Karme Choling Joins the Foster Family
Karme Choling is the Shambhala Buddhist Center in Barnet, Vermont. Last August, two of their staff decided that they would like to come to the Shelter once a week and help out by doing “tuck in” for the kitties. Both were immediately excellent and attentive to the expectations of care for the cats. Julia Persch and Nick Miller have become the newest KAS volunteers. Over time, we asked Julia if she would consider becoming the Secretary for the Board meetings. She agreed. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail led us to see if she would like to become a Board member. Again she agreed. And she has added a sensitivity, a new way of looking at the cats and their care, that has enhanced what KAS has been able to do for our cats in getting them ready for their forever homes. She has a special intuition about what will bring out the best in them.
Julia is originally from Germany, growing up on the southern border between Germany and France. In the beginning of the millennium, having entered into the practice of Buddhism, she spent about 6 years at a Buddhist center in France, Dechen Choling. And about 12 years ago, she came to Vermont, to Karme Choling, and is, at present, their Retreat Master. She loves it at Karme Choling and loves Vermont, its beautiful landscapes and its approach to life, its sensitivity to basic goodness.
About a month ago, we were in need of more fosters. Julia found two Shambhala couples living in the St. Johnsbury area who were willing to give these new kitties a loving place to be.
And then Julia petitioned the administration at Karme Choling and they agreed to have a special room that used to be a Child Care room, transformed into a temporary fostering room for KAS cats. The staff and volunteers at Karme Choling have been tending lovingly to their two new residents. And one of the kitties, Lilypad, has been approved for adoption and will be going home, making room for more cats in need. Blackberry is there also...and when Lilypad goes home, a new kitty will come.
We are so grateful to the folks at Karme Choling, for offering up a perfect space for some of our new cats. It means that we can continue to take in cats, rather than saying no and leaving them to fend for themselves. And most exciting, Julia gets to know the cats in her care so well that she can give prospective adopters a clear and loving idea of each of her cats.
And then Julia petitioned the administration at Karme Choling and they agreed to have a special room that used to be a Child Care room, transformed into a temporary fostering room for KAS cats. The staff and volunteers at Karme Choling have been tending lovingly to their two new residents. And one of the kitties, Lilypad, has been approved for adoption and will be going home, making room for more cats in need. Blackberry is there also...and when Lilypad goes home, a new kitty will come.
We are so grateful to the folks at Karme Choling, for offering up a perfect space for some of our new cats. It means that we can continue to take in cats, rather than saying no and leaving them to fend for themselves. And most exciting, Julia gets to know the cats in her care so well that she can give prospective adopters a clear and loving idea of each of her cats.