It's the kitten time of year again on Hydra. Asproula (Whitey/Snowy, with 1 green eye and 1 blue eye that look really alien when you use a flash!) who is really only a kitten still herself, became a mother of four kittens yesterday (25th April 2007). Asproula is a stray/street cat of no fixed abode, but in spite of obvious physical abuse, (she's only got half a tail and that half has been broken in two places so it now sticks out at a funny angle), she is a very sweet natured, affectionate little cat with lots of character. Sadly attempts to have the island's vet neuter her were thwarted by the local toms who got there quicker than we managed. As she was already full of kittens the vet refused to operate.

Asproula's kittens born 25/04/07 on Hydra Island need homes in mid JuneMy point blank refusal to be introduced to Asproula despite my daughter's attempts to coerce me into taking alternative routes in the town just in case we might meet her, was all for nothing. Having found Asproula panting through the delivery of her fourth kitten and terrified at their prospects for survival, Harriet bundled them into a box and rushed them up to the house. "NO", I roared when she presented them to me in the kitchen, "absolutely not", "we can't afford it", "we've got too many already", I've got too much to do", "the house is already a zoo"!

Eny (tri-colour), Meany (white), Miny (white/ginger) and Mo (black/white)So we've named them Eny, Meany, Miny and Mo. They've now taken up residence with Asproula in our bathroom! Somehow I will manage I suppose.

The kittens will all need a home to go to when they are between 6 and 8 weeks old. (Mid June onwards)  So if you're coming to Hydra for a holiday and want to take a well cared for, house trained kitten that's used to being handled and used to children and dogs, home with you, PLEASE, please contact the editor. Dimitris the vet will be able to vaccinate and provide you with a cat box and all the paperwork you will need to travel within Europe (but not UK 'cause 6 months quarantine still applies).

There are more pictures here and I'll keep adding to the gallery each week so you can see them grow up and keep an eye on their progress. Not that I'm dangling a carrot or anything but I can't stand the thought of having 5 more cats in a tiny house that's already home to 2 cats, 2 dogs, a 50-year-old tortoise (who to my certain knowledge has just recently laid at least 15 eggs) plus 2 insane humans!