You've Got to be Kitten Me! [Video, OTA]

[kid_flash_found]

[The feed begins with everyone's favorite speedster grinning like a maniac, with a small bundle of
floof in his hands]

Some of you may have heard about this, but now that vaccines and worms and stuff are fully cleared, I wanted to introduce everyone to my newest housemate! He's a little clingy, so you'll probably see him hanging with me or Kon wherever we happen to be, so if you're allergic to cats, you might want to say so if we're planning to hang out so he can be with the other parent.

But yeah, he's the cutest, and he just wouldn't let go after being rescued. Poor guy clearly has abandonment issues, or at least doesn't like to be alone when he can be with someone. Still trying out names, but mostly he's just the fur-monster and besides, how can you not want to boop that snoot?

[And Bart suits his words to actions before letting the kitten climb up his shirt to perch on a shoulder.]

Anyway, I just wanted to say that he's the luckiest black cat in the world, and if you've never considered a pet, well, there are plenty that would love to consider you! I'm actually talking with a few of the shelters in Heropa to feature some of their older and special needs pets on my stream in the future so stay tuned for more!

Comments

Video

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh man, I call dibs on being on some of these featuring a pet streams. Maybe Limbic System needs a pet. I need to seriously consider that.

And do you need any help with the little fluffer-nutter?

Re: Video

[kid_flash_found]

We could always find you some nice senior who just needs a place with quality of life for however long. But yeah, you can definitely get involved. There probably won't be many puppies or kittens, since those nearly always get adopted right away. Folks are biased.

The big problem is that we really should start harness and leash training if this furry beast is going to insist on going everywhere with us, but nothing's small enough.

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm just not sure how Josh and Kav would take a new pet. But I would happily consider a feline.

Folks are idiots sometimes.

Send me more pictures for reference and I could make the little one a harness.

[kid_flash_found]

[A bunch of photos, several showing scales and what measurements Bart has managed to get of the little guy's barrel and neck and shoulders are attached to the next message. Including the required one of a kitten in an oversized coffee mug.]

We can always bring him over and see how everyone reacts. Fuzzball's a little odd in that he doesn't seem to mind changes in his surroundings as long as Kon or I are there, and actually seems to like the stimulation.

We're mostly focusing on keeping him occupied and stimulated in healthy ways so he doesn't have too much anxiety. Seems like if he's distracted at the right moment, everything's fine once the play session or trick or meal is over.

[helpdesk_hero]

Oh the poor thing. I will make sure the harness is snug for the chest and will make more as he grows. Compression, just a little, can help with animal anxiety.

[kid_flash_found]

Yeah, I've been reading up a fair bit on cat behavior to try to give him the right kind of help. We rescued him after he got wedged in where nobody could figure out how to get him out, probably looking for safety after someone dumped him.

Too young to really be on his own, too. But a couple of weeks of love have really helped. He doesn't cry half so much, except when he feels lost or alone. Or if it's about time for a meal.

[But the kitten is clearly comfortable as he half-climbs, half-leaps up to drape against Bart's neck on his shoulder, and Bart just puts a hand under the little butt until he isn't about to slide back down.]

Kon's had to stand in for a hot water bottle a lot. You should see them.

video;

[bifroster]

That kitten is ... yeah, at least 98% fluff. I am scientifically certain.

[LOOK AT THE LITTLE PAWS.]

But congrats on the new roommate! I could give some suggestions for names if you'd like.

[kid_flash_found]

[There are toe beans on the screen for a moment as the kitten tries to look closer at the person on the other side, but then he just mews up at Bart and snuggles in again]

We gave him a name for the vet, but it's mostly a joke, and I really want to find something he's interested in answering to.

Also, if the kid is 98% fluff, the rest of him is awfully dense. Not that he's stupid or anything. He learns pretty fast, when he can concentrate.

[With that, Bart demonstrates that the kitten already can do a high-five and a twirl before giving the little monster a treat.]

Seems only fair to keep his little mind off the big scary world.

[bifroster]

[Oh, that mew was precious.]

Hm. Sounds like you need to try everything, then.

[Her smile becomes wider when she sees him do tricks.]

He's going to be a nightmare when he gains a little more confidence. You sure you have everything breakable locked up from his curiosity?

[kid_flash_found]

I really hope he does. Got separated from mom way too young, and that's going to be hard to heal. We've put toddler-latches on all the cabinets already, and he can't quite climb the bookshelves yet. Not that we have a lot of breakables.

I'd be more worried about him chewing the cables, but we got some of that no-chew bandage wrap to bundle the ones for the entertainment room, and that seems to have made an impression.

[bifroster]

Oh, poor thing. He's in good hands.

[Even when he does gain the ability to climb and jump, she imagines it will be more cute than troublesome.]

Putting cables behind those cable covers or protectors for walls and floors should help as well. It won't be as appealing to chew on.

video

[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail has one cat in her lap and another next to her on the sofa.]

He's adorable. Congratulations on being a pet parent. What's his name?

[kid_flash_found]

In his case it's as much emotional support human as pet parent. He's got some anxiety issues we're working on. But no name yet. We both want one that really fits.

[am_i_a_monster]

He's lucky to have you then.  My first had some anxiety too, but you wouldn't know it now.  [She gives her cat a little pet.] That's cool.  My pets all came with their names. 

[kid_flash_found]

Kinda hard to come with a name when you don't really come from anywhere specific. I mean, we came up with something as a placeholder at the vet's office so they can call it out, but we wanted something that really fit.

[microbrobotics]

Okay, that might be the cutest kitten I've ever seen.

[kid_flash_found]

I think we got lucky and he's not cringing at all the new voices. Not sure he really gets the video calls, though.

[microbrobotics]

Yeah? You tried playing cat videos for him? Maybe you can train him.

[kid_flash_found]

He already does a few tricks like hi-fives.

[Bart demonstrates that, just because it's the kind of thing that apparently charms everyone. Himself included.]

Most of his training is more safety and attention-getting stuff. He's definitely getting leash-trained.

[microbrobotics]

[ Oh yeah, Hiro's charmed too. ]

Leash-training is tough. I tried with Mochi but he was way too lazy. Also I might have tried doing it while he was also wearing hover boots.

video;

[redcosmedic]

[ sounding extraordinarily reluctant to admit: ]

...all right, I can admit that it's cute.

[kid_flash_found]

Don't your people have pets? They're endless amusement and comfort.

More amusement right now, since he's a bundle of nerves with like three settings. Play, anxious mess, and sleep.

[redcosmedic]

[ with a long-suffering sigh: ] Yes, I understand the concept of pets. I just don't usually find organic ones very enticing.

[ Especially dogs. Dogs like to piss on tires. Knock Out draws the line at that. ]

[kid_flash_found]

What would you consider an inorganic pet? A Roomba?

[He's just...well, he knows that intelligent machine races exist, but most of them are already up at human-level or higher intelligence when he's met them. The idea of a robot dog is still too weird.]

People keep trying to create robot dogs. It's...sad, really.

[redcosmedic]

Don't be absurd, that's like the lowest tier of "dumb drone". Although I suppose some mecha do get attached to medibots...

Absurd. If you're going to create any mechanical creature, you might as well make it a cat.