A sad tale

Just over 2 weeks ago my darling girl Saffi gave birth to 8 gorgeous kittens (4 white girls, 2 white boys, a brown tabby girl and a Tortie girl) . Unfortunately she delivered them several days early and all but 2 of them were so very very tiny. The other 2 were larger but still not as big as they should be. They seemed to be doing reasonably well so like the gushing proud idiot i am, I posted the news on facebook.

Then I entered one of the most painfull and heartbreaking few days of my life as one by one we lost the kittens. They were born on the Saturday evening and by the following Weds morning we had just the 2 largest remaining. I cried so much over the last few weeks (yes I cry, and I challenge anyone not to when they are burying tiny kittens for 3 days in a row) I took the post down from Facebook as it crushed me when someone excitedly commented on it.

It was then I got some emails asking probing questions from another breeder, and me being the obvious mug I am replied with the truth. We did everything we could to save the kittens but some things are just not meant to be. Apparently I am a "bad breeder" and "people are going to be warned about me"

I would just like to say this is totally unfair. I live for my cats and I try to do everything right by them. I have only lost one kitten up until now and that was a little girl called Cassie who was born with a hole in her heart. I cared for her and fed her every 2 hours for 3 weeks until she finally gave up the fight.The very next thing I did was get the dad neutered and the mum (once she had finished caring for her other kittens) as I never wanted to risk that happening again.

Sadly we lost one of the remaining 2 kittens, Ironically the same night that Buffy's litter was born. The remaining Kitten is a little tortie girl, she is absolutely adorable and growing bigger and stronger by the day and I am now start ing to believe she is going to make it. She and her mum are sleeping in a Kitten box by the side of my bed and we have a cctv camera on her so I can keep an eye on her at all times. I haven't put her up on the website yet as I don't want to tempt fate, it has been rather cruel to me lately :(

I just find it incredible that people can be so vitriolic knowing that I have just been through a living nightmare. I won't stop breeding because of some bitter person. The photos and emails I get from the slaves of my kittens are such a huge reward. Just knowing I have brought some happiness into the lives of total strangers (who go on to be good friends and members of the Milomaine family) is my reward, and of course getting to spend so much time with the most incredible breed of kittens on the face of the planet.

Why am I telling you all this, well I know how quickly bad news spreads and if you've heard something i just wanted to put the truth out there.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Best wishes to you all from a very hurt, weary, and sad Mick.

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of the kittens and the unwarranted reaction to it. It amazes me how some people find it easy to say hurtful things over the Internet that they would never say face to face. I hope you can let these comments go - they are not worth your energy. (Easier said than done.). I would not hesitate getting a kitten from you.

I am with you and hope that the future will be brighter.

Mick - you have been through a terrible ordeal and I'm sure you did everything you could for these kittens but arriving early they were always at a disadvantage :numb: This is something that will happen to every breeder at some point and in no way makes you a "bad" breeder. Tell this other breeder to keep their opinions to themselves and wind their neck in

mick ...so sorry to hear your sad tale ....some people can be so mean minded , it is obvious from your posts on here how much you care about your brood ...focus on the positives , i have the most amazing boy who was the only survivor of an early litter, he is now a healthy 18 month old happy loving ( unless im trying to groom his undercarriage) fur baby. Good luck with your tortie baby.

How charming someone can be so mean when you have had the devastating loss of a litter. They must feel great and so much superior as a breeder. Forget them. move on with your grief and in time have many happy, healthy litters.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a breeder on here who quite frankly was so superior as to be vile to other breeders and novice MC owners alike. Thankfully she is gone.

There will always be mean spirited people. As long as you know you are doing the best, forget the rest excepting professional advice.

Mick,
Your post is incredibly sad. So sorry for the loss of your kittens - and lets just hope that tortie girl continues to win through and provides comfort for her mum. I'm sure what happened to you could so easily have happened to any breeder. I can only imagine how you must be feeling. Hopefully forum members can provide at least some words of comfort during this time. Victoria x

That's a horrible thing to happen. This in no way sounds like you're a "bad breeder", it sounds like this other breeder jumped to a conclusion without thinking or having all the facts. If the litter just didn't develop properly due to whatever medical reason, then there's nothing that could have been done to prevent their demise. That's how things work with genetics, no one can predict what's going to happen.

The adage: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" was made before the internet and it's demons known as trollers and flamers.

I have felt your internet pain, Mick.

When people are anonymous, they often feel enabled to be very nasty and dastardly at sporting events, on the freeways, and the internet. In person, they probably would be too gutless to say what they said to you.

The last part of this article might be helpful > http://digitallife.today.com/_news/2012/10/13/14421580-top-10-ways-to-deal-with-the-internets-biggest-morons

I can totally understand if you delay announcements on future litters on your site or contact interest people privately.


Sort of related is this video of a teen that was cyber-bullied to the point she took her life last week. Yes, she made some foolish decisions, but does it merit her being run out of town?

http://youtu.be/ej7afkypUsc

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, it's so devastating to lose a kitten and must have been terrible seeing them all fade. Sometimes nature just isn't on our side.

I hope little tortie fights on through, they are known to be feisty!!
x

So sorry to read this Mick,for your sadness in loosing babes but so angry on your behalf that another breeder could be so nasty,I bet whoever it is couldn't "stand in a glass greenhouse"....
The main reason I wouldn't take up the chance of breeding from my last girl was because I have seen the tragic consequences that come from it,loosing a well loved pet {because to the good breeders that's what they are} from complications to also loosing babes both in the same situation as yours & suddenly a few days on for no apparent reason.
I admire the good breeders who give & do so much to provide us with our favourite breed,only wish everyone would be more careful where the furry came from but I know from just what you have put on here I am right behind you Mick & I am sure your reward this time is going to be a very feisty tortie girl,now that one will be a very special bundle for someone....xxx

What a sad thread, and its dreadful that people feel free to criticize others on the internet and say hurtful things without their target having any recourse. Most breeders unfortunately have instances like this at some stage, tragedy can strike at any time for any number of reasons though you rarely find out what they may be, and the worst thing afterwards is wondering what happened and whether anything could have been done to avoid it. Most often the answer is no, nothing could have been done and its just nature taking its course for whatever reason. If the breeder who upset Mick has really never had a similar experience, then he or she is very lucky indeed. I have, and I know that many of my breeder friends have too.

I hope the new litter is easing the pain somewhat, and I hope the last little girl continues to do well. Keep soldiering on Mick, and good luck.

Thank you all so much for your beautiful and reassuring comments. You guys really are amazing and I can't thank you enough.

You are all, of course, totally right in the fact that I shouldn't give up. Maybe that was breeders plan and by quitting I would be letting her beat me.

And here is the number one reason for me to carry on....

I would like you all to meet my little fighter, "Milomaine Amber Miracle"

I'm sorry it's a photo of her sleeping but she's awfully busy growing up and I didn't want to disturb her.

Oh bless.... as she is named does that mean you will be keeping her....x

Hi Jackie, that depends on if we can find an amazing home for her, but I know it's going to be awfully hard to let her go :/

Oh Mick, she is just stunning. Her fur is already looking all fluffy. What a gorgeous bundle, she'll be spoilt rotten of course! :P

Sorry to hear your sad news Mick and the terrible reaction. Amber miracle is beautiful x

Oh Mick! So sorry to hear of this tragic experience. I can't even imagine, as our furbabies are so precious to us. I can't really add much to what everyone else has said, just know that we all are here for you and support you. Ignore the "idiots" - as they are either very misguided or have cold-stone hearts.

BTW -- if I was closer, I'd love to take a gander at Amber-Miracle. What a treasure she is - and her story makes her that much more special!

Big hugs from the other side of the pond!

Oh my goodness what a sad story. Just terrible that it was made even worse by someone's cruel remarks. As a breeder (if that is even true) she should know better. I know from your many posts here and elsewhere that you adore your cats and will do anything for them. As the kittens came early - and it was a large litter - I am sure it was nature taking its course, tragically, and I know that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. I've often thought that it must take an awful lot of patience, love, care and nerve, to be a good breeder and I am certainly not cut out for it! But thank goodness some people are and I hope you will continue with your work.

Amber Miracle is simply gorgeous x

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Howlinbob

I've often thought that it must take an awful lot of patience, love, care and nerve, to be a good breeder and I am certainly not cut out for it! But thank goodness some people are

---

To be perfectly honest Howlinbob, If Amber hadn't survived and if Buffy's litter hadn't come along i'm pretty sure I would have called it a day. Being so focussed on making sure Buffy's kids and Amber are all ok really has really helped me deal with it. Plus all the amazing words of encouragement in this thread has eased the self-doubt I was experiencing.
I am fairly certain if anything like that does happen again, I'm am going to end up with 15 neutered housekitties, Once is bad enough, twice doesn't even bear thinking about.

Oh and I'm spending waaaay too much time with Amber, she even looks at me when I call her now and she's not even 3 weeks old...scary!! :) x

Lovely to see a photo of your special little girl. And looking forward to seeing more as she grows and develops. And fingers crossed you will never have to go through such a horrible time again x

Had a very busy week and just read up on this now...
Mick, Im am so sorry for you and for mum Saffi. Don’t let the unpleasantness on FB get you down… there will always be saddos who don’t think before they talk - that's because they aren’t capable of thinking at all.
Fortunately you have your Amber Miracle girl and Buffy’s cuties to cheer you up. Looking forward to lots of updates about them. :)

Here she is, the little munchkin x

Attachment 6439Attachment 6440Attachment 6441

bless her ...keep posting pics she is a lovely babe.....

She's adorable Mick. How's her mum bearing up after losing so many? xxx

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Howlinbob

She's adorable Mick. How's her mum bearing up after losing so many? xxx

---

Saffi is absolutely fantastic, although she's very protective over Amber which is understandable I guess.
She's pretty much back to her old chirpy, ear-nibbling, neck-hugging self.
It's wonderful to see. x

Well my wife said it was time to start looking for a home for Amber. So I put ads in "Autotrader", "What Camera", "Locomotives Monthly" and the "Borneo Gazette" and after 30 mins I had had no replies. So I decided that seeing as nobody wanted her, she should stay with us. She is going to live with us and the other House kitties and get spoilt rotten :)

Attachment 6492Attachment 6493

Just love your choices for the advert,just can't think why you had no replies & after all that time as well.....!Just love that "Hey look at me being a big girl" second photo & love even more your decision to keep her,how could your wife ever thought of anything other than her staying,will look forward to more photos as she grows...xxx

Ahhhh, she stays . . . . as it should be. She's a very special girl (and you tried so hard to find her a home)! Congrats on the wonderful decision!

What a very beautiful & special little girl - fantastic news that she's going to be spoilt rotten - no more than she deserves :nod:

My special little girl is looking stunning (well I would say that wouldn't I :) )

Attachment 6535

She's so beautiful - really love her expression :nod:

You are right though,she is....xxx

Love her - who could resist this face?!?!? You definitely made the right decision!

Glad to hear that she is staying to be spoilt by her dad ! She is growing into a smasher !

Can I just say your cats are beautiful. I love your website and especially the humourous little profiles of your feline family, it is obvious how much you love them all and appreciate their individual characters. Glad you're keeping the little girl, she is sweet. x

Sorry to drag up this old thread but I thought you all might like to see how Amber is doing :)
Attachment 6753
I know I'm biased but she is absolutely gorgeous, and such a character!

I think you should add "Happy Ending" to this sad tale Mick she is gorgeous,so pleased you have updated us on Amber....xxx