Best Friend

                                    "It's okay that you're a panda, maybe we can be friends!"

When a bath is "never" just a bath.

 Who could put these kittens through all that torture!?!?! 

Me sadly. 

Baths are important especially, to kittens that are coming from the outdoors. It allows us to attempt to get rid of any parasites or bacteria that they might have been into. Kittens also are very fragile during this time, which means you should be careful not to have their heads go underwater, there face completely dry. Do not use any medicated products or shampoo on a kitten, instead Dawn dish soap. Parasites hate it, and it leaves your baby easy breezy beautiful..fuzzy cat. 

I don't know who got the better bath, the cats, or myself. Luna was the largest challenge because she already knows what water is and I found out which I already assumed, hates. 

I was completely soaked but the kittens looked very adorable in their bubble baths. 

Elijah

"When your mom tells you to eat your vegetables before dessert face"

Luna and the 7 kittens

So this all started when I walked into the the Taylor Animal Shelter. I actually had a leash in my hand, I was going to the back room to pick a few dogs to walk. Only my way I like to stop and look at the cats, quite often playing with them first. That's when I seen the kittens and the mom get up from laying down soon after.
I felt awful. This is common, it's the sudden grief you feel for the animals you see, before it sets in that most are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. The shelter may seem like a tight space from time to time, but these animals don't have to worry about cars, or other dangers without a proper owner. It's the place to find them their forever homes.

I went to work after I got through playing with the kittens and walking a few dogs. The next day it hit me that I have extra room at home, and, even if it were a short stay this would make a difference in these animals lives. So this is when Luna came to my little home, with her little family, of seven.

Some of the questions I've been asked since I've started my chapter of fostering. 

Is it hard?  Absolutely.  My morning starts like a normal parents morning. 6-7 am. I go into the kitty room and make sure everyone has been fed. Fill the food dish bowls, the water dish bowls. Then I separate Luna from the kittens. (Mom has to eat to you know) After the cats are done, I make sure the litter and "bathroom" breaks are taken care of. Two kittens have already decided to use the litter box. The other five well.. were working on potty training. The kittens have decided they do not like country or hip-hop as of now. They enjoy jazz and alternative. However, I think the mini one enjoys rock and roll (he/she is a bit rowdy). 

When can I adopt a kitten? Adoptions will happen when they are ready. Please don't ask for them early, it's selfish. I wouldn't take away you from your parents, don't ask Luna to do the same with her babies. There will be applications for the mom and kittens around September, there hasn't been a set date. I will update when there is, so will the shelter.

Where did you find them? They were found by people and turned into the Taylor Animal Shelter. None of them are mine, I just happened to stumble upon them, and them upon me.

What made you foster? I couldn't leave them like that, in a cage, alone. I knew I could help so I stepped in an did. I'm busy, I live a serious busy life but I make sure they feel love and affection because they deserve every bit of it.

What are the names? I haven't decided most of them, I will as I go. Names aren't made from cereal boxes, they are by each individuals personality. 

Can I help? Sure! Donations for kittens/cats/dogs at the Taylor Animal Shelter Or get a hold of Pound Pals of the Taylor Animal Shelter to help foster animals such as my own. 

Pound Pals Donate

Pound Pals Facebook

Bistro Team

Join the Chef and Team at the Art Institute Of Michigan's Outdoor grille. The Art Institute also has a restaurant located within the school, "Great Lakes Bistro". Please call ahead for seating and hours.

https://www.artinstitutes.edu/detroit/great-lakes-bistro
(248) 675-3920

GM Car Show

The GM Car Show took place for friends and family of the employees. I got to be apart of it by photographing Wigs4Kids at their event booth, and watched as the two girls, Adna and Mehdina picked prizes for the winners at the raffle! Please follow the link to see my photography as well as how you can help out the organization.

 https://www.wigs4kids.org/gm-car-show-wigs-4-kids/

Taylor Animal Shelter Adoption Event

I started volunteering at the Taylor Animal Shelter May, 2014. During my time helping out at the shelter it's given me confidence in handling animals, and my esteem. The adoption event pulls all the volunteers together to show off the wonderful animals and future best friends for possible adopters.

These are some of the intimate moments captured at the event.