Valuable and empowering activities
I have learned over the years that one of the most effective ways to deal with a difficult situation is to be busy or distracted. Too much time to “think” can be very dangerous. The greatest gift we can give ourselves is a project or activity that keeps us busy and at the same time is extremely enjoyable.
Several months ago, a box of young kittens was left on the side of the road near my summer camp, Adventure Valley Day Camp. Since there are no coincidences in life, I think it was meant to be that someone happened by chance and heard the kittens crying in the box. The next thing I knew, I was at the vet with three young, healthy and adorable kittens.
I saw this as a gift from the Universe – something wonderful to be busy with and an opportunity to make a difference. It is also remarkable how animals have such a natural ability to show gratitude and appreciation. My vet told me that there is a desperate need for foster homes for young kittens and that due to a shortage of foster homes, healthy kittens are euthanized every day.
We immediately transformed my daughter’s bedroom and adjacent bathroom into a kitten nursery: litter box, food and water bowls, a comfortable pet bed, and lots of toys.
The kittens took a lot of time and attention, but they were an absolute joy. Within a few weeks they were plump and old enough to be adopted.
We found wonderful homes for them and have heard from families that they are precious and beloved pets.
Since then we became an official kitten rescue home and received a new litter of 4 very young kittens left in a box outside of Petsmart. We bottle-feed and sand-train these little kitties, and we’ve watched them grow into absolutely adorable and cuddly little pets. They love to play together and zoom around chasing each other. They are in excellent health, fully litter box trained, playful, cuddly, entertaining, and highly sociable. They love a lot of attention!
It is a pleasure to be busy caring for these kittens and I look forward to finding wonderful homes for them. When you first look at a litter of little kittens, the work and time required to care for them can seem overwhelming and scary. That’s where my sense of determination and desire to take on a challenge jump in! That feeling of empowerment, the idea of helping, doing something worthwhile, achieving and succeeding, drives me to JUST DO IT!
Dream. Visualize. Conceived. Believe. Be persistent. Never give up. I will persevere! I’m worth it! I can do it!
Nothing builds self-esteem, self-confidence, and a feeling of empowerment like a significant challenge followed by an achievement. At the center of the empowerment concept is the idea of the ability to solve a problem, have a purpose, do something important. Realizing that you have the desire and ability to care for dependent little kittens, and that because of your tender love and care, they can be healthy, happy, and playful, is incredibly enriching.
I firmly believe that there is nothing that generates a feeling of empowerment more than doing something meaningful and important.
Ironically, the reality is that you will soon discover that it is not such a big company after all.
When you rescue kittens, you are doing something important. You are giving these animals a second chance. You are keeping them alive. They will cry for you, need and depend on you, and will love and cherish you with unconditional gratitude and love.