Grand-babies and Fosters = Love X infinity

 

Hello Friends! 

The time hath come (yes, I said hath, because emotions deserve drama) to return my latest (5) little foster kittens to HSNT (Humane Society of North Texas) in Fort Worth.

I think about each one of them. Their personalities, their wants and desires - and their future. They have met the magical milestone of > 2 lbs and 8 weeks old so that they can be neutered or spayed and then placed up for adoption. I'm so proud.....and so wrecked. 

On a peaceful, gorgeous-weathered Sunday, my heart cracked open once again. Cue the tears. Letting these little fluffballs go never gets easier, even though I know it's the whole point. My job is to keep them out of a cage in a noisy shelter, and give them space to frolic in my Cat Room, and let them fully embrace their chaotic kitten authenticity. And let me tell you, they fully embraced it. My house has never been the same - or cleaner, because sweeping has become a daily spiritual practice as kitty litter flies with 5 small wild-things running about.

Me: Just trying to keep up

Once the criteria is met, though - BOOM, time is up. Just like that, they're gone. As quickly as they came....only now they're a little bigger and way more mischievous. 

Excellent eaters

Oddly, it's a like a recipe.....a pinch of self torture with a blend of heart-wrench, along with equal parts reward and love. Mix them together and you get something unexpectedly wonderful. That's fostering. A blend of hard and soft that somehow makes magic.

Indeed, it was a brutiful (brutal and beautiful) day as I returned them. Only to be able to receive again.

Yet, surprise though! Turns out I had a kitty overlap. I’d already received my next foster. Yes, I double-booked myself emotionally. Again. 

Meet this tiny nugget of a soul:

How could I say 'no' to this lil guy?
Spoiler: I didn't

I would have run to Fort Worth to get him, but I drove like a responsible adult. (You're welcome, Texas Highways).

Because of his blindness, I set up a tiny bachelor pad with all the essentials: food, water, litter box and a soft blanket with a heating pad underneath - aka his personal spa. 

I do have to keep him separate due to his eye infections and stashed him safely in the grandkids room, while the other 5 held domination over the Cat Room.

Every little things gonna be alright

He has a rough history, this tiny guy they named Kylin. I call him Buddah though - you'll understand why in a sec. 

Buddah came from the wild - literally. He and his siblings were found trying to survive outside, all with severe eye infections. Not all made it. But this tiny warrior did. Blind, but here. Still standing (well, wobbling).

Poor thing

His eyes were swollen and filled with pus, and I'll be honest - I was terrified. My first medical foster. What if I couldn't handle it? What if he didn't make it? 

Me

But Buddah slowly showed improvement. And sometimes, setbacks. One eye would look better, then the other eye would betray us. Then back to square one. 

The visual impairment is real

I became a tiny eye nurse, mastering warm compresses (which he strongly opposes) applying ointment, and trying to win his trust in the process. Pro tip: kittens don't enjoy warm compresses to their face. Weird, right?

But love has power ❤️‍🩹 And patience. And a microwavable towel. I'm sure he wishes he could see me coming. 

He begin to show more
consistent improvement 🙌

And with time, his “good” eye (left) is mostly infection-free now. And his “bad eye” (right one) that is not really even an eye, is seemingly improving. HSNT has told me when Buddah grows a bit more, is eating well, infection-free and stable, that they will likely remove his left “bad" eye. They have told me he will be blind, and likely there’s no fixing that - in their opinion. And also, I was informed that with him having his bad eye removed should be helpful to decrease infection risks and allow for more comfort. We still have a ways to go.

With time and patience, he's improved.
And even gained a little weight.

His favorite thing is to actually be in the egg basket, walking around on the eggs like a mountain climber. All while periodically looking up at the under-cabinet bright light with fascination. It's very stimulating for him and he really perks up for it. Maybe he sees some actual light in one of his eyes? Not sure, but he does seem mesmerized by it. I like to think it's a little hope glowing just for him. 

And as he gets stronger and more confident, he's beginning to show his personality. Cautious but curious. Playful yet unsure. It's hard being 5-6 weeks old, tiny and blind. Life is very different for him and he doesn't even know it. I do notice him perking his ears up with noise, and using his little bewitched nose to sense his surroundings. It's fascinating to watch his unique little life unfold and a privilege to witness.

Sight or no sight, this lil guy has vision.
He's alive. He's loved. And he's thriving.

I have reached out to HSNT to let them know Buddah's most recent progress and update, and in return, the Vet there has asked I bring him in for an evaluation of next-steps for his eye(s). So we'll see what is to come for this lil guy. I don't know how I'll truly be able to let him go. I say that every time, right? 

Oh wait, why Buddah, you ask?

Exhibit A : The belly

His little body is trying to keep up with his ravenous food intake. He eats like he has a food bucket list to finish before nap time. Let's just say he's a fighter, a surviver and an inspiration. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, my sweets - and I can only pray and hope you get to see as well. A girl can dream, right?

🎉 Brooks turned FIVE 🎉

How!?  I swear he was just born.

And wouldn't you know, the very same day I dropped my fosters off was the same day I headed out to celebrate a certain someone's birthday. 

Bestest boy

Brooks can have a good time anywhere, and on this day, it was at Gigi's house (Ryan's mom aka Lauren's mother-in-law). 

We partied at Gigi's house, we laughed through voice changers, played outside with monster trucks, and communed like civilized humans hopped up on cake and party chaos.  

It was simple. It was perfect. It was love in action. That's what life's really about, isn't it? And this bestest boy deserves it, 100 times over. It's pure joy watching him enjoy it all 💝 and to be there for it. I don't take it for granted, as being celebrated is one of the best feelings in the world, and watching someone celebrated.....a close second, if not a tie. 

And if you've read the book, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday then you know how it goes.....yet, Brooks - you stood firm in it all 💕

This book is a staple in my own library
- and life

Also - Olive, now age 2 and wise beyond her years, told Brooks she was 5 too. Brooks did NOT appreciate that. 

Let's just say.....she lit a fire in him. And when she saw it worked, she kept doing it. Sisters, man. Olive may be young, but she's scrappy - and possibly training for roller derby. Code name: Lady Bug.

Brooks better stay taller, because right now, she's winning the war of words and fists. That girl don't play. She's got a quick jab cross that even surprised me.

Lauren in her Roller Derby Era.
Maybe not 😉

For now, innocent Olive is a practicing lady bug (side note: just like her mama was)

Don't let her fool you

Also, her current bedtime outfit. And daytime outfit. And....identity. She even sleeps in it. Lady Bug never clocks out.

Ah, the joy of siblings. And these two are pure joy in my book. 

What a fun weekend celebrating Brooks! Bonus: He received Player Of The Week at his soccer game on Saturday. And a fun birthday celebration on Sunday. It's hard to get too much of this guy. After all, he's a Master Lego-ist, which by the way, may actually be a major in college by the time he goes. I mean, if Gaming can be, why can't Legology be a major? Brooks would likely have a double major, if that was the case. 

Lego El Toro Loco, for those who don't 
speak monster-truck dialect. 

Happy Birthday, Brooks!! 5 years old and already cooler than all of us.

Nothing says monster like this boy at a 
monster truck jam

I love you more than you'll ever know. Forever my bestest boy. 

Please stop aging,

Cyndi