Joy

I never seem to have enough of it.

This week has been extremely difficult and slow.  It has been really hard to stay positive and strong.  My joy is limited.. very limited.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."
- Nehemiah 8:10

God's is abundant and overflowing.
I don't even know why I bother trying to do things on my own... I never seem to learn.

KITTEHS!

Today, I spent about 5 hours total (possibly more) looking online at different volunteering websites for animal shelters. I had recently applied to the California Wildlife Center in case I want to become a Zoo Veterinarian versus just a domestic one. After waiting several days, I got an email saying that I was a good candidate! Butttt I lived too far (six months/once a week commitment). Little did I know, the center is in Malibu (I'm still not even sure if that's where it's located.....), and I thought it was in Santa Monica (which is still pretty far, but I figured it would be worth it). Seriously though, animal shelter sites need to work on making sure they have a CLEARLY STATED address and office hours.. just sayin'... :P Anyway, I surprisingly wasn't too disappointed in being rejected! I think that was because I had spent an hour prior to receiving the rejection email online looking at domestic animal shelters, specifically kitten shelters. I'm so excited! Hehehe. I think my main love is for the feline family.. Kitties and lions please :)<3 (Don't get me wrong, dogs come in as a close second!) Well, I've sent emails to four shelters, two of which have already responded (most volunteer programs like these accept most "applicants"). But I was actually more interested in the other two, so I'm just waiting for a response..

After I was done browsing volunteer opportunities and reviews on the shelters, I somehow wandered into the adoption galleries =X  At first I was just looking at pictures of the adorable kittens and I stumbled on the "Special Needs" section. Oh. my. The freaking CUTEST kitties ever with the most heart-tugging stories.  Some are missing an eye or both, blind, legs paralyzed, FIV (feline AIDS), FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), abused, heart failure, Megacolon, three-legged.. you name it!  Not surprisingly, I shed some tears during the process... To keep from making this any more depressing.. I read about the success stories, and those made me cry happy tears!  One kitten that I read about was hit by a car and her front two legs were paralyzed, but after tons of TLC, she can walk!  Mind you, with a limp, but what a beautiful imperfection!  Another went into heart failure but completely miraculously (hehe thanks God) healed after three months! aeofijaoeiwfaewf I was dying (of goodness) from all these stories of struggle, hope, and endurance.  And that.. that is why I want to become a Veterinarian.

So that is my little spiel for that... and now, I want you to meet...

 Thumper

Thumper has a curvature and gap in her spinal cord.  She has spina bifida and her back legs are permanently paralyzed.  She is also completely incontinent.  She had a urinary tract infection, but that was easily healed.  Here she is :)

Because she's incontinent, she has to wear little kitty diapers!!

I think the word "needs" should be taken out.  SPECIAL kitten. :)

Full story is here. <3

Just wanted to share some furry goodness! : )