Having a pet is an amazing childhood experience. I had that experience with a lovely cat as a child and I wanted that for my children. With Covid lockdowns it was very difficult to keeps the kids occupied all the time. So when I heard of fostering I wanted see how it works out and this was the only thing I could think of to keep my family members occupied and same time doing a good deed. Our first foster was Delaney (at home we called her Ivy) She came as if she knew us all and was only curious about the surroundings. Boy was she curious! We fell in love with her right away. She didn’t mind that there were 7 of us or that we carried and petted her all the time. She was active and very social. When time came of her being ready for adoption, I had to explain to the family that we can’t become too attached as we were only fostering and we wanted to help more cats. Delaney left to a very caring home. We kept in touch. I would get photos and videos of Delaney happily playing in her forever home. We were happy for her. It was apparent that having a cat in the house helped us all and it helped All paws and it also of course helped a cat who needed a home and comforting family in time that no one else wanted it. Our next foster was Titus. We had him since March and is still with us. Titus was very different from Delaney’s personality. He was not only scared but traumatized. He would hide a lot. He was scared of every little noise. It took a lot of patience and love to get him to where he is now. He barely hides now. He is more comfortable with different noises. He sleeps in the open. Naps on our laps. Or on our beds. He is such an adorable 7 year fur ball! He likes quiet and loves to be left alone most of the time. But when he wants cuddles he would jump into your lap and do a little kneading and shows you he is loving this and then rests in. Seeing how Titus was few weeks ago of being scared and not trusting anyone it really made all of us think of how many cats out there need families to open their homes and care and love them and let them know that everything is ok. That whatever they experienced before won’t happen again. That the way they got abandoned from their previous homes won’t happen again. All paws tries very much to find the right forever home for these little angles. So they can have sense of security and peace and never feel unloved and tortured again. Experiencing both Delaney and Titus also helped my kids to be more compassionate towards others. To understand when a person needs space and when they need love. They found that their own hearts have a lot more love and that can be spread in this universe in many ways. Both humans and animals need us and our love!
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Denny's Foster Journey....
My journey with All Paws has been an amazing journey so far. I saw a post on my local Facebook page from Tammy Silva-Kendall and I was hooked. So I researched the group and thought I had found kindred hearts. I took in a few orphaned kittens and haven't looked back. I now take in mostly feral babes. My first ones were Arias Avalon and Arabella. Very shy, hid for a long time and I thought I would never reach them. Then slowly Arias started to follow me at a distance and then coming closer and closer. Till that one glorious day I touched him. He let me pet him. I couldn't stop the tears. And slowly but surely his brother and sister did the same. The feeling is indescribable. At this time I was in a bit of a dark place myself. These 3 saved me. They gave me a reason to get out of bed. A reason to look for the sunshine. Then it was time for them to leave. I cried and cried. But I knew I was part of their amazing journey. I knew their furever after would be filled with love. And I played a part in it. Since then many babes have come through my home and my heart. Each one leaving a piece of them with me and taking a piece of my heart with them. As hard as it is believe you me it's well worth it. I have met many good friends along the way so thankful to have a community of loving souls to call on. It's not always easy and fostering can have its hard times but the good times far outweigh them. The first touch the first purr is worth every tear. Every sleepless night. Every vet visit. I believe All paws came into my life when I need them most. I can't wait to see where this journey will continue to lead me. Thank you so much to everyone involved in this crazy cat community. |