Thankyou for all your kind words. I was stunned when I found out what the result would be. Seamus had a nasty strain of the cat flu. With the shelter full due to kitten season and the rental crisis, they couldn't keep them there, and they weren't allowed to leave them on foster or adopt them out.
I understand why they need to try and stop an outbreak occuring at the shelter- the last cat flu outbreak went right through the shelter despite their best efforts, and they are dealing with a parvo outbreak too. In order to get the paltry government funding they recieve, there are strict rules regarding the control of outbreaks. And if the shelter gets a reputation for having sick kitties, people will be more reluctant to go there.
Seamus went downhill very quickly. I thought he had a run of the mill shelter sniffle, but yesterday, he started having trouble getting around and was shaking. Holly was sneezing, and Poppy and Jimmy were developing yucky noses. They must have felt bad, but they were full of rumbly purrs to the end.
I was wondering whether I could bring myself to foster again after what happened. One of our Catster friends said that we would love others because of the Blossoms and Seamus, and I think that is probably a better legacy for them.
Again, thankyou for all your kind comments. It really does mean a lot.
15 comments:
All you can do is do your best. You can do everything that is right and good, and the outcome is out of your hands. Those little babies knew love and comfort and for that we are are thankful that you were there for them.
We are seeing similar policies with the RSPCA in the UK lately, they are so badly over run with unwanted animals. If you can, to continue fostering would be a grand tribute to Seamus, Holly, Poppy and Jimmy. You gave them a loving and cared for time, which, without you, they would not have had.
Love and rumbly purrs to you all
Whicky Wuudler & family
It is a very good thing that you stay rational even though it must be so hard to lose the little ones. You gave them the best care possible but Seamus came with the infection and there was nothing you could do about it. You saw the ugly downside of fostering, the loss of the little ones, the danger it could mean to Fui and Suey - I can only imagine the thoughts running around in your head. Still, I too think that your work is a great help to kittens in need.
A lot of purrs, Siena
I am very sad to be catching up on this news. But you do a wonderful job and many kitties are happy because of you. Don't give up.
Huffle Mawson and her mum.
Oh I have only just read the news. We are so sorry about your babies, you must be sad and heartbroken for they were sweet little cuties.
Let your heart rest a bit, I know that it has lots of room to help out other wee babies, and will always have a special place for Seamus and the blossoms. Poor wee poppets, but they can all play at the bridge together.
Big hugs to you all.
Julie and Poppy Q
we here can not say that you should continue or be brave and strong, because that would be being hypocritical..because we know how totally weak my Momma is.
We can say though that you must be a strong Momma to begin with giving those little babies so much love and attention and mothering knowing that they would be going on out into the world without you.
The world needs wonderful Mommas like you ..And somehow I thinks you needs to be the Momma THEY need also.. otherwise you never would have come near it.
We do not want to say that you MUST continue to do this because there is nothing worse than being guilted into something.. however, IF the only reason for you giving up is those beautiful furry babies that saw so much love and sacrifice in their little lives to last them a life time, we say think twice.
This was not your fault, this is just a whole heap of cruel circumstances.. everything you could do you did, and I just knows that they knows it.
WE wish we could make you feel better, we do understand their reasoning, but we do not understand what had to happen because they were not in the shelter, they were with you, but we do not understand the viruses either..
Which also goes to prove that, in life we are drawn to things for reasons we do not understand, and in the end they all have meaning..
Go with your heart Momma Foster, it is always right ;))
King loving puurs
Vic and the Momma
Their legacy is for you to always have a place in your heart and home for kitties like them. If not for folks like you, there would be much more sadness in the world of homeless kitties.
Bless you and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Bless your heart. Something like this is so hard.
Purrs,
Lux
It's understandable, but still must be so hard for all of you. I'm glad Fui and Suey should be fine, though.
Hugs,
Ane
PS: I stole the picture of the kittens for our blog. Please leave me a comment if you want to remove it!
Ane
Just catching up on the sad news :(
That must be a gut wrenching thing to have to go through. I would love to give you a BIG hug!!
Some kitties will only be on this earth for a short time. These ones knew love and safety and compassion. Abandoned cats living out on their own often have a much more sad end. If kitties can be fostered for a while,they can at least have some pleasure and a hope of a life.
If only people spayed and neutered their pets!!!!!!!
BIG HUGS to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mickey's Mom
We are so sorry to hear about the kitties!! You are so kind to take fosters in and our purrrs and purrayers are with you during this sad time! We are so glad Suey and Fui will be fine!!
Your FL furiends,
We are so sorry to hear the very sad news! It is awful that pet overpopulation forces shelters to make such difficult decisions. You gave those darling kittens such love and happiness, and truly made a wonderful difference in their lives. Seamus, Jimmy, Poppy, and Holly brought such joy to all of us and will be sorely missed. Your work fostering kitties has helped so many kitties in need, and we are truly thankful for all that you do.
Foster furriends ... Teleport on over for some delicious turkey 'cuz we're celebratin' here in America!
Happy Fangs-giving! Gobble, gobble, gobble ... 'urp!
DMM and the Feline Americans
Please keep fostering kitties. Your kind souls and loving hearts are sorely needed.
My human and I feel so awful about this! Something similar happened at a rescue my human was volunteering at in Los Angeles the year before I was born. It's something that's always a potential danger in foster and rescue, and it's one of the hardest things to have to go through, but it should never, ever make you stop offering your heart and your home to cats and kittens who need help.
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