Minnie was looking a little uncomfortable. She has had a really straightforward pregnancy following an encounter with the handsome Bonzer Stromboli. She has taken to stealing the 13 week old Burmese kittens and suckling them as though they were her own! 

We had a real surprise when today, one day early, Minnie gave birth to 9 kittens. Now I know Minnie was one of 8 kittens herself but 9 was a bit of a shock to both of us. They are doing fine at the moment but 2 of them are considerably smaller than the others. They all seem very content and at the moment she is feeding them in shifts.

Unfortunately, the 2 small ones didn't make it to the end of day 1. Mum rejected them and although I tried hard to intervene nature knew better than me! This photo on the right is what is called a 'Tonk pile'! This is the magnificent seven. Can you see the lovely tabby markings round their noses :-) 

Minnie's kits are now one week old and as you can see are developing beautifully. Minnie is a very proud mum and is looking after them very well. They are developing into strong, inquisitive kittens and 3 of them have got their eyes open already.

The kits are now 10 days old. Their eyes are opening and they respond really well to my voice and their mum's purring. They are putting on lots of weight and are developing lovely coats. I still have no idea what colours they are yet. it will be fun watching their coats develop. 

I think Minnie has got her paws full now. They are beginning to get into everything. You can really begin to see their colours developing and their characters. 

They are growing fast now. They love eating raw mince and enjoy playfighting with each other. This is the last picture in their kitten pen as just after this photo was taken mum moved them into the Snuggers moonshell. I'll put the pen away now till the next litter.

I have a feeling this beautiful chocolate girl might be staying. I was hoping to keep a girl from this litter and this one does seem to have something special. Mind you, I also love the brown tabby with the self coated pattern in the picture above, and the blue tabby, and the brown tabby :-))

The kittens are growing fast now and are into everything. I've got a feeling I won't get many more pictures where all 7 of them are in the same place! They are extremely affectionate little souls and have a habit of climbing up my legs if I'm not giving them enough attention.

Poor Minnie has a lot to put up with! They are so mischievous and are into everything. Genevieve, who is chewing mum's tail, is going to my good friend Helena in Exeter to keep Geraldine, from Kizzie's litter, company. They will both be having babies in the future :-)

I managed to get 6 of them to pose together. This is no mean feat now. The little one at the front that is waving at us is the little chocolate girl that is staying. They're all beautiful and are being booked fast!

They are developing into real characters now. They've been for their first injections and didn't seem too overawed by the experience. They certainly didn't have any adverse reactions. They were bouncing around shouting for food within an hour of arriving home!

I bought them one of these Whiskas beds and it was a great hit. They look very comfortable in there. It is really nice as some of their new mummies and daddies are coming to visit. It makes me smile because each time the visitors think they are coming to choose a kitten. Little do they know that it is the kitten that chooses them :-)

The kittens have had their last vaccinations and are ready to go to their new homes. They still love their mummy though and love to suckle from her even though they don't need her milk!!

If you would like to learn more about Tonkinese cats please visit the following sites

www.tonkinese.info

www.mymystic.com