While it may seem to be the depths of winter in Colorado, the girls of LostWoods are looking forward to spring and babies. Well, that is if I would just let them do something about their desire for babies! The chirps, meows, and screams that proclaim, “I want a man, NOW!” are becoming more demanding and Talia, especially, is becoming more desperate.

Talia is normally quiet and a bit standoffish. That is, she’s standoffish at home. Take her to a show and she’s a Princess and should be loved and admired by all. Just ask her! But at home, she’s perfectly happy to nap on the cat tree, watch the other cats play, snuggle with her babies (and sometimes the other kittens as well), and occasionally visit me for a quick head butt and ear rub at 4 in the morning. She will consent to stand (not sit – ever!) on my lap if I comb her for suitable length of time before petting her. But once the combing is done, she’s off to observe from a safe distance.

All that changes in the days leading up to Talia going into heat. She becomes more playful, chasing the other cats through the house and ferociously attacking the toy mice. She insists on more than just an ear rub or two early in the morning, head butting me and pushing her head under my hand repeatedly until I pet her. She even goes to Ken for snuggles – unheard of the rest of the time. She sleeps on the bed rather than under the bed at night.

Then the talking starts. At first, just a few chirps. Then the meows begin as she roams the house. She talks to everyone, as if asking them if they’ve seen someone who could be her boyfriend. It’s not really unpleasant – she still has a sweet, soft voice – and it’s a change from her usual silent self.

It is this stage that Talia is in now. She hasn’t yet begun screaming. But she has begun looking for someone, anyone, to be her boyfriend. She has learned that Zeke is completely incapable of doing anything more than looking at her in bewilderment and licking her head in sympathy. Brasen, who could be counted on to pay attention to her at least some of the time – even though he is neutered – has gone to live with his new family. Comet might as well be on another planet as over at Aunt Brenda’s house. And Peanut… well, he’s right there. In the dining room. In a cage. Calling to her, attesting to his willingness. A smarter cat (Shira, for example) would be sitting by the cage discussing escape plans with Peanut.

But not Talia. No, she’s never seen evidence that an escape is possible so she’s looking for a more accessible male. And it’s in this quest that she stoops to a new low… three little boys, just 11 weeks old.

Yes, Talia is convinced that one – or maybe all – of the Little Lion boys could be her boyfriend. She is stalking them, talking, licking, sniffing, head butting, and generally making a pest of herself. The boys first thought this was some weird new game Aunt Talia was playing and would pounce on her or snuggle up to her depending on their mood at the moment. But now, I think they’ve decided she’s just plain crazy and they have taken to completely ignoring her except at nap time when a good cuddle is always welcome.

For now, I’m just laughing at Talia, but soon the loud demands will start and I’ll have to exile her to the guest room in order to get some sleep at night. And maybe next time she starts to act extra loving, I’ll invite Comet to come visit her.