I thought it was time for another update on my foster pets. Today I'm taking a vacation day from work so I can go with my nephew to the Zoo, and in addition I managed to fit in three vet appointments on the same day. This may sound like no big deal, until you realize that these three vet appointments are with three different vets! Impressive, isn't it? :-) I have to take advantage of my days off work when I can get them!
Tessa - She's turned out to be such a wonderful dog. She does whatever I ask of her, even when its difficult. Like when she's trying to eat Noelle's food, and I call her to come, she listens even though she doesn't want to. She's better behaved than my own two dogs. She's started sleeping next to my bed, and no matter where I go, she always follows me. She's awesome.
Artemis - Artie is back at my house after a short stay at PetSmart and he's doing well. He's getting braver around the dogs every day, but he still prefers to spend most of his time in his own area where the dogs can't bother him. He always comes out to give me a hug when I ask though.
- She purrs! It's been so long since I've heard her purr. She didn't purr much (if ever) while she was at PetSmart. Now she's back and as soon as I pet her she starts up with this low growly purr sound that when I first heard it I mistook for a far-away motorcycle. I like it.
Neo - I finally saw Neo looking excited. And happy. I didn't know he had it in him. The excited look came first, when I introduced him to one of the cats. He acted like a puppy, running all over and trying to play with the cat. At least I think he wanted to play. I didn't want to let him get too close in case he wanted to turn the cat into a snack. Suffiice it to say he
really likes cats. And then later, when I took him outside and just spent some time petting him, I saw him act happy for the first time. He is starting to adjust to life without his family, and starting to settle into his foster home. He still does the loud mournful howl from time to time that makes me sad, but he's doing it less and less.
Princess - She needs a home with kids who will play with her, or at least with adults who will give her a lot of attention. She just loves people. She does well with other cats too, so hopefully it won't take her long to find her very own family. This will be my last update on Princess since next week she's going on to another foster home. I will miss this sweet affectionate cat.
Merlin - I am in love with this cat. He's so cute and friendly and funny to watch. He's not very brave though. In fact, he runs away from scary things on a regular basis. He also finds himself getting stuck a lot, since he'll climb up somewhere high (like the top of a dog crate) and then not be able to climb back down. Every other kitten or cat I've ever had would've just jumped down, but not Merlin. Did I mention he's not very brave? But that's okay, he doesn't need to jump, because all he has to do is give his quiet pathetic little "meow" and I come running and carefully lift him into my arms and cuddle him, then set him back on the floor. I never get tired of rescuing him.
My foster pets are lucky. And your pets, they're even luckier. There are nine white pit bull puppies at a local shelter right now. I desparately want to save them, but I can't. They look a lot like the picture on the right. That's a picture of Boo, a previous foster dog I had. These nine puppies are even smaller than Boo was, and are only 5 or 6 weeks old. They're going to be put down in a few days unless a rescue steps up and takes them. But many rescue groups are scared to rescue pit bull puppies, because of their breed. They have to worry about liability and breed specific legislation and finding good adoptive homes. So chances are very good that these puppies will die, less than two months after being born, for no fault of their own. That's why the very few we're able to rescue, and those pets who are loved and cared for by their owners, are the lucky ones. And that's why when you hear people preaching about spaying and neutering, it's easy to understand why. They've seen the litters of puppies and kittens and adult pets being put down simply because there is no one to step forward and rescue them. It happens every day and its heartbreaking to walk away from those animals, knowing their fate. So give your pets an extra treat today and remind them how lucky they are.
Tessa - She's turned out to be such a wonderful dog. She does whatever I ask of her, even when its difficult. Like when she's trying to eat Noelle's food, and I call her to come, she listens even though she doesn't want to. She's better behaved than my own two dogs. She's started sleeping next to my bed, and no matter where I go, she always follows me. She's awesome. 
Artemis - Artie is back at my house after a short stay at PetSmart and he's doing well. He's getting braver around the dogs every day, but he still prefers to spend most of his time in his own area where the dogs can't bother him. He always comes out to give me a hug when I ask though. 
Neo - I finally saw Neo looking excited. And happy. I didn't know he had it in him. The excited look came first, when I introduced him to one of the cats. He acted like a puppy, running all over and trying to play with the cat. At least I think he wanted to play. I didn't want to let him get too close in case he wanted to turn the cat into a snack. Suffiice it to say he really likes cats. And then later, when I took him outside and just spent some time petting him, I saw him act happy for the first time. He is starting to adjust to life without his family, and starting to settle into his foster home. He still does the loud mournful howl from time to time that makes me sad, but he's doing it less and less. 
Princess - She needs a home with kids who will play with her, or at least with adults who will give her a lot of attention. She just loves people. She does well with other cats too, so hopefully it won't take her long to find her very own family. This will be my last update on Princess since next week she's going on to another foster home. I will miss this sweet affectionate cat. 
Merlin - I am in love with this cat. He's so cute and friendly and funny to watch. He's not very brave though. In fact, he runs away from scary things on a regular basis. He also finds himself getting stuck a lot, since he'll climb up somewhere high (like the top of a dog crate) and then not be able to climb back down. Every other kitten or cat I've ever had would've just jumped down, but not Merlin. Did I mention he's not very brave? But that's okay, he doesn't need to jump, because all he has to do is give his quiet pathetic little "meow" and I come running and carefully lift him into my arms and cuddle him, then set him back on the floor. I never get tired of rescuing him. 
This sweet cat was turned into a vet's office by someone who found her hiding under their truck. She's very sweet, and if we can't find her owner she will become my foster cat very soon. I'm letting my 8-year-old niece name her, to make up for the fact that I said my niece was only seven years old. She turned eight recently, and I will not forget her age again! Until she turns nine... then I make no promises. 
