Lauren Maners has fostered many animals over the years and it has been one of her greatest joys. But recently, as she prepared for the birth of her daughter, Lauren decided it was time to take a little break from raising children.
“I had a long history of fostering and rehabilitating animals, but as I neared the end of my pregnancy, I decided it was time to take a break from it all as the animals I typically fostered/rehabilitated were usually sickly and in need of help. a lot of worries that I won’t have time for once the baby is born,” Lauren said. She was sure that this was what she wanted until Dove showed up.
On the same morning that Lauren decided to take a break from parenting, she and her husband noticed an injured cat on the side of the road. Naturally, the couple stopped to check on the cat, and that’s when Lauren realized that not only was the cat injured, but she was also pregnant!
“I knew that she was in bad shape and also felt a sort of connection to her due to us both being very pregnant,” Lauren said.
“I managed to catch her by luring her up to me with our leftover food and wrapping her in my jacket, and we brought her to the vet.”
After taking the cat, who they later named Dove, to the vet for treatment, the couple took her home for some much-needed rest. They asked local residents if anyone was looking for the cat, but were sad to discover that she had been a stray for most of her life.
Lauren couldn’t help herself – she had to break her own rule and take Dove in.
The two pregnant mamas bonded and spent most of the final weeks of their pregnancies hanging out together.
“She followed me everywhere I went and loved to sit with me in the mornings in our fenced-in area and let me rub her belly while we ate breakfast together,” Lauren said. Soon it was time for the birth of Lauren’s daughter, Kylie.
Incredibly, while Lauren gave birth to Kylie in the hospital, Dove gave birth at home herself. “It’s entirely possible they were born at the same time,” Lauren said.
Dove gave birth to six beautiful kittens!
And, as the kittens grew and thrived, so did Lauren’s daughter, Kylie.
“When my daughter was 5 weeks old, she started noticing the kittens when I carried her around them to help me feed them and give them some attention,” Lauren said. “The kittens were also very interested in learning about my daughter.”
Dove lived with Lauren and her family for several months before Lauren found the best forever home for her and her kittens. Luckily, all seven are close to Lauren, so she and Kylie can keep in touch with them.
“Luckily, the cat’s mom went to live with my friend, so I can still hear about her. And several of the cubs also went to people I know, so I was even able to visit them,” Lauren said.
Lauren says she wouldn’t change sharing the final weeks of her pregnancy with Dove for the world!
H/T:dailysquared
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