Fallen Soldier

Fostering kittens provides me with entertainment and stress relief, but rescuing strays also comes with risks. We rarely know much about the kittens we rescue beyond the perilous conditions they're found in. To love is to risk. It's always worth it.

To date, I've taken in 80 foster kittens (not counting temporary kitten guests when other fosters go on vacation!) and I've loved every single one. Of course, Toasty Marshmallow and Wicket are at the top of that list- my two foster wins. Beignet, Jigsaw, Tetris, and Sudoku were claimed my parent's house so I get to see them often. Luckily, many of the adoptive parents have kept in touch or joined the IBR alumni facebook group and I get updates now and then. But there are a few special kittens that I haven't seen since their adoption pictures were posted.

Most recently, it was Sergeant Sassy Pants. This dramatic kitten was a model for self-advocacy and passion. She never had an opinion she didn't share and never hesitated to demand that her needs be met. She could become fiercely mad over any perceived slight, such as her food dish being moved a foot from where it SHOULD be or someone looking at HER poof the wrong way. But when she decided you were worthy of her love she shared that love with the same level of passion.

I was in charge of set-up at the adoption center the day she went to Petsmart and got to meet the families who arrived to sign up for kittens before adoptions started. My friends on the adoption team let me know when Sassy found her family- and I was surprised and delighted to hear she had NO complaints about this new arrangement at all. As a general rule, Sassy Pants did NOT like change.

When the adoption pictures were posted, I was thrilled to see her new mom- a young lady I met that morning. Though we didn't interact much, I just felt a good vibe from her and the interviewer gushed about how quickly she and Sassy seemed to get along.

Sergeant Sassy Pants was renamed Cleo. Her new mom was stuck at home due to unfortunate circumstances so Cleo was able to bond with her quickly and deeply. Cleo was a constant companion- entertaining her new mom with her antics and curling up to sleep with her when her energy ran low. Cleo was loved so deeply and helped her mom with recovery.

Cleo gave her mom unlimited love in her limited time. Sadly, only a few months after her adoption, Cleo started showing signs of illness. Her mom called the vet but they ended up in the emergency room the night before her appointment. That's when her mom reached out to me and IBR via facebook, but Cleo's condition faded too rapidly (FIP) and her mom made the devastating but generous decision to end Cleo's suffering before we saw her messages.

Still, Cleo was a lucky kitten. Life on the streets is harsh for abandoned kittens. Those taken to the shelters are often euthanized at that unless they can be transferred to a rescue-rescues don't have the resources to provide the around the clock care newborn kittens need. Cleo knew warmth and was surrounded by her mom's love in her last moments. She was a spirited, passionate kitten who lived her short life to the fullest. Rest in peace, sweet baby. I enjoyed every moment I had with you, even when you were sick in gloriously messy ways-and I know your adoptive mom loved you even more.