"New arrivals" and thanks once more for all your sympathy

Granny Somerset: I insisted on kittens this time, as on average our cats have lived somewhere between 10 and 16 years. I am 70 now, so felt this was the last call for kittens.

The nearest cat and dog home told me rather rudely that I could in no circumstances have either a kitten or a young cat and tried hard to foist an 11 year old cat, who looked moribund to me onto us.

I know from relatives in the UK that various animal shelters offer older pet lovers the assurance that they will re-home a pet in the eventuality of it outliving its owner.

I also know that a lot of grown cats suddenly find themselves without a home - either because care facilities won't allow pets, or because of their owner's death.

So while I agree with you that kittens are probably not a wise choice once we are past 80 (I doubt I will be up to sitting on the floor playing with two kittens and a piece of string in 10 or 12 years' time) if you miss a cat, I am sure you can find an adult or even an old cat that needs a good home.

I shall keep you posted, and probably bore you all out of your minds about this pair!

I too have formerly had a female cat that was ginger - they are rarer than the ginger toms because according to genetics the orange gene has to be present in both sire and dam to give you a ginger female, while a queen who carries the orange gene can produce a ginger tom, even if the sire didn't have the orange gene.

I think it even works the other way too, in that Mr. Marmelade Orange can produce marmelade sons without the mother having the orange gene, but only orange daughters if she also carries the gene.

You never know what you will get, as they can be every colour under the sun with no hint of ginger in their coats and carry the orange gene.

We shan't be experimenting though, these two have the same sire but different dams, and I doubt my ability to place an entire litter of kittens. Also our next door neighbour has an entire tom and I don't want him fighting my Tigger, so when I take them to be chipped and vaccinated I shall be making enquires as to what age the vet prefers for neutering.

Lovely kittens.
When I was a little girl I had a female ginger cat called Marigold. For years after she died I planted marigolds in her memory. After that I mostly had brown tabbies, but my last cats were twin male gingers. Lovely cats. One lived to be very old, one was killed on the road whe he was 12. There wasn’t a mark on him, but he must have been knocked out fatally by a car.

I can’t have a cat where I live now, so I have a cat calendar with photos. Not the same!

They are gorgeous. Congratulations. I've always wanted a ginger cat too!

They look well settled. They know they have landed on their feet with you.

Glorious. I always wanted a ginger cat. Milo is black but Ripley has some ginger bits!

Aren’t they beautiful! There’s nothing better than a loving faithful cat or two on your lap.

Oh how beautiful! I’m missing my cat.

Auntieflo I always thought all ginger cats were male too!

Lovely kittens - I’m sure you’ll give them a good home and they’ll thrive on your love and care. I’ve a soft spot for gingers, although our last was a Maine Coon, who was daft as a brush. X

Congratulations GrandtanteJE65 on giving these beauties a loving home.
MayBee70, we always thought ginger cats were male, until we had one. When we thought he was hurt, making a lot of noise, and took him to the vet, we were told that he was a she! and calling for a mate. You learn something every day. ?

Thank you Joseanne. They were both far too young. Pets are important family members and make a house a home. grandtanteJE65 has embarked on a wonderful new chapter filled with fun and love.

I'm so glad GrandtanteJE65! I remember your sad news last time. These two look a whole lot of fun but also seem very pleased to have been chosen. There's nothing like a cat on your knee - unless it's two cats! Happy days. ??

Cute. I hope you enjoy their company every day.

Nannagarra that is so sad. We lost our 8 year old golden boy, and like grandetante the new kid on the block is going some way to healing our broken hearts.

Beautiful kittens grandetante you will have a lot of fun together.

I love black cats but have always wanted a ginger one. Although they do tend to be a bit vocal! When I moved into this house decades ago I heard someone rattle the letter box and it was the ginger cat from next door who had, at one time, had lived in this house. A friend of mine had a farm and many of her farm cats were ginger. Some of them were female which surprised me as I thought ginger cats were always male.

What beauties! Congratulations! I can’t believe how quickly they’ve settled.

We lost our 9 year old golden retriever on 27th May as she had septicaemia. It has left a huge dog-shaped hole in our hearts so it’s easy to understand the loss you felt. Your new kittens will be a joy, I’m sure.

They're lovely grandtante and I'm really pleased for you.

I lost my beautiful boy in March and am determined that I wont get another cat, but it's so hard and I miss him. We have our dogs and go away a lot which of course means having to put a cat in the cattery.

I had 5 at one time, he was my last.

How lovely.

GrannySomerset- some animal charities need foster homes- and/or will garantee to re-home in a loving and caring home, if and when.

I am so envious - lovely kittens and lots of fun to come. At 80 feel it unfair to embark on another cat as our last pair (black and white and ginger, unrelated females) lived to be 19. Keep us posted with pictures!

Oh, that’s just lovely! ????????

They look absolutely adorable and how lucky they are that you have given them a new home. I am sure they will bring you lots of love and joy!