“If you’d like to make a cash donation, please do so through the website. That’s how our accountant tracks everything that comes into our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As far as food, bedding, litter and any other supplies, you can bring those with you anytime you visit.”
“Can we see the kittens again before we go home?” Tae asked.
“Absolutely. Just text me to make sure I’m not out taking care of the feral lot.”
“What would’ve happened if they didn’t nurse?” Tae asked the question I wondered about too.
“It would be round the clock bottle feeding for them. It’s both good and bad we now have enough nursing mothers that it’s rare we have to do that anymore.”
“Good and bad?” Tae was full of questions now.
“Good for times like this one but bad because that means they had to be rescued. I wish people had the forethought to bring their unwanted animals to rescues instead of turning them loose. I also wish every pet was spayed and neutered beforehand to avoid unwanted litters. Some humans don’t deserve a pet’s loyalty and unwavering love,” Judy shook her head. “Ignore me, I’m a grouchy old lady who loves animals unconditionally.”
I had a feeling that Tae and I had just become the same.
“My son and daughter in law help out too. Usually, I’m the one home to take care of feedings and litter boxes. They pick up the food donations and come by for play time, but they have a bit of a zoo themselves at home,” she chuckled. “Animal lovers bring new animal lovers into the world with zero regrets.”
“Can I help out whenever we’re up here?” Tae was so excited, there was no way I’d tell him no.
“I’d love that, as long as it’s okay with your Daddy,” she winked at me. Guess she didn’t miss that.
“Daddy?”
“Of course, my love.”
Can’t think of a single time I’ve ever said no to him.
11
TAE
I was sketching in the tent Daddy set up for me to play in while they worked on our new cabin. It was nice, like the one’s soccer moms used. All four sides were meshed to keep the bugs out and one size zipped up. It was perfect for me to see out of. They had already set up another tent that was split, one side was the toilet room, and the other was for a quick shower, so we didn’t have to go potty in the woods. Thank the tent gods for that one. I’ll take a bucket over a pokey bush any day.
The bottom of the see through tent was crunchy when you walked on it. Daddy bought an outdoor carpet to put over that, which made it much better. Soon Oreo, Twinkle and Simba would all be here with me, and they’d have a safe, escape free play space. I couldn’t wait for my new kitties to come home and travel with us and get to play with them.
I got to spend a couple of hours with them this morning, helping Judy out. I loved playing with all the kitties there and my three were getting so big. I’d never had a pet before so I was reading everything I could about taking care of them and Judy emailed me some important links too.
“Hey little bro,” Oscar stopped by the tent, taking a quick break. “How were the kitties this morning?”
“They’re so cute. Look,” I flipped the sketch pad around. “I’m drawing a picture of them to hang up at home.”
“Wow, that’s very lifelike.”
“I can’t believe you guys have the outside walls up on all three cabins already.” They started right after the first time Daddy brought me up here when we found the kittens. Daddy said they had to get the concrete pads for the other two cabins poured while the weather was good, which set everything in motion.
“It’s going well. We may only have one completed by this winter but that’ll be fine. Water system will be on a well, all toilets will be composted via the central system we installed for each cabin and the used greywater from the sinks and showers will be filtered through a water reclamation system. As soon as the metal roofs are completed, we’ll add the solar panels to them. Our little slice of heaven will be completely off grid.” Daddy and Oscar were so proud of that and planned to promote the cabins as such on our website.
Since Oscar got his general contractors license, business has tripled, and now they’re interviewing for an in-house electrician, plumber, and a couple more general trade workers. Soon they’d have to find office space unless Daddy planned to add a separate office onto our house.
“You guys are incredible.”
“This is definitely the biggest job we’ve ever taken on. Monday we’re hoping to on board a couple of new hires and get them familiarized with the jobs we have in the valley and how Ashwood operates.” Daddy had a strict no BS policy. If thecustomer asked for something extra and it would only take us a few minutes to do, we did it at no extra cost.
“If you guys need my help just let me know. I have Brandon’s playroom coming up but I think that’s it.”
“That’s it, sweetheart,” Daddy said as he walked up to the tent. “I’m not inundating you with jobs because I have a special job for you, if you’re interested.”
“What is it?” Daddy was smiling so it couldn’t be too bad.
