Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Why I Foster...Because Sometimes They Die

My foster kitten, Ash died yesterday.  My heart hurts.   I know some people don't understand my grief.  After all, I only knew Ash a week.

Some people might say "It was just a kitten.  There are plenty more where that one came from."   What they don't understand is that Ash's life mattered to me.  I'm proud to foster for an organization where Ash's life mattered to them too.  It would been easy for shelter staff to sleep through my phone calls and text messages at 1:00 in the morning, but they answered.  They could have told me there was nothing for me to do but instead they authorized me to take him to the emergency vet.  They did everything possible for Ash because his life mattered.  In the end there was nothing more they could do, but to humanely euthanize him. In that moment they were concerned for me because not only did Ash matter to them but I mattered too.

I'm sure I will hear "I don't know how you foster.  I could never do it."  Usually, I nod and politely say "I totally understand".  But sometimes I want to scream, "How can you not do it?  Somewhere out there is a kitten dying alone and unloved because you won't foster it!"  Logically, I know not everyone can foster and not everyone should foster.  But shelter's across the country are filled to the rafters with kittens and cats during the summer months.  They can only help more if they have foster families to support them.  Yes, there is a possibility that a kitten in your care could die.  They are fragile little beings.  Who knows what they could have been exposed to before they reach your care.  But more than likely they are going to grow up healthy and happy, ready to find their forever homes.

I foster because sometimes they do die.  It hurts but I wouldn't change a thing.  I know I've given them the best chance to survive but more importantly they were not alone and they were loved.  My heart hurts for Ash but my heart breaks even more for those who died alone and unloved.

All kittens matter...to me.

21 comments :

  1. Purrs for you and Ash and his siblings.....this is SO true...

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  2. Such a precious little angel. Bless you for loving his sweet soul for the short time he had here on earth. {{{HUGS}}}

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  3. We send you our purrs and love. Thanks for loving sweet little Ash.

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  4. and to me.

    May the fosters you have soothe your soul from this loss

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  5. Purrs and gentle headbonks. Thank you for giving so much love to all these fosters. Purrs

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  6. Oh, Jenny, my heart aches for you, but I'm glad Ash spent his last days in your care.

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  7. Thank you so much for loving Ash. I know how you feel and although I am proud of all the survivors and their adoptions, my heart is really proud and peaceful knowing I have been with many crossing the rainbow bridge to the last heartbeat. Usually next to me, on a pillow, my hand on their heart, or on my chest ... to the last second. Lots of love. Ash knows of your love and will watch over you.

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  8. Beautifully written - and so very true. Sending hugs...

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  9. We're glad that little Ash had you in his all-too-short life. We send you lots of purrs...

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  10. We are as heart broken as you. But as we offer our condolences and purrs and prayers, we also send our thanks for all you do for the fosters and especially what you did for little Ash. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  11. I'm so sorry your heart hurts, but so eternally grateful for the amazing fosters like you that give kittens like Ash the best chance for life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring for and about Ash, and letting him know love during his short little life. Sending gentle hugs your way.

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  12. I can't say in words what bottle babies mean to me. Everyone matter.
    It really cuts to the bone to have one pass. It's a life. It does matter. EVERY LIFE MATTERS.

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  13. I can't say in words what bottle babies mean to me. Everyone matter.
    It really cuts to the bone to have one pass. It's a life. It does matter. EVERY LIFE MATTERS.

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  14. I'm so sorry for your pain - but I am grateful for your dedication.

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  15. I am so sorry about Ash. Take comfort in knowing he got to be loved if only for a short time. XO

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  16. Thank you for loving & being with Ash when he needed you most, he was luckier than most. He died knowing he was loved.

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