"Pet column: Joys and sorrows of fostering shelter pets"
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2023/11/08/pet-column-joys-and-sorrows-of-fostering-shelter-pets/
“The Addams Family is a spicy bunch. Since they were born outside, and didn’t get any human interaction for the first weeks of their life, they need a lot of socializing to make them ready for permanent homes.
So, I set about the task to win them over with my charm.
Things were going along great for the first few days. They were eating well and allowing me to hold them for brief periods of time without hissing and spitting at me.
Uncle Fester, a gorgeous black and white little guy seemed to favor me the most — coming to sit next to me when I’d sit down on the floor of the bathroom (where they’ve set up camp).
I’m not one to play favorites. But if I did, Uncle Fester would most certainly be my favorite. His gentle nature and curious eyes melted my heart. Of the three, he seemed to be the most interested in me, too.
I was in love — and about to have my heart broken.
On the fourth day, I woke up to find that Uncle Fester had passed away in the middle of the night.
When I saw him lying there, something inside me broke. So, I sat there, holding him silently for over an hour before I could turn my brain back on.
I took them all back to the shelter to have them tested to make sure the others weren’t also sick. After running all the routine tests, the remaining two kittens were deemed healthy and disease free.
Uncle Fester’s abrupt death remains unexplained (and odd since he showed no prior signs of being ill) — so I’ll never know if there was something I could have done to keep it from happening.”
~ J. Hagerman
https://www.dailynews.com/2023/11/08/pet-column-joys-and-sorrows-of-fostering-shelter-pets/
“I understood that my choice to care for animals and save lives came with a price — and this was it. I know that I can’t save every single one of them.
But I will keep paying that price over and over because there are still two kittens, Wednesday and Gomez, who have a chance to live a long healthy life — and find a home with people who will love them for the long haul.
It’s not a small price. But in comparison to the fulfillment I get from being a part of their journey and helping to prepare them for life after foster, it’s more than worth it to me.”
~ J. Hagerman
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