They say we don’t choose the rescues; they choose us. In my case, it was a cat named Fanny who rewrote my entire life plan and made me move to a house, turning it into a foster home.
It started when Fanny was found on the streets, vulnerable and recovering from a recent eye removal surgery. I couldn’t bear the thought of her being left to fend for herself, so I stepped in. I reached out to a “rescuer” for advice on a boarding facility, and Fanny was moved there.
To my horror, I discovered she was being kept in a cage. I was told it was “temporary,” but my heart sank every time I thought of her confined in that small space while trying to heal.
A surprise and a race against time
The situation became even more urgent when we rushed Fanny to the hospital, only to discover she was pregnant and very close to delivering.
At the time, I was in the middle of finalizing a rent contract for a new place. When I saw a photo of Fanny in that same cramped cage with her three newborns, I knew I couldn’t wait another second. I accelerated everything; the move, the furniture, the setup; all for them.
That May, Karim loaded up the carriers and brought the whole family home: Fanny, Frida, Felix, and Fred.
The relief I felt watching them step out of those carriers and into a real home is a feeling I’ll never forget. No more cages. No more cold metal bars. No more empty water and food bowls. Just a peaceful space for three kittens to grow and for a brave mother to finally rest.
The heart of the matter
As the weeks turned into months, we went through the usual routine of rescue life: vaccinations, checkups, and neutering. But during one of Fanny’s exams, a vet noticed a heart murmur.
After multiple specialist opinions and echographies, the diagnosis was clear: Fanny had chronic heart disease. She would require lifelong treatment and specialized care. In that moment, I knew. I knew Fanny wasn’t just a foster; she was staying with me forever. I couldn’t risk giving her to someone who might not be prepared for the “worst-case scenario,” and quite honestly, I couldn’t imagine anyone loving her more than I did.
Growth and goodbyes
While Fanny and I managed her health, her babies grew into beautiful, healthy cats. I am so happy to share that Frida, Felix, and Fred have all found their forever homes and are living the lives I dreamed for them back when they were just tiny kittens in a cage.
Fanny, however, remained my constant companion.
Sadly, in January 2024, Fanny’s heart became too weak. She passed away during a routine checkup at the vet. It was a devastating loss, but I am filled with gratitude that she chose me. She taught me what it truly means to be a foster, and eventually, a “foster failure” in the best possible way.
Thank you, Fanny, for letting me be your home. You will remain in my heart forever.
