And So It Goes

So the babies are gone, off to a more permanent foster home, where they will stay until they are adopted. I cried a little last night when I put them to bed for the night, and I cried a little more just before Debbie and her daughter arrived.

Both Debbie and her daughter (whose name escapes me) remembered very well a little ginger ninja they called Khan. They saw him in the window as they approached, and I called out, "Remember him?"

A chorus of exclamations ensued.

"Oh my gosh!"

"He's HUGE!"

"He's gorgeous!"

"He was so tiny!! Now look at him!"

I think it was nice for them to see that one of the babies they put so much time and love into grew up into a healthy and much-adored feline. They didn't call him Khan, sticking instead to my name for him, remembering that he is now Harley because of his louder-than-loud purr. He peered at them from behind the sofa, not running to hide as quickly has he usually does. I like to think he remembered their scent.

They brought with them a tiny calico, a single orphaned kitten in need of a foster home and friends. She'll be raised with my Peanuts Gang, and Debbie was contemplating a Peanuts-themed name for the baby.

We spent a few minutes making introductions. My babies were okay with the human strangers but the mystery kitten caused some angst. Too soon, we were loading everyone into carriers and I was watching Debbie drive off with them.

I went back to my apartment and cried some more.

Then I got down to the business of cleaning. It took me several hours, but I scrubbed, scoured and washed this apartment (especially the bathroom). It sparkles and shines now. At 7:30, I finally showered and made a trip to Panda Express for some dinner. The only chore left is to fold all the towels I just got out of the dryer. That can wait 'til tomorrow.

Last night I took some self-portraits with the Peanuts Gang. No one was happy to be interrupted during play time, but I got the shots.

It's quiet here tonight. Harley has figured out that everything is back to normal and won't leave me alone. I've received more head-butts, nudges and figure eights around my ankles than I've had in the last two weeks. Millie is napping on the fridge. The bathroom door is wide open, and my apartment smells of candles and faintly of bleach, rather than kitten poo and tuna.

Before they left, I took one last video. You can hear me struggling not to sob. I had tears streaming down my face the whole time.



Fostering has been a wonderful experience. I won't lie; I was ready to clean this place and have my bathroom back...I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to my babies. I know that I gave them a wonderful start, that they only benefitted from being here with me for two weeks, because I loved them and took good care of them. I'll never forget any of my sweet little friends, and I hope that wherever they end up, it is with true cat people, who will adore them and give them the best possible life.