No joke with FIV – I recently lost an adult cat to FIV. He was a disputational sort of tomcat and apparently got bit by an infected cat as they scuffled. (My neighbor across the way has a whole mess of cats that run around half wild, that’s probably where the culprit came from.) Abby had previously been a big, gorgeous, healthy cat and he went downhill in very short order. The vet tells me that adult cats contracting FIV is rare but it does happen. It did happen here. So be careful.
Grumble on the all-black kitty thing. Inigo is just the biggest ball of personality, purr, and “pet me” around. We adopted him when he was 10mos old–his mother was actually adopted before he was. The whole “not adopted because he’s a black kitty” never occurred to me. He is just the best cat–we joke he’s a dog in a cat’s body. He comes when he’s called, walks on a leash, does tricks (okay, a trick–he sits up for a treat on command), and loves other cats.
Mija was a stray kitten around a friend’s backyard, starving and begging for both food and attention. She’s more tuxedo than black (obviously), but more black than Formal Kitty. She’s also quite, erm, nutty. I think spending those first 6mos or so starving to death did something to her cognititive development. Or something. Maybe she’s just nuts. Sweet (when she feels like it), but a bit nuts. And of course, we love her for it.
Bonus photo of the two big bad black kitties playing on a new cat tree.
Of course, this should mean Formal Kitty should join our brood–but I think growing up with Siamese cats has made me partial to Frank. Also, I’ve learned the most adventurous, active kitties (Intrepid!) are not necessarily what we’re looking for–he’ll be great fun, but I don’t need my house destroyed any more than the cats and preschooler already manage on a regular basis. Frank is a lapkitty who likes to watch (play, too, but mostly watch).
I fed them a disgusting gruel of KMR, soaked kitten chow, and about 1/3 can of wet kitten food. They inhaled it. They were also all over me–gone is the pathetic-to-amusing attempts at hissing, present is the purring and the playing. Awwwww.
Mr. S and I are thinking that someday, if/when we decide to get a house cat, we’d like to try to get a black one, in honor of the two black kitties we lost last winter. 
The sight of an all-black cat (or, as a few weeks ago, a black cat with a white star on his chest like Grimmy had) still makes me a little sad.
Black cats are the best - no white fur all over your black dress pants.
Ruffian, I love Inigo’s OMGNEWTOY! psycho-stance in your picture.
I thought I’d update everyone. The kittens all went to new homes yesterday. 
A college friend of mine I’ve become reacquainted with on Facebook was smitten by the photos, and while she couldn’t take any of the kittens (she already has three cats and a dog in a small house), she took it upon herself to find homes. Her brother had recently moved cross-country and had to leave his two cats behind (I think due to divorce, but don’t quote me), so he will be taking two of the littermates.
The other two are going to the family of a coworker of hers who’d had two cats, but both had recently died…they’ve been kitty-less for about six months or so.
My friend, who lives a good 2 hours away but was in the area for the U2 concert, came by yesterday to pick the kittens up and take them back home. There, her brother and the family would meet and be introduced to the four kittehs; they would watch them interact then determine which pair they are drawn toward.
She came with two of those cardboard Petco cat carriers, and left four kittens and some leftover kitten food–and our profound thanks. She’s going to update me on who adopted whom.
So, the kitten saga has ended. Next chapter: trapping mom and getting her spayed so we’re not doing this again in a few months.
Great news! You are good parents!
Yay for a happy ending! They are all soooooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute!
I want a second cat, but our lovely Lily is strictly an only kitty. We’ve had two other cats with her at different times (one got FIP - nasty disease, and the other died of kidney failure), and she just sort of faded in to the background. Now that she’s the only kitty, she’s outgoing, she’s a lap cat, she snuggles with us in bed. It’s great, and I don’t want her to go back to the shy, hiding kitty she is when she has to compete for attention. But I’d love to be able to take home a cute little kitten!
What a great ending to a great story, complete with kitten pictures!
You had me all excited - we are looking for a kitten and we are going to SoCal in November…
darnit!