Little Monsters

I’m currently fostering 3 kittens.

When you look at this photo do you automatically gush- O.M.G., so CUUUTE!

They are cute. And- they’re little monsters.

I’ve never had cats. In fact, I’m not a cat person. I am a staunch dog person. But, when I got an email from a rescue imploring those of us on the foster list to take in kittens because it’s “kitten season” in LA and that the situation is “urgent”, I thought- how bad can this be?

Let me tell you- I thought bulldogs were stinky. They have nothing on kittens. Everything stinks with kittens- their urine stinks, their poop stinks, their food stinks, the litterbox stinks.  And nothing could have prepared me for the pungency of kitten farts.

They also don’t quite know how to use their limbs yet so they often stomp through their poop in the litter box, and because they don’t fully understand how to clean themselves (I was under the impression that cats were self-cleaning) this means that everywhere they go there are poopy paw prints to mark their journey.

Because I like a clean house this means that I’m often in the position to wash these kittens. Kittens don’t like water and they don’t like to be washed. And- they don’t know how to retract their razor-sharp little claws (or maybe they do know and they’re trying to maim me for life) so I have kitten scratches EVERYWHERE.

Delightful.

As a foster, it’s my job to socialize them- which means I need to get them used to household sounds like the television and the vacuum cleaner. And, I need to hold them (and be nice and loving to them) so they get used to human contact.

So, I hold them. And- the first time one of them started to purr I melted. I felt such sweetness from this tiny being so willing to trust and let go. They each get time with me on the couch at night. Now they all purr- one of them even likes to suck on my earlobes which initially I thought was cute until I saw a kitten hickey on my neck and realized- oh no, this has to stop.

I’ve been taking in foster animals since the pandemic started because I want to open up my life to more joy and more enthusiasm and more love. Taking care of these animals has definitely been work, but it’s also been wonderful.

I’m looking at fostering a hospice dog in the next week or so. Nobody knows how long this dog has left but there’s something about her. The first time I saw her I knew- this dog needs my love.

Look for updates about her soon.

And- if you’re a woman and you’re looking for more in your life- love, enthusiasm, money, joy, I have one spot left in my Women Who Want More group coaching program that starts in 2 weeks. Reach out to me if you’re curious.