From Fostering to Adopting, Part 1 – My Story 從代養到領養, 1: 我的親身體驗

 

After adopting Soji many years ago, who was a rescued cat, we decided that instead of buying an animal, we’d adopt. Almost 10 million pets are euthanized in shelters in the US alone every year, and among them, most are cats. Since a lot of animals enter the shelter everyday, space is very limited. Unfortunately the ones who don’t get adopted within a certain amount of time are often euthanized, unless it’s a no-kill shelter. Offering foster care or adoption to your local shelters can make a whole lot of difference to the shelters, to the animals, and even in your own life! This is one such story, my own.

Coping With the Loss of Your Pet 走出失去寵物的悲傷, 2

I know you might think I were crazy if I told you that I believe in animal communicators, but I ask you to continue to read with an open mind. After my baby angel, Soji, left us, without even discussing it with each other, my husband and I both knew what we were going to do next - yes, consult with an animal communicator! Soji's last veterinarian, Dr. Anne-Marie Gagnon, is a holistic vet who was able to communicate with Soji on the surface level and send her energy to help her during her sickness. When we spoke to her on the phone and asked her if she knew anyone who could help us, she kindly recommended us to someone she knew, Susan Hamlin. 

 

Coping With the Loss of Your Pet 走出失去寵物的憂傷, 1

Life without Soji (our cat) has not been easy these past 4 months. After all, we spent 14 years of our life with her! Before Soji, I had never had a cat. If anything, I was a little afraid of cats. I remember that my husband and I just started dating before we met Soji. He liked to tease me and suggested that maybe I should get a cat. He was out one day and, coincidentally, saw a flier from a neighbor who was looking for someone to watch her cat for about 2 weeks. He showed it to me. At the time, I thought, why not? I'd get to earn a few bucks, the time wasn't long, and it'd be a great chance for me to learn some cat skills. Before deciding, we went to visit the neighbor, and Soji simply looked too cute for us to say no, so we brought her home right away. Unexpectedly, she and I became very close almost instantly. (I guess I'm a natural, after all!) Before it came time to return her, we checked in with our neighbor and were surprised when she told us that if we wanted her, we could keep her (apparently, Soji didn't quite get along very well with our neighbor's other 3-legged cat.) We realized... Oh, that's why!

Goodbye, My Baby Angel... 再會了，我的寶貝小天使...

December 2nd started out with a horrible morning for us, and it was by far the worst and the saddest day in my life. We awoke to find our cat, Soji, having a seizure and salivating on the floor. We rushed to bring her to the hospital, but by the time we arrived, she was nearly gone and we had to let her go. It all happened very quickly--too quickly. It was unexpected and yet, expected. We are devastated, all we can think about is her. I knew I would have to write this as part of my healing process.