Thursday, November 12, 2015

fostering

*a post by the mom

Some mornings, the alarm goes off and you get out of bed, kiss the resident pets, care for the fosters, realize it is a good day and move forward.

Other days, the alarm goes off and you want to - and sometimes do - pull the covers over your head. You lay there, thinking of all the things that have gone badly in the past few days. Sick kittens, ornery people...it gets tiring.

Why do people complain about things without knowing what they are talking about? It gets so hard to listen to people saying "just take one more what's the big deal" when they have obviously never volunteered in rescue. It is hard seeing things on social media like "we hope it works out". How about you DO something besides hope?

You lay there and think about the last group of kittens you offered to foster....they looked fine, acted fine, and within 10 day all of them passed away from something. No idea what. And you struggled for days to try to keep them healthy and alive...and then watched them leave this planet. You know you did your best and offered them safety and love....but that really isn't enough to heal your heart and get you out of bed.

You have the overwhelming urge to just lay there and feel sorry for yourself. Or be angry at the world. Or both....

And then a resident cat sticks a nose under the covers. Maybe trying to comfort you. More likely wondering when the heck you intend to get up and provide breakfast.

You hear kittens banging on a closed door - demanding breakfast and release from their overnight room.

You remember that for every person out there with no respect, there are the people who come in to adopt or make a donation that are happy your organization exists.

And for every kitten that doesn't survive, there are so many more that did and got that opportunity because you chose to open your door and help.

And so you throw back the covers, kiss a cat, release the kittens and start your day. Maybe this will be a good one....maybe not. But there are lives to be saved, adoptions to be done and food dishes to be filled. (plus the job expects you there on time, but that is a whole other thing)


**The last apple kitten, Gala, passed away on 11/5. While I have had the occasional kitten die in my care, this is the first time I have ever lost an entire litter. Every loss is heartbreaking....this was harder. And yet, as harsh as it sounds, life does go on. The nuts still need care and are getting bigger by the day. Tostada and Reno are at an adoption center in a local pet store waiting for their forever families. Nashville is running around the house - being sure to sneeze on me whenever I tell him he needs to get to our adoption center. I will never lie about this - foster can be so very hard some days. And other days, I sit and watch kittens tumble over each other as they play and know that every hard moment is worth it.

*there have been questions about sharing this post - feel free to share anything you see here so long as you link to the blog and give us credit. 

23 comments:

  1. Oh, Jeanne, I'm sorry Gala died, that the entire litter died. I can't pretend to know what it's like to foster, but please never lose the knowledge that YOU are making such a difference in this world, to so many Beings. Beings who are not "lesser" in intelligence or worth than humans, but Beings through whom spirit/the universe/consciousness shines as surely as it shines through everything and everyone.

    Lots of hugs and purrs to you.

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  2. What you've written should go viral and be read by a wide audience. What you expressed is eloquently said. You are giving hope to those kittens who had little, and I know it's only words but even the litter that was lost had some purpose and although they were here on this Earth for a very short time, their lives mattered. I am so very very sorry about Gala.

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  3. RIP Lil Gala! And I agree with Angel Abbygrace...this should go out into the web. I would be happy to post to my Facebook, if you are okay with that. Otherwise, we know the incredible highs and lows of fostering, and I pray that one day I too can make that commitment. I respect and honor your sacrifice and work, although it's just words written here. Wish you could see into my heart, and the hearts of all of us who follow you and are sending you warm energy and love.

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  4. What a wonderful post!
    Every one should have the chance to read this!

    Noodle and crew

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  5. You are a very strong woman for being able to foster. I really mean that. I cannot imagine having to give up the kittens I cared for - even if they were going to good homes. And having a kitten pass away is just so heartbreaking. Thank you so much for all that you do to help kittens! You are amazing. <3

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    1. thanks...it helps to hear that sometimes to get the "negative" out of my head :)

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  6. Sometimes it's very hard, particularly when all that you do isn't enough. It's frustrating and infuriating, and even thinking about all the ones you helped and saved doesn't make the loss of a single life easier. But if it were not for you and people like you, thousands, perhaps millions, of lives would be lost. Good people are why there is joy in the world.

    Godspeed, Apples.

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    1. you too John....opening your heart and home to fosters can be hard but rewarding

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  7. What a wonderful post ! We think only strong people like you are able to foster. You express so well what you feel and how fostering can be hard and highly satisfying at the same time. Paws up for all you do for kittens ! Purrs

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  8. I'm so sorry about the kittens that died... clearly it was something you couldn't save them from, but even knowing that, it doesn't make it any easier. But I'm so glad you were there for them, and continue to be there for kittens and cats who are still with us, and who need care until the right home comes along.

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  9. This.. yes.. absolutely.. and wouldn't it be nice if this went viral.. it should.

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  10. Jeanne, you are just amazing in that you do so much for all the cats. It was very very sad about all the three apple kittens dying. I think sometimes these kittens are just born with things that just can't be treated and luckily it doen't happen often. You are a strong and good person.

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  11. Jeanne, You already know how much I admire you for all you do. That will never change and I would be dropping with exhaustion if I were in your place.

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  12. Those kittens had every chance you could give them... and the vet (and vet techs) who tried to help save them. I can't tell you how much I admire your picking yourself up and opening your arms up to kittens in need. Even if the kittens can't thank you, the families who have great cats you gave such a good start must be grateful to you for their four-footed family members.

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  13. Jeanne, I wish I was there...I'd give you a big hug. Fostering sure has its ups and downs...but God bless you for all that you do. ~Sue

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  14. Sweet, sweet Gala! God bless you for taking in so many kitties - and for loving each and every one of them. Our mom could not do what you do.
    This is such a great post.
    Cammie!

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  15. Godspeed your journey to heaven Gala.......we are truly sorry ♥♥♥

    and guys....to your mom person; we've said it once, we will say it again; we truly don't know how your mom does it; it takes an emotional strength... few possess.... to be able to deal with every.... single..... solitary..... aspect..... of..... fostering....

    there's so much more to it then just bringing a cat or dog into the house and saying..... go play.....

    the food service purrson here in trout towne would be a basket case the first time a foster lost their life, she'd be running behind the car saying...wait....that cat's not ready for adoption yet, bring him back, she would lay awake at nights wondering what she should do, not do, have to do, need to do.....and on and on and on and on...........

    does your mom have a right to have "one of those days" ..... hell yea.....

    but we hope those "days" are far and few between...

    high paws and headbonks to her; for what it's worth; the cats appreciate every single thing that's done for them ♥♥♥

    heerz two a northern squawfish kinda week oh end ♥♥♥

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  16. We are so sorry to hear of the kittens' passing. We don't have much to offer but the warmest pawhugs from the Whiskeratti.

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  17. It takes a special person to do what you do. I can't even imagine all the heartache you have to go through when you lose kittens as well as when you raise them and have to let them get adopted You are an angel on Earth. I am so sorry about the apple kitties.

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  18. I'm so sorry to hear about the apple kittens, I can only imagine the heartbreak you feel.

    Thank you for sharing your heart and your home with so many helpless kittens and mom cats. You have truly made such a difference in the life of so many.

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