Sandy with 3 of the 7 new kittens.
January 13, 2003

Our three bears leave here today. It is time for our three bears to go. What miracles they are since the day they came. First there was Rolly, then Little Bear, too. And don't forget Tiny - just a handful for you.

We were told their mama died. How sad it was to all, but God was watching over them and saw what needed to be done: "Don't worry," God said to the mama, "don't worry about my three bears. I will help you find another mama to feed your babies, to love them so divine. See, I have a dog named Annie, who will love them all the same. She is my angel in dog clothes. For she will hold them and love them like her own, and with the help of her family, she will raise this kitten family, so mama cat, rest in my arms. Don't worry or fret over your babies. It is all taken care of. Your babies are safe. They are in my arms."

And so now we have them, these precious babies so dear to God above. We watched them through all the pain. We saw them go down to death's door, so frail they were. We prayed for each one, so faithfully, "God guide us through this night, and if it be your will, let these little ones make it one more night in your care.

Yes there were a lot of sleepless nights-oh, I cannot count them-but we knew God was up, his eyes never closed. Rolly, Little Bear, Tiny-so precious to him and to me. Each wanted so bad to give in to death, but we took care of them faithfully. God said, "no,you must live to testify for me that God is there, and you must live. Your mama and me, we are watching you so faithfully. You won't die today. You will live for one more day." We prayed, oh, so hard for these, God's little critters. So tiny, so frail, and now God will be praised.

We watched as you fought to breathe, to hold your head up high. The struggle was so great but God was standing by. "See mama cat, I am in control. I am watching over your babies three. I will work through this dog named Annie and her family-. Just watch them now: oh, so very big and strong. My blessings are being poured out for them and you mama. Just watch, see this family is blessed as each new step is taken. See them praying and caring for them. Ohl, look at them today (as Annie produced milk and fed them), look at the strength come back. Look how my plan is coming together. Look how they are growing. Soon, mama, very soon they will be back with the people who relieved you of your suffering and pain. Oh, look, mama-see them grow!"

Now it is time for our three bears to leave, and I say thank you for your unselfish act of allowing us to raise them, and now, as your life begins with these kittens, take this little stuffed bear. Keep it up high as a reminder that God loves even his animals, and miracles still happen even today. You have three in front of you, and now as Annie raises 7 more to love just the same, see all is in God's plan. Annie, her gift of mothering kittens, and her new family.

If you ever feel down... When you do, look at the stuffed bear I am giving you. It is a reminder of God's precious miracles that he performs every day. We have a testimony of that in the three bears that we got that day.

I am sorry for your loss of the mama. Perhaps the kittens can somehow make it better. We worked so hard on them, but I give God all the credit. God's eyes really are on the sparrow or kittens. To think, just when my hope and faith were dim, God had Annie produce the milk needed to make them well. I was asked by someone, "well what happens if they die after you pray for them?" I told them, "God is still in control. He will give us the grace and strength to deal with that, too. I am sorry you have missed the little things about them, but I thank you for the blessing we got from going through the pain as they did. I remember sitting on the floor and saying, 'Ok God, I don't know what else to do. Please watch over them and guide us all. Your will be done.' I think that is when Annie started to produce milk. Wow, God answers prayers in the strangest of ways. They went from IV's and meds to being well enough to eat. To see them now, I cannot help but know God is real.

I remember Rolly Polly. He was soo weak and glassy-eyed. Amanda said, 'I told you, you are not going to die.' She really worked with them as much as I did. Yes, I had a lot of sleepless nights, but I would do it again-and I am now with the new kittens. See, my kids and me have been through so much in our life. We have very little money coming in, but one thing that has always stayed true, God never fails. When we turn it over to him... I always say, 'let go and let God steer, and hold on for the ride, no matter what the outcome.' God is there. He gives some very good bear hugs. Thank you soo much for the blessing of taking care of your kittens. Oh, you can change their names if you want to. It was just names we called them to not call them all kittens. Rolly opened his eyes and saw Amanda. It was love at first sight for them both. He now thinks Amanda is his mom. He runs up to her and sits on her shoulder. He is a handful now. Oh, he likes to get into the toilet if given a chance. Watch it, and climb on everything. Little Bear is the same. Tiny, well she is nothing but sweet, they all are that. They have mighty good motors. And Annie, she loves them all. She has already told them to get a life and is involved with her new litter. As long as she can tell them goodbye, she is okay. She loves to mother, a dog who knows she is a cat, strange but true. God really has a sense of humor, doesn't he, and he used Annie to save kittens everywhere. Who knew? You all take care. Your thoughts are always with us."

Copyright © Carole Rogers
February, 2003

Read Carole's other stories: Annie's Kittens & Annie's New Baby