The day after our wedding, my husband and I lost our beloved Penny Lane. She was my companion for 16 years - saw me through lots of formative life events - and we were both just devastated. Having fostered with Paws and Claws a handful of times already, we decided that in honor of Penny, we would find a cat on the euthanasia list at CACC and offer to foster. We originally were eyeing mom and kitten groups because that’s what we had always done. But then I saw Birdie (fka Toast), and I was pulled to her. It was almost immediate upon seeing her picture. When we picked up Birdie, she has just undergone surgery to remove one of her hind legs. I spent the days grieving over Penny with Birdie by my side grieving the loss of her leg. (Did I trauma bond with a cat?! Perhaps…..)
Last Fall, I was pregnant and it was one of the most difficult experiences I’ve ever been through. I had something called hyperemesis gravidarum, which made me incredibly ill - think food poisoning for months and months. I don’t know if I would have been able to stay positive at all without Birdie. I don’t know there was even a single day that she didn’t sit next to me for hours and hours either on the couch or in bed. When my bump started to show, she would snuggle up to it, and eventually she endured my baby girl’s kicks too. I thought to myself so many times that Penny sent me Birdie to take care of me, and I still believe this so strongly.
Birdie has become such an incredibly important part of my life. In just the couple of years we’ve been together, she’s been the most wonderful companion and protector. I’m so thankful to Ashlynn for helping me save her because I feel that Birdie has continuously saved me ever since she’s come into my life.
Love,
Molly S.