Creative Commons photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/aawlspca/

Dear Foster Mom

There I sat, alone and afraid.
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you’d done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, “Sweetheart, you’re ready to go.
I’ve done all I can, and you’ve learned all I know.”

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I’ve moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I’ll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.

You’ll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you’ll always be mine.

- Author Unknown

Pets are more than just Christmas presents. They are forever. They believe in you, appreciate you, and give you unconditional love. If you have spent a lot of time and consideration to adopting a pet – now is a perfect time.

D. Sharon Pruitt of Pink Sherbet Photography

News from Save Our Strays, Inc. reveals a busy summer for their volunteers with the discovery of two separate litters of abandoned kittens. The first set – four one-week old babies – was rescued by a compassionate woman in Largo, Fl. She found the kittens abandoned in a shed. Their tiny eyes were not even open yet. Enter in Save Our Strays volunteer and expert bottle feeder, Val. The task of feeding three tiny Tabbies and one Tortie would require Val’s attention round the clock.

Did she complain? Not at all. She said “They are an absolute joy. Every day they get bigger and accomplish some sort of new ‘kitty feat’.” She also says all four purr a lot when they are taking their bottles.

Val’s cat, Natasha, thinks they are HER babies and has totally taken over the care of them. At the same time this is all going on, Val is also feeding two baby males, and by doing so has virtually saved their lives.

The second set, another foursome, was born among bags of mulch at a Lowe’s garden center in north Pinellas County. These little guys with eyes not yet opened escaped being run over by a forklift. Cara, an employee of Lowe’s saved the Tabby kittens and took them to SOS volunteer Hilda. “Bottle-babies are my specialty,” says St. Petersburg resident Hilda, who set her alarm to feed the baby kitties every two hours. After the kittens have opened their eyes, Hilda scales back the feeding to every two hours. She even takes the kitties with her on days she cares for her grandchildren so they tiny ones do not miss out on their feeding.

Now, that is pure dedication from two very special Save Our Strays, Inc. volunteers. Do you know a volunteer or pet lover with such compassion for the helpless baby animals? Please feel free to tell their story in my comments section. News like this is day brightener for us all.