Jett Rehomed – Definitely More Bitter than Sweet

I will start by saying that I’m sure tiny Jett went to a well-screened, perfectly wonderful forever home, and I’m ultimately glad about that.

I really, really, REALLY hate how this one went down, and we are recommitted now to never ever letting this happen this way again.

As I just wrote that, I just had an epiphany about myself and fostering. It is totally not all about the kittens. Part of what I love and what is important to me isn’t just raising great kittens – it’s about placing them with people who are right for them, and vice versa. It’s about the people, too. That’s why when my dear friend Les wasn’t sure about a kitten, but I just knew “Nostache” was extra special, and needed someone just right, I let her know, and she came to meet him, and now she has the wonderful Eckersley – because I was right.

Anyway, I met Jett’s people at Petsmart while I was visiting yesterday. They adored her, and she picked them. She nursed on their fingers, and lovied them up like she hadn’t done for anyone else. They had visited three times that week, and although she had had an allergic reaction, they were working out ways to make it work because, she picked them, and wormed her tiny black body into their hearts, and sunk her claws in deep. We sat together for 2 hours yesterday. It was awesome. I wanted them to have her SO BAD! They called the rescue coordinator about 4 times while we were together, leaving messages. I left there without knowing if it would work out, but hoping, and they had my info for hopeful future updates.

Today we went to visit Joule, and Jett was gone. That, first of all, is part of why I will never do this this way again. I was told I’d know when they got approved for adoption, and except for when I was AT Petsmart and got to meet the people, that hasn’t happened once. I understand how difficult that may be, logistically, but I’m not just some foster they dropped a few kittens off with – these were MY babies, and I signed them up with them because I hadn’t found them homes. Ah … another epiphany. For them, it’s all about the kittens. It’s not about the people at all, aka me.

Anyway, I asked if it was Paul and Jen who got her, and it wasn’t, and I was seriously bummed. About a half hour into our visit, I saw Jen peeking into the area, and we grinned wildly at each other, and I gave her a big hug. She told me she’d been approved after a really long interview with the coordinator, and she and her fiancee were SO excited! I told her Jett was gone, and neither of us could understand!

I’m not sure really where the screw up was; somehow someone else had gotten approval to take Jett, and the manager let them leave with her, even though the adoption coordinator said that only Paul and Jen were approved for Jett. The man who adopted Jett was called, and apparently he said that had it been an hour or so earlier (he had only had her about 2 hours at that point) that maybe he’d have brought her back, but he’d already introduced her to his other cat, and started the process, and no, he wouldn’t bring her back.

Jen was in tears, and so was I. This was one of the most horrible things ever. And I won’t do it again. I got the most adorable photo of the two of them holding Jett like a baby, while she purred and just loved them. I’m not posting it because I think Jen may come by to the website, and I honestly think it might be too painful for her (well, and I didn’t get permission to post the picture, either.)

My whole afternoon and evening has been colored by this, and I can’t even find much happiness in Jett’s adoption, like I usually would. I’m quite sure the people at the rescue place think I’m just a nutcase about my kittens, and that all that matters is that they got a great home. But that’s rather like telling a woman who had an unwanted, unnecessary c-section that “all that matters is a healthy baby” while totally dismissing the complete violation of her own experience in the process. Of COURSE I want Jett to have a great home, and I’m glad of it, just like a woman wants a healthy baby – but for chrissake – the process and the way you get there DOES matter too!

So, yeah. Not doing this any more. I’m more determined than ever to find other ways to rehome future foster kittens, that don’t require me signing them over to anyone else. Amanda and I have been talking about setting up our own 501c3 corporation for a couple of years – this is the year I’ll make it happen, one way or another. Then we can get the discount vet care, pull from shelters ourselves, and never have to let someone else tell us (or not tell us!) what to do with the tiny lives we’ve cared for.

Joule is still at Petsmart, and if she doesn’t get adopted in the next few days I hope they’ll let her come back as a foster, and if not we’ll formally adopt her. We won’t bring Pampi or Photon to Petsmart. I’m not going through this again. They are technically the rescue’s now, but I’ll pay the adoption fee to regain control of them if needed.

Joule, after not seeing Aidon for a week, was SO happy to see him.

I need to get more recent pics of Pampi. I seem to be lacking in those!

Joule has one of the prettiest faces ever, and the personality to go with it. She is SWEET!

If anyone want one of the sweetest kittens EVER, I still have Pampi and Photon, and like I said, Joule is still available too.

Photon is gorgeous, and he knows it, and has so much personality, I will probably need to do an entire blog post just on him.

No, really two tons of personality. Maybe more.

Also, snuggly!

Joule does know how to be a little bit naughty – she’s right up where she shouldn’t be, playing with a mousey.

Goodbye Jett. You are a wonderful kitten, and I’m glad you got a forever home, with a buddy, it sounds like. I’m sorry you didn’t go to the people I think you picked. Suck some fingers for me, little one.