I'm dedicating this blog to Eden's gorgeous kitten, Zara (not any more) because I guess even though I'm turning 70 next month - I still learn something every day.

![photo_20200703 11.28.16.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pandamama/4vWQ9wzU-photo_2020-07-032011.28.16.jpeg)
*January 2020*


One thing I found very amusing about Zara was that she had this tiny little voice - so her meowing could never be heard much and certainly did not even disturb my sleep.

![photo_20200703 11.28.29.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pandamama/QkINPf4Z-photo_2020-07-032011.28.29.jpeg)
*February - she'd already grown so much*

![photo_20200703 11.31.48.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pandamama/yXcvL6Gd-photo_2020-07-032011.31.48.jpeg)
*like most kittens she loved climbing into packets or boxes*



Two days ago she started yowling or crying in a full voice and I didn't know what was wrong.  I was really afraid because it looked like she was not able to get up on her back feet.

I took her to the vet who gave her an injection saying that she had a bit of a temperature.  That cost 15 Euros.  He didn't say anything about symptoms of a cat being on heat and just told me to bring her in sooner to be spayed as I had booked her in for sterilization on 9th July.

My son, Lee, googled and found the following information for me.  To be honest, along with relief that there was nothing wrong with her, I was a bit angry with the vet for not explaining what was happening to me.

>Chances are you’ve heard the phrase “like a cat in heat” before, but what does that mean? “In heat” refers to when a cat is fertile and ready to mate.

>A cat’s first heat happens when she hits puberty at six to 10 months old. Her oestrus cycle will usually last four to five days and, unless she becomes pregnant, she will be in heat again in roughly two to three weeks
*Taken from Advantage Pet Care*

This morning I had to take her in - not allowed her morning meal - and she was so subdued and well behaved that it broke my heart.   I left there in tears and will be collecting her at about 4pm.



More news in my next post.