In Memory of Athena 7/24/2022 – 11/30/2023
Our beautiful girl, Athena.
Sometimes life can be cruel and animals suffer. Athena was found in Austin with a rubber band tight around her neck. She was taken to Austin Animal Center where the rubber band was surgically removed. During all this, another twist, she tested positive for FeLV. She came to Shadow Cats to recover and be loved. This was a year ago.
Athena was a little bitty thing. She had experienced cruelty and pain but all she wanted was love from us and to give love in return. She trusted us completely, which was a miracle after all she had been through. To say that she was all over you when you walked into the room was an understatement; she was in your face immediately with loud purrs, kisses, head bumps, and snuggles. She wanted as much love as she could get and we were so happy to oblige.
With lots of care from our amazing staff, Athena recovered so well from the injury that we hoped not to see any long-term effects of the rubber band as she got older, and we hoped all the bad things that happened to her were erased from her memory.
Athena was a delight! She lived life to the fullest; she had so much energy, she could be a blur in Cookie’s running from room to room, full of energy, sliding through the cat doors out onto the catios, jumping on the highest shelves, always looking to play and enjoy every moment. She was the same way with all the other cats, in your face, as she was with us. She just wanted to soak up every moment of the day being busy and doing as much as she could. She would then flop into a cuddle puddle with the other kitties and sleep soundly. For a girl who knew such cruelty, she was amazing! She was happy and content. She made us feel happy and content seeing her enjoying her life.
Some of our kitties bond with some of our staff, and Athena chose Lauren, one of our assistants. This was a sight to behold – Athena would run to her, it was incredible! She just loved to be perched on Lauren’s shoulder, and the bond was deep. Lauren was her person and she made Athena feel like a princess every day. After recovering from her injuries, our precious Athena battled with FIP and successfully completed her treatment. We had a celebration party for her a few weeks ago. A few days ago she relapsed, undergoing treatment again.
Leukemia has also raised its ugly head over the past few days. Athena has become too weak to fight any longer; FeLV does not play fair. Our final gift to precious Athena, a gentle passing surrounded by all those who loved and cared for her. Many tears have fallen, but we celebrate the year she has been with us. She has been a joy. It has been a year filled with lots of smiles and laughter watching our sweet girl beat the odds if only for a short while.
Her year was full of love and hope, playing with lots of kitty friends, filled with love from all of us humans,, and daily shoulder rides from her special person Lauren. She truly lived her best life in her time with us and we are comforted by that. She had a hard start in life and struggled with health issues but being with us at Shadow Cats she knew every single day how special she was and was showered with love by so many.
Beautiful Athena, you will be missed terribly. It will be impossible for us to ever forget the wonderful memories you gave to us. You will be in our hearts forever, sweetheart. We know you are across the Rainbow Bridge running and playing, free of all suffering. Say hello to all the gang that have gone before.
Thanks to our compassionate staff who looked after Athena every day. Thanks to Lauren who was her person. Thanks for the veterinary care she received. Thanks for the love she received from volunteers and her sponsors, Amy and Erin.
Athena had 2 Sponsors
Erin Johnston
Amy Juried