A woman and her child try to feed the zebras at the Chisinau Zoo Sunday. While the animals don't normally bite visitors, they typically reach far out of their enclosures to get whatever food they are being given. (AP Photo/John McConnico)

A Don Sphynx cat is presented by it's owner at an international feline beauty contest in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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I used to have a pug and when people told me me that she was ugly, I was offended.   I would get defensive and argue that she was the cutest thing I ever saw and just down right adorable!  I was her mom after all.

So to all the pet owners who have heard this from unthoughtful people,  "If they're gorgeous to you, then that's all that matters."

Please don't call any animal ugly! They're cute to someone.

In honor of  this upcoming Mother's Day, I found this photo of a very unlikely mom, a stray, who's taking care of these orphans until they can get by on their own.  Thank goodness for mothers, even the unlikely ones, who nurture the young and needy,  and make them feel safe and protected. 

Three bobcat kittens orphaned in Alabama have been adopted by a female stray cat, Bobbi, at Tampa's Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Fla. Wednesday. A hunter reportedly found the small cats alone in the woods and took them to a veterinarian. When staff members introduced Bobbi to the three bobcats, she almost immediately began to nurse them. Big Cat Rescue plans to release the bobcats into the wild after 18 months, when they'll be old enough to hunt. (AP Photo, Kate Caldwell/WFLA-TV)

Princess is in foster care while her mom recuperates in a nursing facility. (Photo by S. Argus)

When owners fall ill, pets are often left behind.

Marlene Montiho lives in Chinatown and her dog Princess  is her constant companion.

Last month, Montiho became seriously ill with an infection.  "I didn't feel well. Then, I started getting chest pains. I took my dog with me to the hospital, since she always goes with me," said Montiho.

"I was admitted to Straub Hospital and my dog didn’t have anywhere to go, so she spent the night with me," Montiho added.  

Montiho said if no one could take care of Princess, her Pomeranian, she would have left the hospital, despite warnings from the medical staff that she needed immediate surgery. 

“God bless that hospital.  Everyone was looking to help me. They were looking for any empty room to accommodate us. They went out of their way to help,” Montiho said.

Adding to the stressful situation, Princess didn't like the hospital environment and started to growl and snap at whoever came into Montiho's  room. 

 "I asked everyone I knew if they could take Princess, but they all have animals too,"  said Montiho.  "Angela (Keen) is an angel from heaven. She took Princess and told me not to worry."

Angela Keen is the manager of physician services at Straub Clinic and Hospital.  Keen called the Oahu SPCA looking for a foster home for Princess while Montiho got the care she needed.

“As a dog owner, I understand how difficult it would be if I were hospitalized and had no one to care for my dog," Keen said. "For many people, their dog is their child, for some it is the only family they have. I am so glad we were able to assist the patient. The Oahu SPCA answered my call and sprung into action immediately, no questions asked."

Princess is now in a foster home while Montiho recuperates at a nursing rehabilitation facility.

Montiho's predicament isn't new. This is a common situation when people don' t have someone to watch their pets while they are incapacitated.

"We had several incidents in the past few months of seniors going into the hospital (including homeless seniors) or are suddenly too sick to care for their animals," says Oahu SPCA co-founder Stephanie Ryan.

Inspired by Montiho's story, Oahu SPCA recently introduced a new program called Pet Assurance. This plan helps owners when they fall ill or are unable to care for their pets.  

"We will be providing an insurance policy for the public called 'Pet Assurance.'  The Oahu SPCA will guarantee care of the pet for the rest of the pet's life in one of our most experienced foster homes," Ryan said.  "Many people don't have a trusted friend or relative to be appointed as guardian for their pet. Pet assurance provides peace of mind regarding the care of your loved one."

"How wonderful it is to know that this (situation) inspired a new foster care program at Oahu SPCA for those who need help caring for their pets when they are hospitalized or sick," says Keen.

Ryan says the Oahu SPCA will also be responsible for the pet, in case the owner passes away. The shelter asks that to be named as a beneficiary in the estate planning process.

For more details about Pet Assurance, please call Rachel Huff-Wagenborg at 754-1519.

The Oahu SPCA is in desperate need of donations: monetary, pet food, pet supplies, Simple Green and kitty litter.  For more information, please visit their website at: http://oahuspca.org/

At this year's Pet Expo on May 8-9 at the Blaisdell , this little guy is in need of a good home. Although not the usual adoptable, but he's just as cute and he represents how much pet shelters need our help.

Ahi, the 8-inch blue surfing dog,  is handsewn by loving hands and is making the "shaka" sign.

"The wonderfully talented lady who makes these adorable creations (by hand) donates a part of the proceeds she makes to animal shelters in her state as well," says Icy Poochy Pops founder Darlene Tokunaga.  

Tokunaga says Ahi is "very quiet and just likes to hang loose."

Bidding starts at $25 and will be accepted at the Pet Expo and online at: dart@icypoochpops.com. The highest bidder will get to select which no-kill animal shelter the money goes to.