Q: Thinking about your words allows you to organize your thoughts and prepare to say something meaningful. Especially if you're about to have an important conversation, make sure your words are organized so that you can say what you mean. Remember that your attitude and tone can communicate quite a lot. Keep your focus narrow and try not to get off topic. If you have trouble saying what you want to say, write down some bullet points to make sure you cover all you want to say. Take an intentional pause before speaking. Very often the instinct is to hurl headlong into a discussion. But purposefully putting in pauses and taking a moment to compose your thoughts before speaking will make it more likely your communication is clear, and your audience ready to listen. Having a person's attention means making sure they are listening and understanding the words you say. Make eye contact and check in to make sure they are listening. If the other person is distracted or in the middle of doing something else, either get their attention or try another time. If they seem distracted by other things, ask for their attention by saying, "I need to make sure you understand this" or, "I'd appreciate your full attention." If the person seems distracted, say that you'll talk later when they are more available. For example, if you need to talk to someone yet they're in the middle of something, let them know that you need to talk and want their attention. Avoid calling out or yelling at people to get attention--go up to them and speak face to face whenever possible. You might assume that people understand what you're saying or asking them to do. However, clarify anything that the person might be unsure about. For example, if you're giving directions, clarify anything the person might need to do as prep-work. You may over- or under-estimate the amount of knowledge or ability someone has, so it's best to ask. This is especially true if you're talking to someone from a different culture than yourself. You might assume they understand slang or other speech, but it doesn't hurt to ask. If someone looks confused, try explaining it better. Being courteous in your communication means being open, honest, and kind. You don't say anything that might be passive-aggressive, sarcastic, or jabbing toward or about the person you're talking to. Focus on being friendly and saying what you mean in a way that's easily understood. If you're interrupting other people, being rude, and disrespectful, you will not communicate effectively. Sarcasm can be easily misunderstood. While it may be meant to be humorous, saying the opposite of what you really mean can lead to misunderstandings. People may be confused to what you actually mean. Sarcasm can also inadvertently become mean. Check in with the person to make sure they have understood you. This can be as simple as saying, "Does that make sense?" or, "Do you have any questions?" This gives them the opportunity to voice any concerns or problems they have. This can help people feel comfortable to ask questions or seek clarification. If you're giving directions, ask them to be repeated back to you to ensure understanding. In some circumstances, it is appropriate to give a quick summary. For example: "So I just want to be clear: We're going to address the Garcia account first, then we will do a quick meeting on how to problem solve the communication issues. Got it?" Follow-up with the person you're communicating with to make sure you communicated clearly. For example, if you sent an email, send another asking, "How is everything going? Do you have any questions?" if you spoke to someone, ask them a day or two later, "Just checking in. Everything okay?" If you think you may have miscommunicated, use this time to communicate clearly and clear anything that may be confusing.
A: Think before you speak. Get their attention. Check your assumptions. Be courteous. Check for understanding. Follow up.

Q: ere is no mother cat. Kittens cannot regulate their own temperature well. Usually the mother cat will keep them warm and clean, but if there is no mother, it will be your job to make sure that the kittens are clean, dry, and warm. Make sure that there is no food or feces stuck to the kitten's fur. You can put a heating pad specifically made for pets to provide a warm spot in their nest. Only warm half of the nest, and put the heating pad under the blankets. This will let the kitten go to the cooler corner if they get too warm. Do not use a heating pad made for humans. To do this, after every feeding (nursing, bottle feeding, eating solid food etc.), place the kitten in the litter box. It should then do its business. If a kitten has an accident, quickly pick it up as soon as possible and place the kitten in the litter box. With persistence, the kitten should learn how to use it. Kittens will usually learn how to use the litter box on their own or from their mother. Just make sure that the litter box is far from their food and kept clean. You can reinforce litter box use by praising the kitten after it uses the box. The litter box will need to be scooped at least three times a day, and the litter changed at least twice a week. Use clay litter instead of other types of litter, as clay litter can't be ingested as easily. Make sure you hold the kittens frequently, petting them and picking them up. Play with the kittens a lot. The more time you spend with them, the better socialized they will be to people throughout their lives. Spending time with the kittens is the best part of fostering, so enjoy it. Touch their paws a lot, as they will need to be comfortable with it in the future to have their nails clipped. In order to protect the kittens, you, and any other pets you have from disease, you should wash your hands before and after handling the kittens. A kitten's immune system is still developing, so you need to protect it from everything you can. You also want to keep any illnesses that the kittens might have brought with them away from your existing pets. Most kittens that are fostered will appear healthy when they are placed in your care but it is always possible for illnesses to develop. Look for lethargy, fur loss, breathing problems, diarrhea, scratching, vomiting, discharge, or lack of appetite in the kittens. If the symptoms persist, call the vet. If the kittens have goop coming from their eyes or nose, call the vet or go to the animal shelter to have the kitten looked at. In most cases, you will then be asked to give the kitten medication until the goop is gone. When you sign on to foster kittens, you will need to agree to take them in for a variety of veterinary appointments. This typically includes signing them up for spaying or neutering and taking them in to have it done. There may be other veterinary appointments for the kittens, depending on their health and what veterinary procedures have been done on them before you took them in. In many cases you will need to get them a variety of vaccinations and have their general health assessed by a veterinarian. If you want to, start to let the kittens leave the room for short periods of time once they are seven or eight weeks old and have been at your house for at least a few weeks. However, they should always be accompanied by you and never allowed to run around loose, especially if you have other animals. Don't force the kittens to interact with other cats or dogs as this can result in injury and fear. Always supervise the kittens carefully, and keep all doors closed. Your shelter will appreciate cute photos and videos being supplied when the kittens are up for adoption. They can post them online, on their website or on a pet finding websites. Typically, you can email the foster coordinator the pictures. If you can, also include a small bio of each kitten. Include a general summary of their personality, which will be helpful for adoptive families considering the kitten. This is the hardest part of fostering, as you have likely grown close to the kittens you are fostering. Remember that you have greatly helped this animal and it will have a great new home and wonderful life thanks to your efforts. If you want to, you can ask your shelter if they would let you know when the kittens are adopted and, if possible, the email of their adopters if you would like to keep in contact.
A:
and clean if there is no mother cat. Litter-train the kittens. Spend time with the kittens every day. Always wash your hands. Watch for any signs of illness in the kittens. Take the kittens to veterinary appointments. Allow the kittens to leave their room for periods of time. Take photos and videos of the kittens, if possible. Take the kittens back to the shelter, when the time comes.