Oliver
NOVEMBER 30, 2019
Everyone, meet my newest orphan! My boss spotted him on the side of the road today, took him to get checked out by a vet, and then she called me.
I went right over with all my baby supplies and to show her the ropes with feeding, but when I arrived I discovered that he was very cold — far too cold to eat.
So he’s with me for now. He’s warmed up and has eaten a little from the bottle. I have tried slurry without success, so I’ll just have to take things as they come.
He’s been winking at me…
DECEMBER 1, 2019
It has been nearly a year since we decided to open our home and our hearts to orphans. It has been a magnificent and emotional journey so far. I’ve watched sick babies recover, stray babies get adopted, new babies be born, a mom try to eat her young, and I was there when 11 tiny dogs needed me to step in and be their mom.
Being a foster mom requires the inevitable and heart wrenching goodbyes. Every baby I ever loved received a speech from a tearful foster mommy which wished them well and reminded them that if a human was ever mean to them, to just find their way back home and I’d be there with open arms.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to stay in touch with the family who adopted your foster and through them get to watch that baby grow up. Other times you just get to hold them inside your heart and hope for them.
But today was a different kind of goodbye with a different kind of speech — one that I have known would come.
Tiny little Oliver had a hard night. I couldn’t keep him warm and he didn’t want to be. By early this afternoon my gut was telling me that this vulnerable, short little life was nearing its end. And it was. He had something called intussusception. His intestines telescoped in on themselves and he was far too week for surgery. It was his time to go.
I spent a lot of hours sitting on the bathroom floor pulling for him and thinking about how this baby wound up on the side of the road, cold and covered in feces. Knowing what I know now, I think some asshole dumped him off when they found out he would need surgery.
Death is something I’ve seen a lot of over the course of my life and I am generally at peace with the notion of dying. It’s part of life: it’s the end. But today, perhaps I am the most saddened by the fact that we didn’t get more time. He deserved more time to know love and joy and warmth and good hearts, and I should have got more time to right the wrong of the unfortunate humans who dumped him like a piece of trash. Life is never fair, but it should be fair to a 22oz fluffy baby kitty who never wronged anyone in his short little life.
I like to think that for the short time we knew him, he did know love and that my beloved boss and I made some difference, if only in his heart. I hope he died knowing he was loved and worthy of a real life— a special one with a special human who listened to him and figured out what a good life would mean to him. I hope he knew how hard I fought for him and how much I tried.
My boss is the hero in all of this. She made the choice to stop to see if something that looked like a hat was actually a living being. And she scooped him up and immediately began caring for him without hesitation. I am proud to work for a woman with such compassion and love in her soul, and we have formed a special bond by loving this kitten and trying to save him together. I will never forget this day — it has left an imprint on my soul.
I’m going to grieve for him as well as the human race for a little while. I’m going to clean up his litter boxes, and rinse the formula out of the shaker and wash his blankies. I’m going to wash the syringes and bottles and nipples. I’m going to put the bathroom back in order, removing the laundry, the stethoscope, the thermometer and the lube. I’m going to lose my shit about it and bloody well have my feelings.
And after that, I’m going to foster more kittens.
DECEMBER 7, 2019
What only a few of you know is that since the Great Puppy Incident of 2019, I have been considering fostering kitties. My puppies need a little more time (read: manners) before I’ll be ready to have more puppies in this house.
But I just kept putting it off because I had never cared for kittens before. Would I know what do?
Then, in walked little Oliver. I didn’t have a choice but to try to help, and although it didn’t work out the way we hoped, he did show me that I can and that I should.
So today, I welcome my first PLANNED foster kittens, who have yet to be named, but will be soon! And they are C-U-T-E!
DECEMBER 10, 2019
DECEMBER 24, 2019
Two kittens who used to be homeless went to their forever families today, and this foster mom couldn’t be happier to send them off knowing their futures are bright.
DECEMBER 29, 2019
I haven’t yet formally introduced these babies because I was busy with Christmas and I was previously just babysitting for another foster. I think it has been settled that they’ll continue to stay in foster with me as Fiona (the only kitten left from the original 4) needs playmates. And let’s face it, I love having kittens in the house!
Without further ado, please meet Dash and Max! They are tiny, friendly and very spunky babies who love to play and eat and explore! Dash is the grey and white one, and Max is the handsome little black guy with the white goatee. He was just neutered the day after Christmas, so they’re both ready to find their forever homes.
These are pictures from “Sunday Snuggles.”
JANUARY 2, 2020
Chloe (formerly Tizzy) is back for a few days while her new family is away, so tonight we all watched birds on YouTube to celebrate her arrival.
JANUARY 11, 2020
Fiona and Dash were adopted this week!
But they’re still here. 
Fiona will leave tomorrow and Dash will leave this week.
Max goes to an adoption event tomorrow so hopefully he’ll get adopted and won’t be the lone kitten until more babies arrive…which will be soon…because I need to love as many babies as possible!
JANUARY 10, 2020
Please everyone help me welcome six of the most pissed off kittens you’ve ever met. They all hate me for giving them intake baths and flea medicine, so you’ll have to be introduced by webcam.
Please let us hope in time I may share evidence of their positive and adoptable attributes.
JANUARY 14, 2020
Y’all. This kitten is exactly everything anyone ever wanted in a feline.
Sorry he’s already been adopted, but not as sorry as I am.
JANUARY 21, 2020
My aunt and uncle came to town this weekend to pet kittens and decided I needed a humdinger of a cat tree. Today my uncle delivered and assembled it, and 4/6 kittens were out of hiding long enough for me to snap this picture!
My kitty paradise is slowing starting to take shape and I am so grateful for the love and support I have received!
FEBRUARY 2, 2020
Everyone has been adopted except Lorena Bobbitt. Turns out she isn’t as much of a crab when she’s had some time to adjust and is the only cat in the kitty palace.
She taught me that love can rehab even the pissiest of kittens.
Listen to her purr.
FEBRUARY 6, 2020
Only Lenny would try to play with a kitten named Lorena Bobbitt.
FEBRUARY 11, 2020
Lorena Bobbitt, my 12th and most challenging kitten to date, found her forever home this weekend!
Difficult as she was, she taught me the most about kitties. I will forever be grateful to her for that, and for all the snuggles I eventually received.
Goodbye, Lorena, and remember: don’t hiss too much at your new family!
FEBRUARY 11, 2020
Phoenix is lucky number 13 and is as sweet as she can be! She’s loving and she purrs a lot, and she was able to keep the peace when her roommate (Lorena) objected to her arrival at the orphanage.
She’ll get spayed tomorrow and already has a family who wants to meet her!
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Lenny giving Cam a proper welcome.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Crazy Town! We love you all!
We have an adoption event tomorrow at PetValu in the shopping center across from UMW. It starts at 11. Come find yourself a proper Valentine, canine or feline! Phoenix and Cam (whose good nature and all around confident badass status is shown in this video) will be there ready to meet you!
JUNE 12, 2020
My former foster and all star cutie pie, my snuggly girl, my mini tiger Elaine (Ally after adoption) crossed the rainbow bridge today, just a couple months after finding her furever family who, by the way, were perfect for her.
She was found to have something called FIP which is a disease caused by feline coronavirus, of all things. It’s rare, it’s fatal and it’s just not fair.
I am sad she didn’t get to live a long life and I am sad that her family won’t get to have her in their future. I always say, however, that every being deserves to go out of this life having known love and affection, and boy did Ally get that. I am grateful to her family for the spectacular life they gave her.
When we love an animal, we open our hearts to proleptic and inevitable hurt, not knowing how long we’ll get to share our lives with them. We never expect the end to come so soon.
Ally’s people are my heroes tonight. They took a gamble on love. They willingly and lovingly opened their hearts to a rescue kitten who got sick. And they saw her through and loved her and cared for her until the end. She was a lucky little girl having known such kind humans, and my heart belongs to them tonight as I know theirs are hurting too.
I hope there are A LOT of comfy hats there, sweet Ally. And if you see Farley, tell him you knew me.
FEBRUARY 22, 2020
Welcome, Dim Sum and Dumpling, my 14th and 15th foster kittens! They came with fleas and a big appetite, and have had baths, flea meds and lots and lots of food and pets!
MARCH 23, 2020
Cat in the hat.
Elaine (in the hat) has an adopter, but Matilda does not. Matilda is fun, she plays a lot, and she’s just the right amount of crazy. She loves head rubs, and is confident around dogs and humans. And I love her!
Remember: no pet ever complained about a quarantine…
APRIL 2, 2020
My mini tiger, Elaine was adopted today by the sweetest family. The goodbyes are bittersweet, but my heart is so happy for her as I know she’s going to be well loved and live a purrfect life.
Happy tails, my special girl.
MAY 13, 2020
Hello, friends!
My life since this crisis started has taken me for a spin. I have been working a lot and have had to take a slight hiatus from fostering until I am able to care for anyone else. Literally, like not even one more plant.
Anyway, my pal Alyson Edgecomb got a pregnant mama cat who not only DID NOT try to eat her babies, but also reared a newborn that wasn’t even her own.
She has done her time and is looking for a home worthy of such a fine feline. If you are interested in meeting her or know of anyone who might be, please either get in touch with Alyson or me and I can put you in touch.
APRIL 5, 2020
Lenny’s kitten, Matilda, was adopted yesterday. That makes 17 kittens who have come and gone in such a short period of time. And now the orphanage is empty once more.
We think that Lenny saw that Matilda was a baby as he would groom her and lick her, and of course he showed her the fine art of watching squirrels out the window.
Good luck, Silly Tilly! We’ll love you always.
JUNE 14, 2020
Everyone please meet my newest fosters — the sauces!
There is one other super tiny floof hiding up there, but I can’t introduce you to her yet. Soon though.
Half of these babies are already at weight for alter, so I can take meet and greet requests pretty soon.
They’ve had baths, flea/eye meds, eye crust removal, ears cleaned, and lots of food and treats. I’m still evaluating for URI symptoms which are common in kittens with gunky eyes, but so far everyone seems in good health (better after a bath!)
Keep tuned for more surprises and better pictures as the week unfolds.
JUNE 2, 2020
It’s been a cute week for the sauce kittens in Crazy Town. They’ve come out of hiding and have been making use of all the amenities.
Al Fredo (who I’m calling Fat Al) always has a full belly and he has been known to scarf
down the wet food and “growl” at tiny Marshmallow Floof when she tries to get to the bowl! As it is important for the tiniest babies to get some patè, Fat Al has landed himself in quarantine with his own plate while the smaller, dainty eaters get a head start.
I love Al Fredo, though, because he’s so full of personality. He’s small himself, but he struts around with the confidence to match his tiger stripes. He’s even met Ellen!
The others are still timid around people, but making progress and will engage in play with the scary humans. Like every other kitten who has stayed here, their favorite playtime is in the middle of the night. That’s when it’s a party in kitten room, but it can only be observed by floof cam.
JUNE 17, 2020
If it’s dinner time and you can’t find Daniel…
JULY 3, 2020
I bid farewell to my playful and fun Al Fredo today, and he couldn’t be going to a better home.
In his new life, he’ll be called Cowboy and he has the personality to match the name!
Wishing him a long, happy, and spoiled life in his furever home because I know that’s what he’s going to get!
Go get ‘em, Cowboy!
JULY 5, 2020
Shy but playful Marshmallow Floof continues to gain weight and should be ready for spay later this week. Mikey the funny pup no longer has a fever and is eating like a pig, gaining weight fairly quickly. He’ll be tagging along with my floofy kitten for a quick snip snip, and soon both will be looking for their furever homes.
Both babies are currently taking meet and greet requests, but they ask that you contact me, their foster mom, as their schedules do not allow time for calendar maintenance.
JULY 8, 2020
Tom wants everyone to know he’s still here and waiting for his family to find him.
He was neutered last week, but had a little discharge from one eye so we’ve let him get healed up and he’s looking as good as new.
Statistically, black cats (and dogs) are the least likely to be adopted, but I assured Tom that the numbers are on his side. Tom actually has tiger stripes that glow in the sunlight, and I know that black tigers are very popular, as they are rare and special.
And this one particularly loves to play, and he likes to be pet, but do not be tempted to rub his belly when he rolls over. It’s a trap!
JULY 11, 2020
First things first: Congratulations to Mikey, Tom Ari, and Marshmallow Floof. They all found their furever families today and we wish them well!
But since Lenny and Ellen just finished a foster assignment and were so kind and patient and tolerant, today is their day!
They ran, they played, they met their new puppy cousin and some horses. Ellen, unaware that she’d have access to an actual pool, cooled herself in the horse watering trough.