EASTON, Pa.: The sweetest things in life are often found when we least expect them and in unexpected places.
In late March of this year, Jane applied to become a volunteer at The Center for Animal Health & Welfare (CAHW). On her application she wrote, “I am retired and love dogs and want to give back.”After attending volunteer orientation, Jane signed up for dog walking training, eager to make a difference for the dogs at the shelter. Shortly after, Jane met a dog named Nutmeg.
Jane and Nutmeg quickly developed a strong bond and the two could often be found sitting together on a blanket in the grass, enjoying each other’s company. Jane started to consider adopting Nutmeg. Before she could take the next steps, Nutmeg was adopted by another family. Jane was heartbroken.
While Jane primarily volunteered walking dogs and assisting with donation pick-ups, she also got to know some of the cats at the shelter. One of those cats was Sugar.
Sugar, a bit of a sassy cat, didn’t get along with other cats, and was eventually moved into her own kitty condo near the volunteer sign in area. That’s where Jane first met her during orientation.
As Jane walked by the condo on her orientation tour, Sugar looked right at her. It was an instant connection, and each time Jane came in to volunteer she would visit Sugar.
Then one day Sugar was not in the condo. The condo was needed for a litter of kittens and Sugar had been moved to another building at the shelter.
Jane, who’d initially considered fostering a dog, suddenly knew what she needed to do. She needed to foster Sugar. After nearly a year in the shelter, Sugar went home as a foster. Less than a month later, Sugar became a permanent member of the household. There was cake, balloons and a special treat for Sugar to celebrate.
Through time and patience, Jane and Sugar really got to know each other. And in her journey to give back, Jane found joy and sweetness in an unexpected place – a sassy cat named Sugar.