Caregivers in Training

June 18th, 2010

For Christmas this past December, our two sons wrote to Santa asking for kittens – one for each of them – and Santa delivered.  Sparky and Puffball McFluffyson entered our lives on Christmas Eve, much to the delight of their new “boys”.  This has been one of the best decisions our family has even made.  Despite the extra hair and dust around the house, “Sparks” and “Puff” have become the catalyst for a study in caregiving.  Almost six full months later, our boys have not shirked their duties to feed, snuggle, and worry about their new charges.

One of the biggest hurdles the Hastriter Boys have jumped this spring as the warmer weather has arrived, is to trust the kitties to enjoy the outdoors but come back to the love and warmth (and food!) at home.  Oh, the worry!  The tears!  The struggles of parenthood!  Each time S & P return safely to the back patio door is cause for celebration – for now.  We know the anxiety (and therefore celebration) will wear off, and happy, well-adjusted indoor-outdoor cats will become commonplace at our home.

We also know that our sons are caregivers at heart – fueled by the examples set by their grandparents and parents.  For that we are quite proud.

- Carrie & Dean Hastriter, Founders