Author: Shadow Cats

In Memory of Gabriel         ?? – 12/28/2020

Gabriel was in critical condition when he was found on the streets just a week ago. We knew that the outcome may not be what we all hoped for. We hoped for a Christmas Miracle. Results of testing showed the oral cancer was extensive, and inoperable, not the news we wanted. The always difficult decision was made to let Gabriel pass, a gentle passing.

Gabriel, we didn’t know you yet, but we already loved you so much. We were so looking forward to being able to welcome you to the sanctuary and be part of the gang and even maybe adopted. We don’t know what life you had to endure on the streets but we do know that in the last few days of your life you experienced love and care, gentle pets, and if you wanted to eat and drink, food and water were there for you. Your life mattered.

So to us, you were our Christmas Miracle. You did not suffer on the streets in your last days. You were found and cared for. Rest easy, sweet Gabriel.

Special thanks to Bridget Clare Flanagan, Dr. Murdock, Dr. Murphy and all the staff at Sam Bass Wellness/CTCH, and to all of you who care about cats deemed “less than”.

In Memory of Daniel         2/4/2006 – 12/23/2020

Daniel crossed the Rainbow Bridge today, gently and very peacefully surrounded by those that love him. During his last day with us, we shared many stories with him as he sat in the lap of one of the kitty nannies and also cuddled with his bestie Jack. We talked to him about his life and the stories he will be able to tell all his buddies that have gone before him when he sees them. His life has been full, and luck has been on his side, Born in New Mexico, he ended up in a rescue shelter where he was very well cared for, but that shelter had to reduce its capacity and find homes for some of its residents. We were contacted by a long-time friend and fellow rescuer and Daniel made the journey to come to the sanctuary and live with us.

A very sweet and handsome boy, when you met Daniel you just fell in love with him, and someone did fall in love with him so he was adopted out from Shadow Cats.

Once a Shadow Cat, always a Shadow Cat, these are words we live by.

Daniel came back to us after a while and we welcomed him. We told him he deserves the best in life and that he would forever be safe back in our arms. Luck had been on his side!  Daniel settled back into life at the sanctuary. He was a little more shy when he returned, so we gave him lots of TLC  and gradually he became one of our best lap kitties. He loved to sit in your lap – whenever you walked in the room, he would appear at your feet just waiting for you to sit down so he could be in your lap, and if you happened to have treats or chicken, you were the best!  Well, actually Daniel just loved to eat. We think he could hear a can of food open from miles away 😊 And that little pink tongue, so many pictures of him with that cute little tongue sticking out, so sweet!

Daniel has struggled with many health issues and through all the treatments and medication he has been a champ. Over the last days, Daniel told us he was tired, his fight had gone and it was soon his time, He had to leave. Among other things, probable lymphoma also taking its toll.

His last days have been spent doing the things he loved – cuddling with his buddies, eating chicken and lots of treats, being outside on the catio in the sun, and sitting in as many of our volunteers’ laps as he could. So if luck was on your side, Daniel, luck was truly on our side because we had the gift of knowing and loving you.

Farewell, our sweet gentle soul, our Danny Boy. You take with you a piece of our hearts. You were so loved by everyone at the sanctuary and beyond. We know you left us knowing just how special you were. We will never forget you. You gave us so many wonderful memories to keep in our hearts.

Rest easy, Daniel. Skip across the bridge, free of all your suffering in this world.

Our thanks to our staff, volunteers, and his sponsors. Also thanks to Dr’s Murphy and Murdock and all at Sam Bass Wellness. Daniel was loved by many near and far. Thank you, friends.

Daniel has 5 Sponsors!

Pat and Wesley Brown

Leslie Leavitt

Sheryl Mackey

Rain Nox

Gary and Yolanda McAninch

In Memory of Skipper         9/4/2006 – 12/17/2020

Skipper has been with us since he was a kitten. He was a tiny little thing, in very poor condition, and had to be syringe fed. It was touch and go whether he would survive. With lots of TLC, veterinary care, and much love Skipper did survive to live a full life here at the sanctuary. Although he missed out on being adopted, Skipper was ‘home’, always a comfy bed, always tons of love and care, plenty of food, and many buddies to play with.

Over the past few months, Skipper has been declining. He has had medical issues and has spent some time at the hospital. Despite all efforts, the time had come to say our farewells to our sweet boy. Skipper crossed the Rainbow Bridge held in the loving arms of his caregivers, our kitty nannies. With gentle whispers in his ears, the soothing sounds of quiet voices telling him how much he was loved and how beautiful he was, he left this world ever so peacefully, ever so gently, surrounded by love and light.

Skipper was such a unique kitty. Being cross-eyed, he was so easy to identify and that just made him all the more handsome. He had such an endearing look, but sort of mischievous as well, always looking like he was smiling, and he had the cutest brown nose! When we called his name he would always come running, especially if our volunteers had boiled chicken, and with treats, he was first in line! Skipper loved to be outside on the catios, he loved laying in sunbeams and at the new sanctuary, loved being on the high up shelves just taking everything in, watching all the happenings with the birds and squirrels. Skipper was a gentle soul, a little goofy at times, and very affectionate. He loved being in a lap and being petted but not too fond of being brushed! He had so many friends! He was a cuddler and could be found in a bed with any one of his buddies in Harmony Room! He has seen so much in his life, all the comings and goings, the changes at the old sanctuary and the move to the new one. One of the first to explore Harmony Room at the new sanctuary, we remember him just looking at us with those crossed eyes and smiling, as if to say “Yep, I love this new place”.

Heartbreaking to say goodbye today to you, Skipper. We know you were tired. There are many tears shed. You were a part of Shadow Cats for over 14 years. Loved more than the words can ever say. We will miss you, Skipper, our sweet gentle cross-eyed boy with the cute brown nose. Your memory will always be a blessing and we hold those memories close in our hearts.

Rest easy, precious Skipper, soar on your angel wings.

Thank you to all who loved Skipper, our staff who cared for him every day, volunteers who showered him with love, and his sponsors near and far. Special thanks to Dr. Murphy and staff at Sam Bass Wellness and Dr. Smith for his devotion to our Shadow Cats.

Skipper had 4 Sponsors

“Skipper is just my kind of boy! A little goofy and maybe the “undercat” but a very sweet boy and has that look of mischief–even in the crossed-eyes!”
-Susan Saint-Lockhart

Julie Frank

“My cats, Morton and Salsa, are FIV+.  I have started a Facebook campaign through Morton to promote awareness about this condition.  You have such an amazing facility that I thought I would sponsor Skipper.  I’d adopt him, but the house is full.”
-Rikki Raflo and Morton

Laurie Heupel

In Memory of Cassie 2         8/10/2004 – 11/18/2020

Even though we knew this day was coming soon, we are never ready, never have enough time. Cassie 2 gained her angel wings today. A gentle passing is the final gift we can give. She was cradled in the loving arms of the kitty nannies surrounded by love and light as she made her way to the rainbow bridge.

Why was she called Cassie 2 when she came to the sanctuary? We already had a Cassie so the 2 was added and it just seemed so natural, from then on she was always Cassie 2.

Cassie 2 was born in 2004. When we found the litter and Mama Cat, we trapped them all. Mama was TNR’d and the babies found homes. It was only months later that we discovered we’d missed one beautiful little calico, but by then she was well on her way to a feral lifestyle.

Cassie 2 lived in a managed colony for 13 years, where she was looked after daily by Shadow Cats colony caretakers. It was only when the Church she lived at sold the property in the summer of 2017 that we had to trap her to bring her to the Sanctuary. She was a poster girl for TNR!

Cassie 2 was a stunning girl. She looked at you with those beautiful eyes and you just knew she had many stories she could tell, she had seen a lot in her lifetime. From being a feral kitty to living the last three years of her life loved and cared for every day, always warm, never hungry, and never scared. She adjusted so well to living at the sanctuary and she made some new friends.

We always hoped that one day Cassie 2 would be a lap cat, she never was. She was still very shy, and very quick to hide, but in the last few months, she had learned that we humans were really ok. She did love to be petted gently, on her terms, always ready to dart away, and we were ok with that. We got to love her. She loved to be on the outside deck catching sunbeams and watching the world go by. Just recently she could be found snuggling with our newbie Hattie and Poptart and even a gang of them in one bed. And she never minded wearing a sweater at Christmas! For a girl that was once feral, this is amazing. She was also a member of the ‘chicken gang’ and although very shy she was nearly always first in line for boiled chicken!

Cassie 2 has had health issues lately, renal disease. She has struggled, and we have done everything we could, but today she told us she could stay with us no longer. We send you on your journey knowing you were loved so much, our stunning calico girl. She was just over 16 years old.

Rest easy, beautiful girl, reunited with your Mama. We are going to miss you Cassie 2.

Cassie 2 had 3 Sponsors

Dawn and Paul Lawson

Alissa Cannon

Gail Bischoff

In Memory of Tiger Lilly   6/20/2018 – 11/8/2020

Tiger Lilly huddled down by the entry gate at Ft. Hood, TX, scared and sick. The gate guards threw her bits of their lunch and gave her a name. As her health continued to worsen, they reached out to friends and soon a local cat advocate became aware of her situation. She immediately intervened to help and was able to bring Tiger Lilly in for veterinary care where she was found to be feline leukemia positive.

As she began to recover, she received full veterinary care and soon was able to be released from the vet clinic. But… there was no place for Tiger Lilly to go! Her caring advocate contacted Shadow Cats and Tiger Lilly joined us. We were so thrilled to welcome this very pretty little girl.

Tiger Lilly was a little shy at first but she soon settled and became one of the Cookies gang! We hoped that her past was forgotten and she would only remember the good times, living a life that was filled with love. Tiger Lilly became a favorite of all the staff and volunteers. She was such a sweet girl, making friends easily with other kitties and humans, too. We think she knew that when a new kitty arrived in Cookies that they needed to be shown the ropes, needed to be told everything was going to be ok and she did that. She could often be seen cuddling with a newbie to calm them. She made great friends with our recent newbie Dapper Dan, often seen snuggling in a bed together!

Our precious Tiger Lilly had been battling many health issues lately. We never know how long we have with our kitties with feline leukemia. She fought so hard and we did everything we could, but today she told us she was tired and could no longer fight. Tiger Lilly crossed the Rainbow Bridge cradled in the arms of the kitty nannies, ever so gently and ever so peacefully, gentle whispers of love in her ears and sweet kisses on her head. Tiger Lilly was just over 2 years old, so young, but those years were filled with love and care. She got to enjoy life as any kitty should – she played, she had buddies, she laid in the sun, she was never hungry, and always had a comfy bed to sleep in. She had a chance at life. We know she knew that. We are so grateful for the time we had with you, precious Tiger Lilly. We will miss you very much, your gentle ways and your sweetness. You were much loved.

Rest easy, baby girl. Fly high on your angel wings.

Our thanks to all that cared for Tiger Lilly every day, to her sponsors, and special thanks to Dr. Murphy and the staff at Sam Bass Veterinary Wellness/Central Texas Cat Hospital for taking such good care of Tiger Lilly

Tiger Lilly had 4 Sponsors

Lena Atkinson

Tara Wein

Anne Llana-Koob and Chris Koob

Cheryl Mitcham

In Memory of Benji   6/9/2009 – 10/1/2020

Benji was so very special… We hope these words convey what he meant to us. This is the end of another era for Shadow Cats.

A little lonely feline leukemia kitten with not much hope of a future. A tiny ball of orange fluff, we welcomed Benji to the sanctuary. Today, just over 11 years later, Benji crossed the Rainbow Bridge from health issues related to leukemia, It was his time. He was held in the loving arms of his caregivers, so much love surrounding him. His passing was so peaceful and ever so gentle. He had feline leukemia as a kitten but he truly did live a wonderful life. Through the profound sadness we feel today we celebrate his life and the many years we were able to spend with him and love him.

Benji was the most precious kitten, and he grew into the most handsome young boy and as he grew older his good looks were even more striking especially with his toothy smile!

As a kitten Benji did everything a kitten should do – he played, he zoomed about, he ran up and down the shelves, he explored, and made friends. He made so many friends. Benji liked his own space sometimes, as we all do, but he was a very social boy and always right there in amongst any antics that were happening, always one of the gang. In his later years Benji loved to be outside, loved to watch the outdoor wildlife and he loved to sun himself, always stretched out, and this was how he spent his last few hours in the place he loved so much, outside and laying in the sun.

Benji was the biggest love bug. He loved to be cuddled and would sit on your shoulder and give the best kisses. One of the most popular kitties at the sanctuary, everyone loved Benji and he loved everyone. He even had international sponsors from England. They visited Benji a couple of times and we know he was glad to see them as he jumped on their shoulders as soon as they walked through the door of Cookies Place, where Benji lived with all his friends.

When we moved to the new sanctuary this year, Benji was the first kitty to enter the doors and the first kitty out of his carrier. We were so thrilled that it was Benji. It just seemed that Benji said this place is ok and gave it his stamp of approval. It was the best moment!

It is hard to put into words how much we will miss you, Benji, and how much we loved you. You have been part of Shadow Cats for a very long time, part of what we do and who we are. Feline leukemia kitties with no hope at the very beginning of their lives can live their best lives and Benji did. Many kitties have come and gone and we feel so very lucky to have had all these years with such a special boy, our Benji Boopalicious.

A gentle soul, the most beautiful boy.

Rest easy, handsome Benji. Fly high, precious one. You will always be in our hearts,. You brought so much joy. We loved you so very much, and all the love we gave you, you gave right back to us. Never ever to be forgotten.

Yes, Benji was so very special…

Benji had 5 Sponsors

Ben and Sharon Mineo

LeAnn Chamberlin

Vickie Langlett

The Sinclair Family

Julie Young

In Memory of Scarlett   3/3/2005 – 9/30/2020

Scarlett and her brother Jack were adopted from Shadow Cats as kittens and lived in a home for the first ten years of their lives. Things changed and Scarlett and Jack were returned to Shadow Cats. We always say ‘Once a Shadow Cat, always a Shadow Cat’. Scarlet and Jack were a bonded brother and sister but they had very different personalities. Jack was more outgoing and adventurous and Scarlett was a little more shy, but they were together and Jack helped his sister gain confidence.

Well, our Scarlett surprised us! She blossomed into a social girl. She would love to be petted and would flop over for belly rubs and yes, Scarlett was quite the talker. She had a very distinctive loud meow, well really more of a screech and loud, very loud. It was so funny – we would mimic the sound back to her. She would greet everyone who came into the room, and you knew Scarlett was saying hello. We had lots of nicknames for Scarlett, Scarlie, Scarlotta. She was a very sweet girl and responded to every nickname we called her with that special meow greeting. Quite the acrobat, too, Scarlett would leap across from the cat tree to the table, a loopy sort of jump that brought laughter every time. We said if there was a cat Olympics, Scarlett would win the gold for her special jump. Her personality was so lovely, so sweet and very gentle. She always looked as though she was smiling

Over the past months Scarlett’s health had been declining. At 15 and a half years old, she has been one of the more senior kitties at the sanctuary and received lots of special attention. She was a favorite of many.

Scarlett spent her last day talking to us, enjoying her food, laying in sunbeams and being loved and cherished. We did not anticipate what was to happen. Very suddenly, Scarlett suffered a stroke. The most difficult of decisions had to be made, and our final gift to this precious girl was a gentle passing. She was surrounded by love and light and cradled in loving arms, the gentle whispers in her ears telling her she was the best kitty. We told her she made us laugh, we will miss her special meow, and she was loved beyond measure and will be missed every day and her memory will be a blessing. Our Harmony room will not quite be the same without you, precious Scarlett.

Rest easy, sweet sweet Scarlie. Fly high on your angel wings. You were loved so very much by so many. We will hug your brother Jack a little closer.

Thanks to all who loved Scarlett, her sponsors, our volunteers and our staff who cared for her every day.

Scarlett had 4 Sponsors

Amy Juried

Amy & Casey Weaver

Linda Crossman

Julie Young

In Memory of Lily   2/19/2019 – 9/17/2020

When new cats come to Shadow Cats, they are always called the ‘newbies’ and we generally have lots of nicknames for them. It’s fun to get to know them. We are always thrilled to have a ‘newbie’ and look forward to meeting them. We never know how long or short a time they will be with us and we accept that, although our hearts sure do get beaten up every single time we say goodbye. But we would not have it any other way. We fall in love instantly with them all!

Lily came to Shadow Cats from an Arlington area rescue where she had been rescued from the streets. She was fostered and lived solo for many months but the time came for her to find a more permanent home and when Shadow Cats had room, September 2020, we accepted this sweet girl into Cookie’s Place.

Lily was a strong willed girl and being almost 13lbs she did tell us when to back off, sometimes with a little nip! She was almost 2 years old and maybe she developed a little bit of a tough girl exterior – who knows what her early life was like?

We do know what her last days of her life were like. They were filled with love and care and constant watchful eyes and playfulness. She had a personality we watched develop every day. She really wasn’t at all a toughie, she was a girl that knew what she wanted and you gotta admire that! Lily loved pets and she loved her chin scratched – her little chin would stretch out so far it was great to see with that little smile. She loved us talking to her and she made the best biscuits and would purr so loud. Oh, and she loved to eat! She still was a little nervous, but we knew that would fade and she would become one of the gang.

Feline Leukemia had other ideas. We did not get the time we wanted with you, our Lily girl. She had breathing difficulties and a large mass was found. We all want the gentlest passing for our kitties and Lily had that. She was held cradled in our arms and her head held lovingly in our hands, her chin being scratched the way she loved. She was smiling as she ever so gently crossed the Rainbow Bridge, surrounded by love and light.

Rest easy, sweet Lily. We loved you very much, never forgotten, always in our hearts.

Thanks to our all our staff who loved and cared for Lily, her fosters and rescuers.

In Memory of Lil Nugget   5/15/2020 – 9/17/2020

We never know how long little kittens will be with us. Every day is a gift, and for Lil Nugget, every day he was cuddled, he was showered with kisses, and loved and cared for.

This orange bit o’ fluff was found very sick outside in a backyard in the Arlington, Tx area several months ago. He went into foster care with Buddie’s Place Cat Rescue and received lots of love and medical attention from his foster mom Jenna and her family, with the expectation he would go up for adoption there. However, during routine vetting he tested positive for feline leukemia.

We had room and Lil Nugget came to us on Sept 8^th.

From the moment he arrived our hearts were stolen by this sweet little boy, a little bitty ball of orange fur. He settled in well and we hoped that he we would be with us for a long while. We were just getting to know Lil Nugget. We know he loved his special blankie – he would suckle it and he would make the best biscuits. He loved to sit in our arms and look up at you with those big eyes and our hearts would melt. He had some favorite toys and would play and be a normal little kitten.

It was not to be a long life for Lil Nugget. Just a few months old, today he was in distress and we helped our sweet boy cross the Rainbow Bridge, gently and peacefully held in loving arms. Feline leukemia is tough on little ones but we are honored to have had the chance to love you, Lil Nugget. Your life mattered sweet boy and you were loved very much. The memories of you will always be a blessing.

Rest easy, Lil Nugget, frolic and play and run free.

Thank you to all who loved Lil Nugget, our nannies who gave him the best care, his foster Mom Jenna and her family who gave him the best start in life with so much love and Buddie’s Place Cat Rescue.

In Memory of Mandarin   12/31/2019 – 8/28/2020

Mandarin was found in an alley of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 3 other kitties. They were all just trying to survive. Luckily, the foursome were found by a local TNR group, but they all tested positive for feline leukemia. There were no resources available for cats with this condition, no hope. We were contacted and we had room for the “Puerto Rico Four” so they started their journey under the guidance of our friends at Save A Gato. Well, what an exciting trip these four had! They travelled so well, arrived at Shadow Cats and did not miss a beat as soon as they came out of their carriers. All four were in isolation together for the first days after their arrival.

Mandarin was a bundle of energy. He was a little bigger than his 3 buddies but he was still a ball of orange fluff tumbling about the room, zooming around, wrestling, playing with his travel buddies, so many toys to play with, just being an energetic kitten. He was a love bug, too. He loved to be held and loved his chin scratched. He would fall asleep with his head in your hands with a little smile on his face, and he gave the best kitty kisses in return. He lived up to his name. He was the most gorgeous orange boy and we knew he would be a handsome young man. After their initial isolation time, the Puerto Rico four were let loose in Cookies Place. They fit right in, more space to zoom around! It was all new and exciting, lots to explore.

Mandarin did not meet another cat he didn’t like, and he certainly did not meet a human he didn’t like. We could hold him just like a baby and rock him gently – the purr that came from this orange fluff ball was so loud ! He just enjoyed being a kitten, running and playing, dashing in and out of the kitty doors onto the catios, watching all the action outside, jumping up and down the shelves and laying in sunbeams. Then he would sleep as sound as can be, usually cuddled with one of his travel buddies. Such joy it brought to our hearts to watch. He knew, as did all of them, that he would never be hungry again, he would always be cared for, always have soft beds and be surrounded by love every day of his life.. He would never have to survive to stay alive ever again.

Sadly, Mandarin was not destined to live a long life. The effects of feline leukemia were taking its toll on our sweet young boy. Sometimes it’s just too hard for little ones. The always devastating decision had to be made to let Mandarin pass gently. Our final gift we can give. Our nannies held him ever so close, giving him gentle kisses and told him how much he was loved and he had stolen many hearts around the whole country.

It was way too soon. We were not ready to say goodbye, Mandarin. You had only been with us such a short time. What a story you can tell to all the kitties that have gone before you over the rainbow bridge – your rescue, about your travels, your airplane rides and the life you lived with your buddies at Shadow Cats. You can tell everyone you had a chance at life when there was none to be had. Even though your life was short, it was as full as it could have been.

You will always be in our hearts, Mandarin. You were a very special orange kitty. You made us laugh at your antics, and you brought us humans such joy. We loved you very much. We will also remember you as one of the “Puerto Rico Four”, and will cherish those memories. Rest easy, precious Mandarin. Fly high on your wings, sweet boy, play and frolic and lay in sunbeams.

Thank you to all who loved Mandarin – caregivers, volunteers and sponsors, his rescuers, Save a Gato and many more near and far.

Mandarin had 3 Sponsors

Steve Okino

Alfreda Shore

Deborah Anderson