Kida.
Oh gosh, it’s been a while. It’s hard to believe that I’m now in my fourth year of medical school and have just submitted my residency applications! However, even in the midst of step 2CK studying, some AMA shenanigans, and ERAS preparation, I think the highlight of the past month has been Kida, my kitten foster!
Kida came to me when she was only four and a half weeks old, when her former owner could not afford to raise a kitten. While I had submitted an application to foster a few months prior–mostly because I knew I would have time during fourth year–getting Kida was actually random chance. I was in the middle of studying for Step 2CK at the time and did not intend to pick up a foster until after I had taken my exam. Moreover, Kida had been assigned to another foster parent. I don’t know what changed, but my friend did the best thing and convinced me to pick up an animal anyway–and so I took Kida home!
I gave her the nickname Kida after the warrior-princess in Atlantis, the Lost Empire due to her fearless thirst for adventure and sightseeing. Over the past 5 weeks, Kida has proven herself to be the sweetest, most rambunctious agent of chaos: she zooms several times a day in between hour-long naps; she absolutely loves cuddling on shoulders (where she can see!); and she loves finding new places to explore.
Letting go of Kida was really difficult, especially since we bonded over the 5-week span. I thought several times about adopting her outright, but ultimately decided that I would not be the best forever home for her given the unpredictability of residency. I wish her and her new home the absolute best, and will miss her so much!
