I thought that I would spend the next couple of days sharing about what to do and expect when a new kitten comes home. These are little things but when you think about it, they make a lot of sense. If you are unable to work at home and watch your kitten from the start, here are a few quick tips.

Make sure to keep the kitten on the same kitten food that your baby has been eating. With all of the excitement that your new little one will be going through, changing his or her food to start with will cause the kitten to have a bad case of diarrhea. More important, kitten do not weigh a lot when they are 10 - 12 weeks old. Russian Blues will weigh about 2 - 2.5 pounds. Now, if your kitten has diarrhea, they can lose a high percentage of their body weigh in a single day. Make sure if this happens, you call the person you received your kitten from immediately. They know the kitten and will know what to do.

Ask the person you are receiving your kitten from about the type of water your kitten is drinking. Is it city water, well water or bottled water. It is as important as the kittens food for the same reasons.

Did you ever think about where a kitten knows how to climb your stairs or were they raised in a single story home. This is something you really need to know. A kitten that does not have a concept of height needs to be taught if your home has stairs. Place the kitten on a step and then left them off the side (if possible) and lower them to the floor. Do this several times. Russian Blues are very smart, they will learn fast.

Thought for tonight. Kittens are like a three year old. Just sit on the floor and watch them. You will see. A three year old it is. No preconceived notions, just pure energy and joy.

Hi, I am Leslie Jolliff and welcome to my blog.  I would love to talk about my great world here in east Texas with my Russian Blues.   Around a dozen years ago my daughter Shannon and I started raising Russian Blue Cats as a hobby.  I needed to find a way to be a work at home mom during the day and a college student at night.  This was a great way to watch Shannon grow up.  One of the jokes here is that we bridged the teenage gap by cleaning and caring for our Russian Blues.  Who can’t argue over washing litterboxes.  It just doesn't work.

I know that there are many books out on the care of cats and kittens.  All of these books were written by someone who had a cat or was breeding cats or did research on cats.  But, let me tell you there no better life experience than that of giving up your home, life and love over to your Russian Blues.  Anyone who has ever owned a Russian will tell you that there just is no other breed to have after you have been owned by a Russian Blue.

I want to used this blog to teach both the young and old alike what the love for this breed means to me and what it can mean to them.  I once was going to write a book.  I was told that all of the examples that were given had to be proved three times.  I will tell you this up front, if I think that there is a hazard  to any of our loved ones, Russian or not, I will tell you without waiting on a second or third little one being harmed.  An example of this is simple.  When you buy new cloth toys, place the toy under running water and make sure that the dye does not run off into the water.  Our friend lost two of her Russian Blues who put their toy in their water bowl and then drank the blue dyed water.  They died within 72 hours.  I do not feel that we need to lose another loved one before I share this information.

Also, I am a little different in that I use the terms moms, dads and babies.  That is just what they are to me.  We are a family and anyone who has a Russian Blue will tell you, they are the head of your household.  If you don't believe me, when was the last time you picked your battle and your Russian won.  You know what I mean.  When you got your kitten you said "The kitten is not getting up on the kitchen cabinets.".  For most, that battle started as a good try on your part but in the end, you gave in and your babies favorite place to sit and watch you cook dinner is up on top of your kitchen cabinet next to the microwave.  Never fear, when it came to things that actually mattered in the long run and would have harmed your baby, you stood fast and you won that one.  We choose our battles and do win when it really matters.

As time goes on, I hope to help those who have Russian Blues and other breeds learn a little and laugh a lot.  Thought for today, if you are having a bad day, sit down, take a breathe and watch a kitten.  What ills you will melt away. Promise.

Smiles, Leslie