Half a decade back, Amanda Kruczynski made a conscious choice to become a foster volunteer. During her orientation, she was imparted with significant knowledge on fostering that remains paramount even today – “saying goodbye holds immense value”. In simpler terms, the ultimate objective of fostering is to bid a fond farewell to the fostered individual(s).
According to Amanda, foster pet parents have the responsibility of nurturing the animals until they are healthy and confident enough to be adopted into their permanent homes. Although it can be challenging to part ways with the pets, it is gratifying to know that you played a role in finding them a loving family. Amanda was deeply affected by the unexpected arrival of Meeseeks, a kitten with curly hair who arrived a year ago. Meeseeks and his feline family were found in a cardboard box outside in the rain, but were eventually rescued and placed with foster families at Broward County Animal Care.
The next day, Amanda arrived at the shelter and was informed about a small family that needed her help. She learned that the mother of the kittens was a long-haired diluted tortie that had FIV. Meeseeks, one of the kittens, stood out from the others because he appeared to be a Devon Rex Mix, which made him unique. Although three of his siblings were also long-haired, they didn’t stand out like Meeseeks did. Amanda found out that the kittens required urgent foster care, and without any hesitation, she stepped forward to offer her assistance.
Meeseeks, the smallest of his litter, weighed less than half a pound and stood out due to his petite size compared to his siblings. His foster mom, Amanda, provided him with love and care during his early days. Meeseeks was always eager for affection and would curl up into a tiny ball that perfectly fit in Amanda’s palm. He bonded closely with her and followed her everywhere she went. Amanda cherished their relationship and remembers how Meeseeks never took his eyes off her, even waiting patiently on the other side of closed doors.
Amanda received devastating news a couple of weeks later; the test outcomes for the kittens returned positive for panleukopenia, which is a typically fatal disease for young kittens. Nevertheless, Amanda refused to give up and was ready to support her furry companions in their battle until the end.
Meeseeks, even though he was the runt of his litter, managed to overcome the odds and pull through after being given medical attention for a whole week. In the course of his recuperation, he frequently sought solace in the company of Amanda, which could have been the driving force behind his determination to recover.
Amanda made the decision to take her adorable cats to the shelter with the hope that they would find their permanent homes. She had no doubts about this decision until she laid eyes on Meeseeks, who was looking up at her from the group of fluffy siblings in his carrier. He appeared to be eagerly signing the adoption papers himself, making Amanda rethink her choice.
Meeseeks has come to Amanda for help once more and it’s for a pretty important reason. It turns out that during his early days, he had a health condition that was missed by the vet. Unfortunately, despite multiple visits to the vet, his condition worsened rapidly. After undergoing several procedures, such as exploratory laparotomy and receiving a cancer misdiagnosis, Meeseeks was finally diagnosed with Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia.
Meeseeks, our beloved furry friend, is battling a newly discovered inflammatory illness called FGESF. This disease makes it challenging for Meeseeks to keep his food down and leaves us uncertain about his lifespan. Our vet is continually researching the latest treatments to manage his condition indefinitely. Meeseeks requires daily doses of steroids, weekly B12 injections, and anti-nausea medication as required. Despite the obstacles he faces, Meeseeks remains a fighter and has demonstrated resilience from the start. We are optimistic that he will continue to battle this disease for many years to come.
Amanda treasures the time she spends with her dear cat friend. He is always in good spirits, whether he’s sitting on a windowsill or chasing a red laser dot. Her kitty never fails to bring happiness to their household. Despite this, Amanda’s furry pal remains deeply attached to her. He always follows her into different rooms and eagerly scratches at her pillow each night, seeking snuggles under the covers. She affectionately calls him a “cuddle bug” and values their journey together more than anything else.
In October, Mr. Meeseeks turned one year old, surprising everyone as he was not predicted to live. Amanda cherishes their relationship and the valuable lessons he taught her. With him by her side, she gained a new perspective on life and realized that love can manifest in a furry companion with four legs.
Some things don’t change and that’s a comforting thought 🙂
