The Pros and Cons of Foster Parenting

I volunteer with an organization called "PET Projects" (petprojects.petfinder.com), which is a part of the Beulah Berman Memorial Animal Shelter Society. I am their webmaster, and also a foster parent. The shelter exists but has been closed due to lack of funding. While they work to figure out how to get the funds to reopen it, foster parenting has allowed us to still take in animals that need homes. Here are the pros and cons of this system, as I see them.

CONS:
1. All of the animals are not in a central location, so no one can simply walk through the shelter and see an animal that they simply "MUST" take home...
2. There are only so many foster homes - we often have to turn animals away.
3. Being so spread out makes administration more of a chore, and so can be harder on the volunteers.
4. Foster parents get attached to the animals, and then cry when they leave (Well, maybe that's just me)

PROS:
1. Animals are not in cages waiting for homes - they are IN homes being socialized and trained and, most importantly, loved
2. Foster parents have a vested interest in seeing a pet find a home, and will work harder to see that happen.
3. How fun is it to get a batch of kittens to enjoy, then find them homes before they get old and not-as-cute, only to get ANOTHER batch of kittens? :)

We've had two batches of kittens now (the last kitten from this batch is going tomorrow - he's leaning against my arm sleeping as I write this), but as much fun as they were to have around, I found finding Mattie a home to be much more satisfying. I've probably already blogged about him, but Mattie was living in an old car and had been homeless for at least a year (being fed by a nice couple who couldn't take him in but wanted to help all they could). He was a big boy, and so beautiful, but older and beat up and scarred. Such a sweetheart - I loved him very much. But I assumed it would be almost impossible to find a home for him because of his age.

So when he went to his new home, it was an awesome feeling. I wish more people would be willing to adopt older cats. But at the same time, I understand why you would want a kitten --- jeepers, I LOVE having kittens here all the time! But all cats were once kittens, and they deserve homes. Would YOU adopt an older cat?

Anyway, this kitty has the right idea - time for sleep.

Meet my family

I have a big brother named Dan. He's a pastor in Truro, and plays lots of instruments, just like me. He's got a wife and three kids. I haven't met him yet, or his family. But I will.

I have a big sister named Tammy, whom I'm so proud to be related to. She's strong and smart and gifted. And she loves teens, just like me. I can see so much of myself in her, and that scares me, because I'm afraid that will make it hard for us to get close to each other. And I really want to. She has a husband and a baby on the way in September. I hope I will get to be a part of his or her life.

I have a big brother named Tim, whom I love already; I think I loved him from the moment I met him. He has a huge heart and even though I've only just begun to know him, I find that I miss him in a way I can't begin understand. His wife Erin was so quick to reach out to me, and welcomed me into their home and life like I belonged there. And that has made all the difference; I am so grateful. My niece Ana is beautiful and hilarious and articulate and it hurts me that she lives so far away and I can't watch her grow up. My niece Addison makes me melt, and it amazes me that this little person will grow up to know me as her "aunt", and her daddy's sister. I never thought I would know that feeling.

I have another brother out there somewhere, who I will probably never know, and who the others don't know either. But that's okay. For now.

I have a father out there somewhere who did a bad and violent thing, and because of that bad and violent thing, I came into the world. They didn't catch him, so I will never know him.

And I had a mother who thought of me often, who as I understand it was haunted by the secret of my birth. She kept it from everyone, even her closest friend. She revealed it, only because she had no choice when confronted with the evidence, to my sister Tammy who sought me out; my brothers didn't know I existed until after I'd been found. I wish I could have told her that she had done the right thing. I wish I could have thanked her and reassured her.

But God's timing is perfect. Of this, I have no doubt.

I am awesome

My cholesterol has dropped another point! I'm now at 5.6, and that's just with diet! SO, no medication for me! I need to start exercising, and then maybe I'll get into a "healthy" range. But 5.6! I am TOTALLY awesome. I have my results copied and hanging on my wall at work --- even my doctor said I should frame it and show it off to the world.

Here's a light update, to be followed by my "news" in another post:

1. I went to Ontario for 10 days after Christmas, and it was nice. I bought my mom a hamster, and she named him "Salvador". In Ontario, there was but dial-up, and I mourned. I knew in theory what "dial-up" meant, but to LIVE it... I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

2. Still working, 'til at least the end of February, and probably mid-March. Of course, I have a whole week on Ontario-vacation to make up, so after I'm done, I still have to work. But that is quite okay.

3. My person Jill is playing the drums for me on Sunday night when I lead music at church. This is her VERY FIRST TIME. Awesome. My person Jill is also having a baby! This is most excellent news that I can finally tell people after keeping my mouth shut for quite some time.

4. Mattie has found a good home and is doing well. We currently have 3 kittens - Muddles, Cashews and Pete. THey are VERY little and we're in the throes of potty training right now, which has proven to be gross at times. Cashews is doing great -- it's the BOYS that feel the need to poop in random places. Isn't that always the case...

5. I am travelling into Shelburne once a week now to teach Internet at the library there - 6 clients back to back, with the possibility of 2 more. LONG day. I'm dead on Thursdays. This coming Wednesday I will be enjoying supper between clients with THE Daniel Young, as well as a boy I call "Shelburne" (aka "Thank you, Dave"). Anticipating good times, had by all.

6. Saw "Bucket List" last night --- I left before the throw-up scene, then came back to enjoy the rest. Not bad at all, for what it was. THe last line was my very favourite. Looking forward to seeing Juno with Jilly when I'm over the plague.

7. I have the plague. While I imagine I have the flu shot to thank for not having gotten anything ridiculous thus far, I now have the cold to beat all colds. No, that's not true --- it's not so bad.

8. I do not have cancer, at least not that I know of. A large mass turned out to be a benign cyst. This is good news.

9. There are three episodes of House left.

10. When I was home in Ontario, I met with my dear cousin Tina, who directed me to read the book "Crow Lake", as well as a few others I have not yet gotten to, but will, because my cousin has impeccable taste, proven by "Crow Lake". I also met with my dear friend Emily (aka Mal), a lovely gal who was almost born in my father's car. Good to reconnect. AND, now I will never forget when my anniversary is, for she has given me a memory peg to hang that hat on.

11. I am blessed.