Perhaps I'm insane...

[catnapper]

but another local rescue wanted to higlight one of our special needs kitties and specifically asked for Flutter. The person they asked knows full-well that I *hope* to keep Flutter, so she asked me if I was ok with Flutter being showcased on the rescue's site for the entire month of June. I said Yes. Then she asked me "ARE YOU SURE?" I said "no, but do it." I also told her that it will have to be the PERFECT family. That I was NOT going to let her go unless I knew without a doubt in my heart that this family was the best place for her.

Now in the light of day I'm second guessing myself, but I am still resolved to at least TRY to find her a home. Isn't that what fostering and cat rescue is all about? I do know that I will NOT let her go to somebody that is interested in her merely because she has three legs, or because she's special needs. No way! I will only let her go if they fall in love with her.... the whole toalt cat that is Flutter. Her missing leg is not what she is -- she is so much more than that and I want to make sure somebody loves her for her, not her missing parts.

Anyhow... please telll me what I did was RIGHT, and not a moment of insanity. Please tell me that it'll bew hard, but she does deserve the chance to find her own family.



I love this little Flutter girl very much, and I don't want to be selfish and keep her without TRYING to find the right home first.

[catmandu]

THE SAD PART,IS THAT YOU WILL LOSE,THE COMPANY,OF FLUTTER,THE LITTLE BRAVE CAT.BUT,ON THE GOOD SIDE,THERE WILL BE SPACE,IN YOUR HOME,FOR A NEW FOSTER,THAT NEEDS YOU,AS MUCH AS FLUTTER DID.AND I PRAY,THAT FLUTTER,CAN FIND A HOME,AS NICE,AS YOUR,AND GUARDIANS,WHO WILL GIVE HIM,THE LOVE,THAT HE NEEDS.AND THE FOUND CATS,SAY,THAT HE CAN TAKE HIS TOY,WITH HIM,AS A REMINDER,OF THIER LOVE.

[catcrazylady]

Kim, you know I tease you about being a foster failure but I think you are doing a fantastic job. Don't stress over this ok? You are giving her a chance at finding a wonderful home and if that comes along you will know it. Just remember that you don't HAVE to let her go. Don't even worry about it right now and just wait and see if someone shows interest and then take it one step at a time. If someone wants her then you can follow your heart and gut. They are never wrong if we just listen.

Don't second guess yourself. You are doing exactly what "foster mommies" are supposed to do. If she finds the perfect home and you decide to let her go then you have just opened up more space in your home for the next special baby that needs you. If you decide that you can't let her go then she will already have the perfect home!

[QueenScoopalot]

I think you're attached, but thinking of Flutter's best interests which is how it should be. It should be pointed out to any prospective adopters, that it's a very real possibility that Flutter may need amputation of the rest of her limb should it start getting irritated. I went through that with Impy who used to belong to a former (thankfully) backyard neighbor. I made him go *POOF* before he was killed by a car or dog, and at that point his stump was shredded to the point of infection from him being a kitten outside. Not a cheap procedure, but his quality of life improved to the point of him using his remaining leg like a pivot when he twirls in circles chasing his tail. Flutters stump will need to be watched closely so her bone doesn't rupture through the end.

[kittycats_delight]

Kim, I think you did the right thing. You know there is no way she is going to go to a less than perfect family. And we all know you love Flutter to pieces but who wouldn't she is just amazing and such a lovebug. Maybe there is something or someone telling you this is what has to be done so you can be there for the next little one that needs your help. Maybe there is another kitty somewhere down the road that needs YOU to be his/her furrever home. We don't know what plan is laid out for us and I think maybe this is the plan God intended for you. He needed you to take in Flutter and give her lots of love but he also needs you to give her up so that you can succeed at being there for the next one that needs you. And that one day that perfect kitty who needs ONLY YOU will come into your life looking for you to be his/her new meowmie. You did the right thing. I am sure.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

Michelle

[King Spartacus]

Flutter is gorgeous!!! And I'm sure, that if a loving forever home comes along, you will know if it's the right one for her... or you'll know that YOUR forever home is the right one for her! hmmmm... mamma says: ship her over here! But I say: No way! She might be gorgeous (no matter how many legs she has!), but I couldn't bare it, if mamma started loving another kitty just as much as me!

[moosmom]

Kim,

There have been many times that I've second guessed myself when it came to my rescues. Do what is in the best interest of the cat. It'll give you piece of mind.

[jenluckenbach]

Kim, do you know what FINALLY allowed me to let fosters go without the tears or regrets? (OK, besides adopting 15 of my own? ) It was this one simple idea................



Each foster cat is mine. I care for them, and I love them as my own. They keep me company and I teach them things as my own. They ARE living with me just like they would be if I had signed the adoption papers. The only difference is that one day a family might claim them as their own. If this happens, then it is their fate. If this does not happen then fate told me they are mine to keep.

Does that make sense?

[kimlovescats]

Oh Kim .... I SOOOOOOOOO know how you feel. I agree with what lots of people said here. I'm sure you remember my beautiful Angel ... who had 2 broken back legs? I wanted to keep her so badly, so protect her .... well, I kept her about a year, then an opportunity came along for her to move on, and she did. I had her long enough to see that her handicap was not going to hold her back in one bit ... and now I have peace knowing this. Yes, I do look at her little pictures and want to cry with grief that I can't ever hold her again ... but I know that she is in a home where she is pampered, and not competing with tons of kitties like here!

Just like Jen said ... I don't even like to answer the question anymore of "Is he/she a keeper?" Why? Because to me, when they come through my front door, they are treated and loved like "keepers" until something or someone offers something better!

(((((((HUGS)))))))
Kim

[Karen]

You are NOT insane. In fact, you are better than sane. You have Flutterby's best interests at heart. And if, by chance, the people come along whose hearts she has stolen, you can let her Flutter over to bless their lives as she has blessed all of ours.

[christa]

You're not insane, but I can see why you're questioning yourself! I'm in love with her and I've never met her! Those videos you post have melted my heart though, and I can see how special she is. But . . . knowing that . . . as hard as it is . . . it may be possible that there will be a wonderful forever home for her. Here's your chance to find out . . . and if not . . .

You'll know if it's right . . . just don't do anything you don't think is right . . . if you have a good feeling about it, do it . . . if not, DON'T!

Good luck with all this! You're stronger than I could be!

[catnapper]

Awww... thanks guys. I know she's here until she's found the right home. I figure if she's still here unadopted come August then she'll be staying. There's no way I could hold onto her through any possible surgery, and love her all summer long and not end up keeping her. So I figure she's got a two month window of opportunity to find the right home. Being featured on a website specifially geared towards special needs cats, and Petfinder, and goign to adoption events... well she'll be more than exposed to potential families.

I'll continue as if she WILL be finding a home until the day I pack her up for an adoption event, and hubby turns to me to say "she won't be going anywhere today"

[rg_girlca]

I was going to say that with all that I had just read, you got some very good advice and there was nothing really that I could say that hasn't already been said.

I'm glad to read that you have a positive outlook in regards to little Flutter. I know you will do what is right and have her best interest at heart.

((((((HUGS)))))) Kim