Kathryn’s days revolve around two babies—her infant daughter and a tiny foster puppy named Philip. Surprisingly, the puppy is the more high-maintenance of the two.
Two Babies Under One Roof
For most mothers in Texas, caring for a 5-month-old infant is a full-time job that requires endless energy and patience.
But Kathryn’s days revolve around not just one baby, but two.
Alongside her young daughter, she is also fostering a tiny, fragile puppy named Philip.
And surprisingly, between the human baby and the furry one, Philip is actually the more high-maintenance of the two.
The Demands Of A Neonate
As a licensed veterinary technician, Kathryn is no stranger to the intense needs of young animals.
Philip is a neonate, meaning he is in the most vulnerable stage of a puppy’s life.
Because he is so young, he has to eat every two hours without fail.
He also needs to stay warm around the clock, meaning he basically dictates the rhythm of the entire household’s day.
Reading The Tiny Signs
Even though he is just a neonate, Philip always finds a way to communicate exactly what he needs.
Kathryn has learned to read his subtle cues with practiced ease.
When he wakes up and starts rooting around in his bed, she knows exactly what it means.
That little movement is her cue that she had better start warming up some milk immediately.
Catching Up On Rest
Caring for a newborn puppy is a relentless cycle of feeding, cleaning, and monitoring.
When Philip finally settles down for a nap, the real work around the house begins.
That brief window of quiet is when Kathryn scrambles to clean up and hopefully get a little rest herself.
On paper, the goal sounds simple—just keep the puppy growing—but in reality, it is a demanding, full-time job.
The 2 A.M. Night Shift
The hardest part of the routine often comes in the middle of the night.
At 2:00 in the morning, the house is completely quiet, and Kathryn’s human baby is sound asleep.
This is the perfect window to get Philip’s middle-of-the-night feeding done before her daughter wakes up.
It requires a quiet, careful balance to ensure both babies stay happy and rested.
A Very Familiar Rhythm
Luckily for Philip, this intense schedule is one Kathryn knows way too well.
She has spent years caring for neonates just like him, handling late-night feeds and emergency intakes.
So many fragile lives have depended on her expertise over the years.
When she finally had her own daughter, the exhausting rhythm of newborn care felt incredibly familiar.
Saying Yes To Philip
When Kathryn first became a mother, she took a short break from taking in rescue animals.
She needed time to figure out how to be a parent to a human baby first.
But once they found their footing, the family decided to open their home again, and they said yes to Philip.
Looking back, Kathryn says bringing the tiny puppy into their lives was the best decision ever.
Growing Up Together
Fostering looks a little different for Kathryn now, but it has become extra special.
She loves that her daughter gets to be right beside her while she cares for Philip.
Even though she is so young, her daughter gets excited to be a part of the rescue process.
For Kathryn, there is something truly magical about saving these puppies’ lives and getting to share that lifelong passion with her child.