My "Foster" Experience

When I lost Mollie, I was darn sure I would never love a (new) cat again. After all, she was the best cat ever! But four months later was willing to explore the feasibility of "hosting" a cat. I had a spare bedroom and a nice big yard - plenty of space for a temporary cat.

Off I went to the Humane Society of the Piedmont to see what Foster Cats they had available. Or rather, I called. And found out they foster by the litter (!), preferably with the nursing mother attached. Woah, that wouldn't work.

A litter increased the possibility of getting attached to a cat, and I was not ready for that. But, it turned out, they had a single cat that seemed healthy and could use a few weeks in a good home. I was in! The cat's name was Ashley, but turned out to be male, and was renamed to Ashford. Either way...I would call it "cat." Not mine, not my problem.

The kitten was a hit with friends. It was white with blue eyes, playful and sweet. It followed you around like a little puppy. How adorable. I was not touched. This cat was nothing like my Mollie.

Until the day I had to return it. I saw it curled up on the love seat with that sweet face, sound asleep. Nope, steel yourself, this one is not for you. Fine, I thought, I shall return him. Sadly, at the Humane Society they were unable to reassure me. "So, what are his chances?" I asked. "Well, once they make it to the adoption list, we don't euthanize," said the receptionist. What does that mean?? I probed further "so what determines who gets on the adoption list?" "Oh, you know. We go by breed, gender, color..." I was not impressed. So I sat there and waited for about 20 minutes before they could "process" him. At minute 21 I walked up to the counter and said, "I'd like to go ahead and adopt him."

No cat of mine is going to be euthanized.

So, I took him home. Deb called him Foster. How appropriate. I have had this kitten now for about 8 months, and he's been great. Hangs around all the time, be it dinner time (he loves people food), time to empty the dishwasher, litter box or washing machine. He knows how to unroll a toilet paper roll backward and forward and he loves jumping in the toilet (so I've heard).

So there you go. Tried to foster a cat. Didn't work. Or...worked real well.

P.S. Spay and neuter your pets. PLEASE!!!!!