July | 2018 | Madge Midgely

I knew the black kittens would be the last to go from day one. Eventually I googled it and was confirmed in my assumption. I really didn’t want to have to surrender these little lovers to the Animal Shelter, where they may be euthanized because of disinterest, superstition and shelf life expiration dates. I’ve noticed significant maturity in these two in the weeks since their siblings were re-homed. These are lovers that deserve a chance.

I decided to reach out to Black Dog Animal Rescue, primarily for that reason. I am also slightly connected to the founder Britney Wallesch, as we graduated from the same high school a year apart and she introduced me at the 2017 Cheyenne TEDx Conference. I really enjoy Britney’s drive to start a supporting home grown solution to the issue of animal euthanization by making a commitment to animals by finding them loving homes, going so far as to start the Black Dog Animal Rescue organization.

Yesterday, Thursday July 5th, 2018, I had an assessment meeting with Beth Gunthardt, the Animal Admissions and Foster Program Manager of BDAR. I loaded BB & IB into the cat crate and took them on their first car ride. They had a lot to say about the trip but were good sports nonetheless. I’ve continued to communicate what is about to occur with them through all the transitions of their early life.

“Momma needs a break, she is going with me for a while.”

“You all are going to have visitors tomorrow because they want to find a companion, they are most interested in __________. ___________, might have a new home tomorrow.”

“___________ is leaving in an hour. Time to say your good-byes and give playful loves! “

“In fifteen minutes _______________ new family will be here…. lets have one last session of kisses, kittery toss, and belly rubs!”

This trip was no different. We talked through the drive and arrived at the new BDAR location. When I walk through the door holding the cat crate of Big Boy and Itty Bitty, I am met by Stitches, a small heeler type with big eyes and a kind but curious demeanor. There is a primarily white calico cat in a large crate along the west wall, meowing loudly. An earth toned tubby tabby grabs my attention as it jumps on the counter and begs for belly rubs. An older black cat lays lazily in a cat bed on the admission counter and Beth steps around the corner ready to introduce Stitches.

Beth is a friendly, earthy lady, probably in her 30’s with a love of animals. There is dedication and patience in her demeanor. The building I walk into is in a residential neighborhood between Nationway and Lincolnway. BDAR had just moved into this building which appears to be a house but as you walk in you can tell it is in the midst of renovations to accommodate the purpose of the Rescue.

Beth and I talk a little bit, and she takes a look at the kittens and approves them. I get some paperwork to sign and they are taken to the back for their first round of shots and dewormer. I finish the paperwork and take a seat to wait. It could be until next week that a foster family is available.

While I am waiting the biggest domestic cat I have ever seen walks out of an adjoining room. This gigantic cat kind of looks like it could be a bobcat. It is bigger than Stitches the dog. He comes over vying for attention and he licks my hand…. good lord this cat has a tongue eight times the size of Quantum. I immediately want to know how much food he requires once Beth emerges from the back. She simply says “A lot. He is always on a diet.” I wonder if any of his owners surrendered him just out of the fear that he might eat their face off in the middle of the night. He seemed super sweet, so it was probably just the food bill.

Beth sends me home with some extra dewormer for Quantum and Capricious, and says that I will hear from her soon. I am super thankful for the dewormer and the generosity of assistance.

This morning (the next day) I receive a call from Beth, saying they have a foster home. The foster parent is a lady named Katie who works reception at Cottonwood Vet Clinic, which is adjoined to the old BDAR building. I immediately go talk to my brood about situation. Both BB and IB are chill. They play, and when I come in, they are full of so much love and gentleness. I know they are going to make this hard on me. Kisses are had, pets and belly rubs abound. Before I know it, it is nearing 1pm and it’s time to load them up for their second and last road trip in my possession.

I show up to Cottonwood Vet Clinic. It has nice off street parking, and a discrete location next to the air port, an elementary school adjacent to a residential area. This is obviously a small and intimate practice, which I admire in all sorts of health care, whether people or pets. When I walk in there is a lady at the receptionist table and I ask if she is Katie, she says “no” and calls Katie out from the back.

Katie has a vibration that is exactly attuned to what you want to feel in a vet office. She is calm but in power. Her voice is sweet and she seems happy to take the critters into her care. I give her some background, pass off their transition pillows and transition food, give one last round of love and head on my way. I admit, I got a little teary eyed in the parking lot.

When I came home I took the empty crate into my room. Both Capricious and Quantum looked confused but knowing. The dynamic in there is significantly different by eliminating two at once. Quantum is in heat again and that just shifted about 36 hours ago… so even though it is the same cats, the mood is very different.

I plan on getting updates for BB and IB. I think it is cool they get to stay together for now. I am sure it will make the transition easier since Katie is only offering foster care and not a purrmenent home. I feel so incredibly blessed to have the sweetness of their being in my life for the last sixteen weeks. I wish them nothing but love, safety and adventure in their new life.

Thank you, bdar.org .