I'm a faux parent

For intense animal lovers like me, as I'm sure it is probably 1000fold for parents of humans, "child" or child sickness is not easy to handle.

The welfare of the cats and kittens I foster for the Minnesota Valley Humane Society weigh on me heavily as well. My latest foster is a black and white pregnant stray cat from Apple Valley. She was on the street long enough to get pretty gritty, her normally bright white tummy and feet now grimy grey in color. She was treated for a variety of parasites before joining our household. And at the shelter she contracted the feline upper respiratory infection nearly all felines get in shelter situations, kind of like kids at school.

Tonight was a moment all other parents, faux and otherwise, will recognize. She ate and drank! I haven't seen her eat or drink, and the litter box is my silent witness, since Friday and it's now Sunday evening. In case you don't know what that's like, when the patient finally willing takes food or drink, you just freeze and barely breathe because you don't want ANYTHING to interrupt the moment.

So, relief, Bella is on the road to recovery and I hope will keep her kittens inside until she's much better. Eat and drink up, pretty kitty!