This an amazing adoption story that touched my heart. I took on Lenny and Liam when I was full with other fosters. I didn't really have the room but I figured what are two more? Well, it turned out to be a lot because the boys came to me practically hairless. We wont ever know whether the majority of their hair loss was caused by their skin issues or caused by suspected chemical burns of what the vets assumed could only be the previous owners trying to "cure" the boys of their issues. At this point I had interest in the boys almost immediately after I posted them online. I didn't get my hopes up as the profile specifically stated the boys would not be ready until mid-August. The potential adopter emailed me asking exactly what was going on with the boys, after explaining it to her; I figured it would be too much to deal with. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I received a sympathetic email back stating that she couldn't believe how much the boys had been through. She told me all about her current rescue boy and her female kitty that passed not long ago. She gave me a long list of the many special needs they both had. Then at the end of the email she told me she wanted to adopt them when they were ready, however long that took. Once again, I was so happy to hear this, but as adopters back out quite often (and honestly, sometimes you can't blame them), I didn't get overly excited because I knew it would still be a little over a months wait at that point.

Lenny in his new home ♥

But that's not all. There was something different with Lenny. His chest was completely flat. Three vets suspected it was Flat Chested Kitten Syndrome, which he could eventually grow out of by the age of 6 months. This is what I initially told the potential adopter, as I didn't know any better. However, when I went to a cat specialist vet we soon discovered it was Pectus Excavatum, which is slightly more serious as it is not a condition that ever improves. Lenny's sternum is pressed up in to his chest cavity, shoving his heart over to the left side and taking away room for some other organs. Eventually Lenny could have some issues if his lungs ever run out of space because of the deformity of his chest. This isn't suspected to happen, but it was still a possibility that had to be noted. I got home and wrote the potential adopter updating her on what news I had received from the vet.

Liam in his new home ♥

While I already knew at this point that the adopter was amazing, I would have understood if she backed out because of costs, concerns of potentially losing the kitten she would grow to love. I guess I shouldn't have been too shocked when I once again received an email stating that she wanted the boys even MORE than she had before.She told me she didn't want them going to anyone else because she would hate for Lenny to have issues in the future and an adopter dump him. At this point I could have cried happy tears, but the wait wasn't over. Mid-August had come and gone, their skin issues hadn't cleared. There were so many set backs, so many tears of frustration, a few nights with no sleep as I couldn't close my eyes without wondering what I was doing wrong, I almost wanted to give up! But the adopter pushed me on, reminding me again and again, she would wait however long she had to pick up "her boys".

Well it is almost mid-September and the boys are finally going home. She prepared a kitten nursery for them and has promised me many updates, already I have been promised annual Christmas cards. She promises updates not because I asked for them, but because she put herself in my shoes, knowing I would want to see them continue to grow. After fostering over 100 cats and kittens, this has to be one of my favorite adoption stories. Lenny and Liam came and went to their new home with a number of issues. Lenny would be classified as a special needs kitten and despite being a beautiful boy, he could have been very hard to place. This story just demonstrates that there is a home out there for every single animal. We may have to wait a little while, maybe even years, but there is an amazing home just waiting to find your foster animals. I want to thank adopters like Denise and Shawn, without people like both of you, we could not save the animals that we rescue. She was so impressed with what LDDR does for all the animals in their care and the way they ensure their animals get all the care they need prior to going to their new homes. She has decided that LDDR will be the recipient of her annual donations. Anyone who adopts a rescue animal is amazing in my mind, but it takes an extra special soul to adopt an animal with special needs.

THANK YOU Denise & Shawn for giving Lenny & Liam a chance at a loving home of their own!

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