They're Special Little Boys, They Are

It's been a little while now since Bradley and Morgan left the nest. I've been holding off a little on their adoption story since I don't have new babies yet and wanted to spread out the love a little. Now it's time.

A while back I made a facebook connection with Penny, a childhood friend who lives on the right side of the state. Since I'm on the left, we haven't had an opportunity to see one another, but she's someone I think I'd instantly feel at home with even after all these years. Facebook is good that way.

A long-time friend of hers had recently mentioned that he and his wife were looking to add some kittens to their lives. They had lost their 19 year old cat some time ago and were ready for littles. He lives close by me, so she referred him. Wow. What a stroke of luck for me, for this great couple and especially for Bradley and Morgan.

Once the initial contact was made I knew without hesitation that this was a good family. I realize it's been said and said again, but sometimes it's so clear right off the bat. I continue to meet such genuinely good people through fostering. They remind me over and over again of what kindness there is all around if we're open to it.

We hit a few snags before all was said and done. I had set up a time to meet with Richard and his wife at the shelter to give them an opportunity to meet the boys. This was before the kittens were ready for adoption, just a meet and greet. Well, then I fractured my dang foot and was unable to go, so my uber-friend Laurie offered to come by, pick up the boys and meet with the potential adopters at the shelter. Bless her sparkly heart.

As (bad) luck would have it, that same morning was when I noticed that Tiny had been hurt. It was a Saturday and my vet was not available, so I was panicking about getting him to an Emergency Clinic. I decided that I'd drive him myself - in spite of my foot - once Laurie had picked up the boys.

Well, when she learned about my predicament, Laurie got on the horn to our friend Sarah who agreed to meet her and the kittens at the shelter and do the meet and greet with Richard and his wife.

So Laurie came by and picked up not only the babies, but Tiny Man as well, left the kittens at the shelter with Sarah and headed to the Emergency Clinic with Tiny. My dear, dear friends. I am so grateful.

Sarah reported that the meeting went well, I contacted Richard and yes, they wanted to adopt! I estimated the time it would take for the boys to reach two pounds, padded it a little just to be safe and scheduled them for surgery. 

Well, Morgan refused to gain weight, surgery postponed.  Richard was patient. Time dragged by, the boys were finally neutered, and Bradley developed an inflamation and fever postponing the adoption yet again. Richard was SO patient. When that was resolved, we finally had a date for the adoption and I was finally going to meet these great people, Morgan developed a fever as well! Egad.

We all put our heads together, along with Dr. Smith, and decided that the boys would be sent home with an antibiotic for Morgan.  Little ones can be pretty unpredictable, and these things are not uncommon with kittens. The fever would very likely resolve in a few days just as Bradley's had. They needed to go to their new home. It was time.

Richard and his wife are empty-nesters who have two young grandsons that spend a great deal of time with them. While the kittens "belong" to Grandma and Grandpa, each boy was able to choose their kitten for the times when they're visiting. They were all so excited to finally get the kittens home.  It was abundantly clear to me that there is a lot of love in this family.

Richard is looking forward to retirement in a few months from a very long career in police work. Kicking back with grandkids and kittens sounds like the ideal way to unwind from decades of stress most of us can't imagine. He commented to me in a message once they'd had the kittens home for a few days that "We've needed these guys in our lives for a long time." Yep, I got weepy.

I didn't think to take a picture at the shelter while the adoption was being completed, so you'll have to use your imagination. Bradley and Morgan in their shiny new crate, a fancy one with a removable lid, side by side, cheek pressed to cheek, arms around each other. What follows are a few I did manage to get before they left.

Thank you Richard and family for your years of service and sacrifice.  Wishing you many, many more of peaceful, gentle relaxation.

Best snugglers ever.