The Purr Pages

Page 2
Bernie-The-Baby-Cat

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Our newest family member is Bernie. He was 8 weeks old when we brought him home on 12/12/97. He's the first kitty we've hand-chosen, as our previous kitties chose us:) He's my first experience with an itty-bitty-baby-kitty, and my first inside-only kitty as well.
We'd thought about getting a kitty for a while, and had visited the local animal shelters several times in 3 months looking for the kitty for us to no avail. Finally, one day we happened by a local pet shop. An employee knew a lady who had bottle-fed a litter of 6 kittens whose mama had been hit by a car. They were helping to place them as the lady had bought all the kittens' formula, ect from the pet shop. There were still 3 kittens left, they all had medium-length fur with little ear tufts.... Just what we'd hoped to find! There was a solid silver classic tabby boy, a dilute tortoiseshell (or blue cream) girl, and a brown & white classic tabby boy. We chose the 3rd kitten, I'm partial to tabbies with pink noses:)
When we took Bernie for his check-up, his new vet said he's almost an "XXY" or male calico. I guess that makes him a multi-color classic tabby boy! He has many shades of brown, from nearly black to pale beige. My favorite color is a rosy-brown. He also has grey fur on his left front leg, right hind leg, and grey tips on his cheeks below his ears. Definately a unique little boy:)
At 5 1/2 months, Bernie had received all of his kitten vaccinations, and was neutered. Although he's very unique, there are already too many kitties that need good homes.
Why Bernie? He's named after Bernie Taupin, Elton John's lyricist.
Below are photos of baby Bernie at 8 weeks and 9 1/2 weeks of age.

Baby Bernie #1 Baby Bernie #2
B'date: 10/18/97

tabby bar

Our itty-bitty-baby-kitty grew into quite a handsome adolescent! Although some people have asked if Bernie is a Maine Coon Cat (quite a compliment!), I think he looks more like a Norwegian Forest Cat. We know he's a DMH (domestic medium hair) random-bred kitty, but we jokingly call him our "faux Weegie". *VBG* In some photos, his eyes appear gold, but in real life they are a lovely shade of green.
Bernie is 13 weeks and 15 1/2 weeks of age in the next two photos....

Bernie on bed Bernie on chair

Aby masterpiece

Bernie in window
Bernie at 20 weeks
My attempt at a 'dramatic' photo!

Bernie on nest Bernie on floor
Bernie at 25 & 26 weeks.
Bernie asleep
Bernie at 28 weeks.

Bernie on box Poofy Bernie

Bernie in kitchen Bernie in lid
Bernie at 8 months to 10 months.

We feed our Bernie Nutro Natural Choice kitten food. After much comparison, we chose to use a natural, clumping kitty litter. Links to some natural and/or environmentally friendly kitty litters are now on the new Cat Information page.