Graduation Day for Rhett and Scarlett

Rhett:  Pssst!  Scarlett!  The Foster Mama says today is Graduation Day.  What does that mean?

Scarlett:  I'm not sure.  Hopefully, Mr. Gus will tell us.

Scarlett:  Mr. Gus what is Graduation Day?

Gus:  Great question, Scarlett!  It means that you have completed all of your training here at Purr's Training Acatemy.  You are ready to find your furever home!

Scarlett:  But I don't want to leave you, Mr. Gus.

Scarlett:  Are you sure I'm ready? What if no one wants me?

Jaq:  Seriously?  You were one of our star pupils!  Just go to that Adoption Center and turn on the cute! Failure is not an option!

Gus:  Why don't you practice your cuteness?

Gus:   Awww...I think you got it!  Total cuteness!  You will have no problems finding a family!

Nap Interrupted Sunday Selfies

Gus:  My nap was rudely interrupted by the minions students today.  

First, Rhett decided to lay down next to me.  That was fine but then he wanted to play!  DUDE!  IT'S NAP TIME!  Didn't I teach you anything?

I thought I got rid of him but then Scarlett had to join me.  She kept asking all these questions.  "Mr. Gus, how do I do this?  How do I do that?"  GEESH!  It was exhausting!

Luckily, the Mama wanted to do a photo shoot for The Cat on My Head's Sunday Selfies.  She saved me from the question asking.

Scarlett was up first.

 Rhett was next.

Finally, things have calmed down and I'm ready to take my nap.

He's behind me, isn't he?  So much for nap time!  One more week!  One more week before this class graduates and I get a much needed vacation.

#####

This post is part of a blog hop hosted by The Cat on my Head.  Please hop on over to see the other entries.

Blessing of the Animals

Gus:  So the kittens got to do something cool.  They went to the Blessing of the Animals at our church.  There were a lot of woofies there but the kittens didn't care.

After a brief service, the kittens got in line.  When it was their turn, they were anointed with oil and prayed over.  Then they signed the blessing with their paw print. 

You may be wondering why they needed to sign the blessing.  In addition to being blessed, they made a covenant with God to watch over their new humans.

All the people they met at the service oohed and aahed over them.  They wanted to get out of their stroller to meet everyone but the Mama wouldn't let them.

They even liked this nice Golden Retriever.

Isn't it wonderful to be a creature of God?

Introducing The Gone with the Wind Kittens

Gus:  It was kind of a stressful week.  We realized we hadn't formally introduced you to the surviving Gone with the Wind Kittens.  So without further ado, we would like to introduce you to the cutest little orange tabby, Rhett Butler and the most adorable tortie, Scarlett O'Hara.

####

This post is part of a blog hop hosted by The Cat on My Head.  Please hop on over to visit the other entries.

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.

It's Stinky Around Here

UPDATE FROM THE MAMA:  It has been a long night at our foster home.  One of the little kittens (the black little boy) was breathing but not very responsive.  I rushed him to an emergency vet.  He remains there receiving fluids.  He is more alert today but still very lethargic.  Please pray and purr that his condition continues to improve.  Last night, while filling out the paperwork, I had to give the kitten a name.  I gave him the name Ash.  His brother will be named Rhett and his sister Scarlett.

Original Post:

Gus:  Things have been a bit stinky around here.  Sorry for the gross picture.  We are paws deep in poop here!  

Our newest minions are having a bit of diarrhea. They are pooping all over their kennel and it is getting all over the minions!  It is so stinky!

The Mama had to give all three kittens baths.  Yuck!  Thankfully, it was them and not me!

  

The Mama also cleaned their kennel and put clean bedding in it.  Guess what?  They've already pooped in their clean beds.  Silly minions! As soon as we get some test results back, we'll figure out how to stop the diarrhea.

We did get some clean selfies of the kittens.  They don't have names yet.  Feel free to make suggestions in the comments.  There are two boys and a tortie girl.  We usually choose names based on a theme.

#####

This post is part of a blog hop hosted by The Cat on My Head.  please hop on over to see the other entries.