When I was 18 years old I started working at my local animal shelter as a veterinary technician. I worked primarily in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and it was very dark to say the least. We were not a no kill shelter so many of the animals I fell in love with I ended up having to euthanize because they were very sick and we were running out of space. To prevent the transmission of disease, we would put towels over the front of the cages so the cats would not be sneezing on each other. One day while working I opened up a cage and to my surprise saw only one single fuzzy white kitten.
Not being able to withstand his cuteness, I picked him up and started petting him. He was nervous and fairly sick. That day I asked my manager if I could foster him at home so he would stand a better chance of surviving. Well, as you may guess I never gave him back. I ended up naming him Spunky because eventually he began to warm up to me and became the most playful kitten. His upper respiratory infection took some time, but eventually it cleared and he is now a healthy happy feline.
Spunky has been more than my foster kitten, but turned out to be one of my closest companions. Whenever I am stressed he always seems to know exactly what to do, even if it is just sitting next to me so I don't feel alone. My experience with Spunky is one of the many incidences that has inspired me to become a veterinarian. This dream actually came true as I am attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine this upcoming fall. I hope to become a shelter veterinarian to aid other felines who are in Spunky's position and let people know the value of a feline companion!
Erial, NJ
