Suzi, a boxer with a fondness for cats, has always found herself in the company of felines. Her owner, Kelly Hartman, rescues kittens and cats, and Suzi has been part of this compassionate journey. Unlike many dogs, Suzi adores cats. Kelly shared:
“When she sees the cat carrier she knows exactly what it is. The kittens typically are pretty comfortable with her within 24 hours, but sometimes it takes longer. I have had kittens that like her more than they like me!”
Suzi treats the foster kittens as if they were her own puppies, cleaning, protecting, and warming them at night. However, Suzi would become very sad when the kittens were adopted.
To provide Suzi with a permanent feline friend, Kelly adopted Kushi, a one-eyed cat she had rescued. Initially, Kushi had a severe eye infection, but after getting him the necessary treatment, Kelly couldn’t bear to part with him. She recounted:
“I was so sure I would never be a foster failure. Eventually, I found someone who helped me get Kushi the treatment he needed for his eye, and she also convinced me that he was already home, that he would be the one who got away if I let him go, and she was right. He’s my perfect cat.”
Kushi and Suzi formed a close bond, with Kushi even assisting Suzi in caring for the foster kittens. Like Suzi, Kushi also felt sad when the kittens left for new homes. To keep them company, Kelly adopted another special needs cat, a blind cat named Sunny. Kelly explained:
“We knew Sunny, who is totally blind, would be a good fit, and I was interested in taking on a special needs cat. Sunny Marz acts like the kittens’ best friend. I always say that she is like the cool, older cousin.”
The animals in Kelly’s home work together to care for the foster kittens. Each pet has a role in this nurturing environment. Kelly said:
“Kushi is always grooming and caring for the kittens. He gets very upset if he hears them crying. He just wants everyone to be happy! They have always been very accepting of the animals that I bring in. Things are so quiet without kittens running around and I think they get a bit bored when it’s just us!”
With Sunny now experiencing loneliness, Kelly might need to find another cat to keep him company.
Kushi and Suzi, who thrive on the company of new feline friends, would certainly welcome another addition. Kelly’s dedication to rescuing and caring for kittens has influenced her pets, making them integral to her mission of finding loving homes for the little ones.
Sadly, this seems to have been a disturbing pattern that must be addressed. To protect future animals and provide him with the support he needs, he must be banned from ever owning animals again and undergo mandatory counseling.
Though parting with the kittens is bittersweet, the joy of nurturing them brings a sense of fulfillment to this unique animal family.
