My house is finally a home again 🦊🏠

I promised you good news, and here it is – not about my health, but about something I've been quietly pouring my heart into between the migraines and brain fog.

I became a foster parent. For animals, of course! ☕🐱

For the longest time, this house felt wrong. Too empty. I've never gone this long without a furry freeloader under my roof, and every quiet corner felt like it was waiting for someone small to fill it. So despite the fatigue, despite the bad days, I decided I couldn't keep waiting for my health to perfect itself before making this dream real.

I found a shelter I loved, sent my application, and held my breath. One day later – acceptance. Then came the coursework, which took longer but taught me so much. Turns out I know more about cats than I thought! Dogs were full of surprises too. I even took their extra social media course because if there's one thing Scarlett knows, it's how to work a camera and help little faces get noticed 😘📸

Another wait. Another yes. Official foster carer, baby!

For two weeks I refreshed my email every morning, watching kittens and puppies and big energetic dogs needing experienced handlers. Then I saw them. Two tired little gerbil faces. Timon and Pumbaa. Perfect for beginners, they said. I screenshot those faces, sent them to Mr. F. "Let's go." Simple and elegant. We were off.

These poor guys were rescued from an awful situation on Facebook Marketplace, surrendered by their hero, and two days later they were mine. So shy. Didn't know how to use a wheel. Just wanted to hide. So we spoiled them, obviously. The shelter covers the basics, but we went full research mode – treats, toys, the works.

Ten things I learned about gerbils real quick:

• Don't get them wet (gremlins rules apply, apparently 🎃)

• Sprinkle food for foraging fun

• Pumice stones are a hit

• Toilet roll tubes are premium entertainment

• Jam jars make surprisingly civilized bathrooms

• Belly scent glands are a thing

• Keep them away from TVs

• Sand baths are self-care goals

• Deep cleans only monthly (my kind of pet!)

• They are SO soft

Timon found his brave first. Pumbaa took his time but learned my voice, learned my hand meant treats. Progress, not perfection.

We had them for nine days. Nine days of watching them learn to trust, learn to play, learn that this strange red-haired giant was safe. Then the call came – "They've been adopted!"

I thought I'd feel shattered. But I was genuinely thrilled telling Mr. F they had their forever home waiting. That last night, we treated them to fresh strawberry we'd picked at a local farm that day. Both gave it a solid 10/10.

I even have a tiny piece of kitchen roll with a little red paw print, which sounds adorable until I confess I completely panicked seeing red bits in their bedding later and thought it was blood 😅🤭 Turns out strawberry stains, who knew?

I filled out their new family's guide – their habits, their quirks, how Timon was the brave one and Pumbaa the cautious sweetheart. Then we dropped them off. Only when I was back home, seeing that empty kitchen space where their cage lived, did the sadness finally hit me.

But foster life waits for no one. A few days later, an urgent call – a kitten needing transfer to a specialist hospital for surgery. We answered. But I'll save that story for next time!

It really is such a joy having animals in this house again. Waking up to little sounds, little movements, little lives depending on you. I'm already watching my email for whoever needs us next. Whoever it is, I'm ready 🥰🦊

What's a small dream you're waiting on? Tell me below – maybe this is your sign to start it anyway 👀

Love,

Scarlett