well known breeder Erik Gustavsson, with the prefix Thamos. Abbie's parents are IC Brunnbäckens Kitty's BangBang, ABY n, and GIC Thamos Habibah, ABY n. Pictures of Abbie will be published here along with the pictures of Harriet. If you have questions about Abyssinians or Abbie in particular, please contact Erik Gustavsson, either on his mobile: +47-930.03.702, or go to his website: thamos.no

Harriet's father is Firousi Undercoversecret, SIA d 21. He is owned by Veena Tveiten, (N) Attack's, and you will find her website here: Attacks

I will soon put out his pedigree here, but meanwhile you can see it at the Attack's website. His and Dixie's daughter Harriet, only have Siamese in her pedigree.

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

To see Harriet's father, click this link:

They are just so much more of themselves than they have ever been. Today I took them with me to the zoo shop to buy some more dry food. When I opened the bag at the counter they came rushing out to say hullo to everyone.
Do I need to say I was so proud of them?
People came to, amazed by these two kittens who seemed to own the store. Harriet and Abbie just enjoyed the fuss.
They are thirteen weeks old now. In about two weeks time they will be shown for the first time. I have great expectations for Abbie, who just gets more and more beautiful day by day. My hopes for Harriet are more modest; if she gets an EX 1 (FIFe-style), I will be so proud.

Harriet and Abbie playing in the garden.

Abbie has caught a stick she wants to kill.

Harriet didn't like me interrupting their sleep.

My darling Harriet, she's so much like her mother.

Harriet has developed the same kind of preferance to the shelf above my computer screen as her mother has.

During the last time Abbie has started talking a lot more than she used to. She's tougher than Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but she talks a lote more, of course . . .
Harriet is like always, talks, talks, talks and wants attention all the time. Abbie is more independent, sort of. She wants to be around, but she doesn't demand to be carried, or lifted up to get kisses as soon as she says something – although she doesn't mind being kissed, not at all.
Already 12 weeks old now. It's almost hard to believe? On the other hand, it feels like they have been here forever.

Harriet, 12 weeks old, and my dreamgirl.

She's a Siamese, if you do or if you don't please.

But she looks like a bunny quite often . . .

The light makes her look quite delicate?

Abbie is definitely an outdoor girl.

The garden is her best playground.

Abbie has grown a lot the last couple of weeks.

But even Abbie has to rest once in a while.

Abbie has become the most beautiful kitten I have ever seen, and probably ever will see. Her breeder visited the other day, and Abbie will be registered with the beautiful name Thamos Abigail. A name I think will suit her very well.
She and Harriet are everywhere now, the garden is their playground during day, and during night they career all over the house.

Thamos Abigail, Abbie has got her grown up name.

Abbie, still a baby, but developing an attitude.

She's very comfortable on the kitchen table.

Dixie's keeping a keen eye on her babies.

She's not a looker, my Harriet, but sometimes...

Harriet on the new cat blanket on the sofa.

One of their favourite places in the house.

Harriet and Abbie, so different, but so close.

Harriet and Abbie are now spending a lot of time in the garden, where they play, run, hide and attack insects and flowers and everything that moves.
Abbie still doesn't talk much, while Harriet talks all the time. They are so lovely together. I am so happy Abbie came to us!
Harriet has developed a more grown up look now, while Abbie still looks like a baby.

Harriet's eyes are deep blue. I like them a lot.

My Harriet, tough but kind, and so much fun!

Abbie tries to catch up with Harriet.

Abbie has discovered a little thing that moves.

Abbie loves to be out in the garden.

An Abyssinian in the grass, a perfect match!

Harriet and Abbie playing in the garden.

SingSang is curious, but Abbie couldn't care less.

Nothing is safe anymore. Harriet and Abbie are quicker than lightning, they are extremely agile, extremely curious and extremely loveable. We are enjoying every second with them, apart from the periods when we cannot do anything without having a kitten – or two – obstructing our every task.
But we can live with it . . .
Abbie continues to look gorgeous. Harriet looks a bit like a rabbit with kangaroo ambitions. She's got gorgeous eyes, though. And she is my baby, always on my lap when she's not playing or doing mischief, purring. And she talks! There isn't one single thing she doesn't feel the need to comment on.
When she finds herself suddenly alone in a room, she sits down, shouts and waits. She knows we will come running for her.
Abbie, on the other hand, only speaks when she has something important to say.

Little Abbie is getting an attitude, we think.

Abbie is always followed by her two "mothers".

She may be little, but she is a tough girl.

Harriet with her rabbit look. Oh, those ears . . .

Harriet has grown big, but Mum is bigger.

She has got a beautiful eyecolour.

Harriet and Dixie. Dixie is still in charge.

Nice girls keep themselves neat and tidy.

Olivia has really stepped in as a surrogate mother. The more her own pregnancy has progressed, the more interest she has shown in Harriet and Abbie. Dixie seems to be very grateful.

Harriet and Abbie are now racing up and down the stairs. They climb everywhere, they sleep in our bed and Abbie has developed a special interest for Tom's toes. The other night he was so tired he fell asleep while she was nibbling away at them, so when he woke up next morning he was a bit worried he would have no toes left. Alas, he had. So everything is well with his feet, and Abbie has so far not learned about how to behave in a bed shared with humans.
Harriet has become more and more Siamese in her behaviour. She calls out as soon as she cannot see where everybody has gone, she comments on everything, she starts talking like a spoilt brat whenever I'm on the phone etc. And she cannot endure to be left alone in a room! She has got to have company.
Abbie is more comfortable on her own. You can see her seek out an especially warm and quiet place to take a nap, and then she doesn't care if anyone follows her or accompanies her.

Still the sweetest there is, little Abbie.

Harriet, not quite as sweet, but very tortie!

Nosy neighbour; Harriet watching the street.

Harriet and Abbie have two mothers . . .

A couple of days ago Harriet managed to climb the little "fence" we had put in the doorway leading out to the staircase. Instead of building it higher, we decided to let them have full access to the rest of the house. They don't seem to have any trouble at all with the stairs...
The other cats are still not very happy with them. Our neutered boy Gabriel is the only one that has accepted the cruel fate of being invaded and harrassed by kittens.
However, kittens do sleep a lot, and then we can all rest.

Gabriel tries to figure out more about Abbie.

She wasn't very co-operative, though.

Gabriel doesn't mind the kittens, but . . .

. . . it can get too much when they keep coming.

Abbie can be quite determined at times.

Abbie is willing Tom to entertain her.

This is one impossible cat to photograph.

Harriet sleeps behind "auntie" Olivia.

Fast asleep, that's when it's easy to take pics.

Kittens fall asleep everywhere they are.

The preferred be at the moment; the heated one.

A bit unsharp, but Harriet is focused anyway.

The differences between Harriet and Abbie are now even more evident. Harriet is more pushy, more forward, sort of. She is the one shouting for attention as soon as she sees me, while Abbie sits down and only gives a little soft and very polite "squeak".
Abbie very quickly developed a more advanced motoricity, she had full control of her movements at a time when Harriet was like a clumsy toddler in comparison.
Abbie also has softer movements. She seems to be able to bend her body in totally incredible ways, while Harriet moves more like a little rough lion cub. Abbie moves like a balletdancer, while Harriet moves in a more "heavy" way. Harriet runs, leaps, attacks; Abbie does that too, but in a completely different way that is hard to describe. More elegant, perhaps?
Abbie still prefers Dixie's milk, but today she tasted some goat's milk. Harriet now tastes most of the food that is placed in front of her.

Harriet looks more and more like a Dixie-child.

She's got a lot from her father too, though.

Abbie keeps looking the same. Just beautiful.

Two very different sisters, fascinating to watch.

Harriet loves to lie in ambush . . .

Abbie's attacks are like dances; note her leg.

Not so elegant, Harriet, or what shall one say?

Weight and power over agility and elegance . . .

It becomes more and more interesting to watch how different Harriet and Abbie are from each other. While Abbie moves in a quick manner like a little squirrel, Harriet moves more like a big cat. While Harriet climbs the bed to get to places above the floor, Abbie seems to prefer the floorlevel.
Abbie was quick to learn where the proper place to pee is, Harriet still does it on the floor, on the duvet on the floor or she climbs the bed to do it there. The washing machine works day and night . . .
Harriet has tried to eat some baby dry food, or at least tasted it, but Abbie is not interested in anything else than Mum's milk.

First day out and Abbie loved it.

While Harriet kept close to me, Abbie explored.

Gabriel came to Dixie's aid, watching her babies.

Harriet wasn't as fond of "nature" as Abbie was.

Abbie with her lovely babyface.

Abbie with her serious face. So beautiful.

Abbie quite often looks like a monkey!

Harriet in the heated bed in my study.

Harriet is long, Abbie is short as a minute.

Their favourite place is on the duvet on the floor.

Harriet gets around, while Abbie prefers the floor.

Harriet, 4.5 weeks. She reminds me of Viktoria.

It's amazing to watch how fast they have developed during the third and fourth week. After they passed three weeks, they were ready for bigger challenges than being kept in the little "cave" Dixie had chosen for them. The doorway into their room was barred with a low shelf that the big cats easily jump over, but Harriet and Abbie still cannot climb or jump. By now they are exploring their room, playing and wrestling and seem to have a good time.
Abbie has begun to "speak" a lot more. Perhaps she is taking after Harriet, who speaks all the time?

Dixie giving Abbie a wash over.

Not exactly a catfight, but the girls are tough.

Abbie may be smaller, but she fights back!

Abbie gets out of the litter tray they'll start with.

Dixie keeping Harriet in place.

It's not that easy, walking on wobbly legs.

One of Abbie's faces; the "babe look".

Another Abbie-face: the "diva look".

This is part of their surroundings now.

Harriet is investigating her possibilities.

Little Abbie, 3.5 weeks old and still very babylike.

Harriet with her funny face. A fat baby.

Three weeks old already. I think this is the first time when I really feel the days have passed too quickly? Harriet and Abbie never cease to fascinate me. They are so different, yet so close to each other.
Abbie is quick, always curious and has already started to play in her very babylike way. Harriet is slow, heavy, fat as a walrus, also curious but has not at all Abbie's drive to investigate and to play. Somehow Harriet seems more like a baby, while Abbie already is a toddler?

Harriet gets her face done by Dixie.

While Abbie is exploring, Harriet relaxes.

Harriet looks more and more like a walrus.

I wonder what she will look like when grown up?

Nothing seems to escape Abbie. Attentive girl!

Lovely, lovely litte Abbie! She's such a darling.

No kitten can be more beautiful than Abbie?

Although Harriet is bigger, Abbie is rather fat, too.

Harriet and Abbie are now two weeks old. Abbie is by far the most of active of them, perhaps because she is smaller? While Harriet looks like a little walrus, Abbie looks like a little lemming, quick and alert.
They both enjoy to be cuddled with by now. Although Harriet still protests if she is lifted too high for her taste. She prefers to be cuddled close to my body or face. I don't know how much they can actually see, but it is obvious they do see something. They have also started to hear.

Abbie is truly a striking little girl.

Curious and fearless, that's little Abbie!

Abbie enjoys life and seems to smile all over.

Always on the lookout for what's happening!

Harriet's eyes are still sensitive to light.

It's almost impossible to photograph Harriet.

This is one reason why it's hard to take pics . . .

It's easier when they fall asleep while eating!

The first week has passed so quickly. Both Harriet and Abbie have become rather chubby. They seem to be very content and satisfied.
Harriet is the lively one. She is making lots of noices, a squeak for food, a squeak for tummylicking and small grunts just because she likes to be patted on her head, cheek and belly.
Harriet also "travels around" more in the kittenbox.
Abbie is the happy go-easy type. She seldom speaks, if she doesn't have a specific message, like "I'm hungry!", but she has constant smile on her face and she loves to lie in my hand. She is completely relaxed when I hold her, and seems to like it.
Harriet protested violently towards being lifted the first few days. She wriggled, she squeaked – while Abbie just enjoyed the warmth from my hand.
Harriet doesn't mind being lifted and held now, though.

Harriet 1 week old in her Mum's arms.

Unsharp pic, but Abbie is 1 week old here.

Abbie 4 days old, Harriet 5 days old.

We are so pleased we could borrow Abbie.

It's hardly to believe, but we are doubly blessed: Not only did Dixie give birth to our Harriet, but we got this extra blessing when we were offered to have Abbie as a foster kitten.

Abbie caught on to one of Dixie's tits immediately I put her there. She suckled and suckled, and at first Dixie looked a bit confused. Since Abbie just kept suckling, Dixie gave in and started to wash her. And that was that. Abbie, the gorgeous little Abyssinian girl, is now part of our family – at least until she gets old enough to leave us.

Both Harriet and Abbie seem to be rather hardheaded girls. Harriet protests strongly to anything she doesn't like, and Abbie fights as strongly to get what she wants.

I almost feel a little sorry for Dixie? She will get a hard time with these two strongwilled girls.

Dixie with her two girls, Harriet and Abbie.

Harriet one day old. Looks like a Siamese . . .

Lovely little Abbie, strong coloured and lovely.

Abbie walks, 1 day old, and already determined.

Abbie, 3 days old, shows what she's made of.

Harriet and Abbie sleeping after dinner.

Abbie looks like a Nubien princess, so beautiful.

Final proof Harriet is a she; she's a tortie.