Meet the protagonists of this furry story: Maple, a beautiful calico cat, and her precious kitten, Cider. They were discovered outside and taken to Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC). Little did anyone know, Maple was still carrying two more kittens in her belly.
Jenn, a dedicated foster volunteer, stepped in to provide a calm and comfortable environment for Maple to finish her labor. Sadly, only Cider survived despite their best efforts.
Maple was understandably bewildered by the sudden changes in her life, but she remained a loving and caring mother to Cider throughout it all. Jenn shared, “Despite what she’s been through with the loss of her babies, she is still so loving and sweet. Maple and Cider have such a special bond, and she’s a great mama to him.”
With a safe haven to nurture her kitten, Maple began to regain her playful spirit. She chirped at birds, rolled around, and engaged in playful antics like a kitten herself.
About a week later, a tiny orphaned kitten named Clove entered their lives. She was around the same age as Cider and in desperate need of companionship. The amazing veterinarian from MACC had been fostering Clove, ensuring her stability, and then asked Jenn if she’d consider taking her in.
Cider immediately welcomed Clove into their family, cuddling with her as if they’d been littermates from the start. While Maple was initially cautious, she gradually warmed up to Clove, becoming increasingly maternal.
Jenn was overjoyed when Maple gave Clove her first tentative lick on the head. Cider, being a chunky kitten, demonstrated how nursing worked by latching alongside Clove, showing her the ropes.
Clove, who had been bottle-fed from the beginning, continued to prefer bottle-feeding. She enjoyed all the family benefits of snuggling, cuddling, and grooming but had her meals separately.
Maple proved herself to be a devoted mother to both her kittens, responding immediately to their cries and attentively following their explorations around the room.
As Cider reached three weeks old, he transformed into an active and curious bundle of fluff. Playtime involved rolling, nibbling his tiny feet, and chasing his own tail. Of course, he never missed the chance to flop down on his mom’s belly for a quick snack.
Clove, observing her big brother, eagerly joined in the play and cherished her newfound family that showered her with love and guidance.
Jenn admired Maple’s attentive mothering skills, especially as the kittens grew older and more playful.
“I can’t wait for her to find an amazing family of her own, so she can be spoiled and pampered — she definitely deserves it.”
This touching story reminds us of the power of love, acceptance, and the extraordinary bonds that form in the world of feline families. If you want to follow Maple and her kittens’ journey, along with Jenn’s other fosters, you can find them on Instagram @nashfosterkittens.
