Posted 5/24/2012 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
We have fostered two moggies and they are so relaxed and affectionate. They both have been recently desexed and have the cat flu; nasal congestion, sneezing and eye infections. They are very sick and it is so rewarding to nurse them back to health. It was a bit overwhelming initially. They plonked 2 sick cats with complicated meds on me, the day after I signed up, without any induction or training - but we all found our feet quickly. (I have had experience with most kinds of animals). I took them in for a vet check today/med resupply/med change.
The real estate is being norty and the stress is impacting on me so bad that is starting to impact on my son, just the injustice, stress, uncertainty of it all. I have applied for the house across the road with my preferred agent. Please everyone send positive vibes that whatever is best for me will happen. I want that house over the road and I want to move in, two weeks from tomorrow. My plan is to get preliminary acceptance tomorrow and provide intention to leave notice tomorrow.
We have the cats under humidification tonight because the poor dears were struggling badly to get oxygen through their nostrils last night. How is this relevant? Because it is immensely satisfying. I thought I was helping these moggies - which I am - but I did expect for them to give so much back. Their sense of fun, their affection, their interesting habits, us attending to their needs... it is incredibly healing for me and completely enjoyable for my son.
My son lined up a three month work placement while we were at the shelter today. The lady from another site where he trained dog's earlier in the year was there, saw my son and called out his name. She said she wanted him to work under her. It was bizarre that the same time we were there for the cat's vet check, my son's school arrived and we sat in on the obedience training of the dog we were going to adopt two days ago before the real estate situation blew up again. It's also good coz my son knows the school culture and knows the training program. I think he will be great at training other kids to train the dogs - help them get better manners - and be great companions in their new adoptive homes.
Ironically, that is the place I had a strong gut feeling be the place to have my 15 yo dog euthanised for kidney failure two years ago, being new to town and not knowing anyone. The way they comforted me was something I will never forget. They knew I was losing my best friend in the world and the loss was significant. Just the vet's hand on my back as she euthanised my dog was a kindness I will never forget. She still works there too.
I've found fostering is good as it is not a long term commitment for a bipolar (don't need to foster on fatigue, depression and cognitive confusion days). It is so lovely to get animals well, so they go to new homes. I wish I had done it earlier, but glad I've finally stumbled into it.