[AmyAnne]

So, remember back in September, we had an abandoned newborn kitten here for like 6 hours? Well yesterday, I took Austin to the park, with the plan of him playing on the playground and me taking photos. Sometimes, though, plans go awry. I took aim for a parking spot with a pile of leaves at the head of it, until I saw the face of a little black kitten poking out. I quickly parked in the adjacent spot, and was surprised when the cat didn't run. Poor thing was hunkered down in a pile of leaves, blind in one eye, and so cold she couldn't move. Poor thing was still a kitten, probably about 4 months old. Austin was out of the van in a flash, trying to sacrifice his coat to this kitten so it wouldn't freeze to death. He insisted we help this poor kitten, so we loaded her into the van and drove her to the same place the last kitten went. They informed us they were full and if we left the kitten there, it would be put to sleep for sure. We took her home with us, where she spent the night in the backyard.

This morning, Austin was up before us and immediately went outside to see the kitten. He fed her and gave her water, and "borrowed" Jeff's keys to take the kitten to the garage, out of the rain (All of this was in violation of rules). He sobbed hysterically when we told him for perhaps the 700th time we could not keep the kitten.We learned the shelter in the neighboring county would accept the kitten and took her this afternoon.

We tried to keep it very positive. "We have loved having you stay with us kitty, but now it's time to go and find your forever family. We will never forget you and we hope you have nothing but love in your life". Austin was of course upset.

The positive part of this, though, was I witnessed Austin's capacity to love. It's so easy to snow people. Harder to do with animals. I saw my son be loving, nurturing and protective of a small, helpless creature and it warmed my heart. If we could have kept her, we would have, but this glimpse of my child was gift enough.

[waited2long]

A love of animals is a wonderful trait.

[Lorraine123]

Amy that is awesome. The capacit to love animals is so important. Hope the kitty finds a good home.

[lovemy6]

That is HUGE!

Do you have any pets? Maybe A should have one.

[momraine]

You might check and see if there is an animal shelter that would let him volunteer.

[AmyAnne]

Originally Posted by lovemy6

That is HUGE!

Do you have any pets? Maybe A should have one.

We already own two cats, and up until this summer we had a rabbit and a bird (Both passed away of old age). One of the cats has health issues and I cannot in good conscience take on the responsibility of another pet right now. (And since I am the one home during the day, yes, the pet is mainly my responsibility)

[AmyAnne]

Originally Posted by momraine

You might check and see if there is an animal shelter that would let him volunteer.

He has to be 13. But we are keeping it in mind for then because I think that would be a great summer project maybe 2 afternoons a week!

[momraine]

One thing you can do this summer if he won't be thirteen yet. My friends son did pet sitting for a summer and during Christmas break. He was saving up for something (I think a new bike) He was only 9 at the time. Some pets came and stayed in thier home, others remained in their owners homes. Mom mad sure G did all the work (except she drove him to the ones that stayed in owners homes) He worked hard and was so proud of earning his own money. It also helped him learn a lot about the daily care of pets that mom was not taking care of!

[Lylac]

That is awesome! He's so good with animals. And from your previous posts..wayyyyyy back. He's always been great with animals. A vet in the making?

Oh it would be so cool, if you could find a place that he could help out with animals.. A Vet's office..a groomer..momraine already said a shelter.

[AmyAnne]

Originally Posted by Lylac

That is awesome! He's so good with animals. And from your previous posts..wayyyyyy back. He's always been great with animals. A vet in the making?

Oh it would be so cool, if you could find a place that he could help out with animals.. A Vet's office..a groomer..momraine already said a shelter.

Agreed, Lylac. I think it's such a positive thing to see him behave in such a loving, protective manner towards animals. I want to encourage that.

He wants to be a herpetologist (Reptile specialist).

[kay]

My frustration with shelters is their age limit for volunteers. C was really into animals, and wanting to be a vet, and it was something I definitely wanted to encourage - but by the time he was old enough to volunteer, that was no longer cool, and the opportunity (for him) had passed. I hope you can find something to nurture your nurturer!! Yay, Austin!