Author: Shadow Cats

In Memory of Henry   4/3/2018 – 8/19/2020

As a cat living on the streets of McAllen, Texas, who knows what Henry endured before being rescued by a good Samaritan. We do know when he was found he was suffering from a URI, severe stomatitis, and mange plus struggling with feline leukemia. Henry found his way to a rescue in Dallas and to a foster mom who sought veterinary care and treatments while looking for a permanent home for this rough around the edges street boy! Shadow Cats had room at the end of April and Henry arrived. He received veterinary care immediately for his stomatitis (all his teeth had to come out), his other health issues, and he also had a little nip and tuck procedure – he was neutered!

Our Henry, or Henners as he was affectionately known, showed some signs of improvement but has struggled over the past months with many other health issues. Henry was a bit of a loner. He did not want to cuddle with other cats, but he did like to know other kitties were around. He always seemed to look fierce but that was the street life he had known. To us he was just Henry, not fierce at all. He was a big lug of a black panther who wanted love and affection and to be carried over their shoulders by the kitty nannies. When Henry was feeling good he would play with toys and was even known to zoom around Cookies Place, sliding across the floor. He loved to nap on this one special scratching board. It was so funny to see. Henry made us smile, because under that fierce exterior he was a big softy!

Over the last few months Henry knew what love was. He was never hungry (he loved boiled chicken!), always cared for, had a comfy bed, and a special scratching board. He was safe and we hope his street days were a very distant memory to him.

Sweet Henry, we tried everything we could to make you feel better. We wanted you to stay with us, but there were too many health issues to overcome. We know, dear boy, you were very tired and the fight was just too hard on you. Henry crossed the Rainbow Bridge today, cradled in the loving arms of the kitty nannies as they were whispering and quietly singing in his ears that he was the best kitty ever. He passed ever so gently and peacefully. Henry, you were loved so very much. Although your time with us was short, you stole our hearts and took a piece of them with you.

Henners was an old soul but he was young in years. He is going to have lots of stories to tell all those that have gone before so we know he will be quite the story teller at the Rainbow Bridge. Many thanks to his foster mom, his sponsors, our volunteers and caregivers who made this boy feel very special, just the way he should have felt – loved by many near and far. You were special, Henry, our black panther, Rest easy, dear sweet boy. No more suffering. Soar and fly high on your angel wings.

Henry had 4 Sponsors

Karen Labos

Jennifer Sykes

Amy Juried

Michelle Robinette

In Memory of Loki   6/1/2017 – 8/11/2020

Loki was found stuffed and discarded in a box in the Round Top area of Texas. He was rescued and given veterinary care and lots of TLC by the most loving guardian. But he tested positive for feline leukemia and his caretaker reached out to see if we had room to take Loki. We did!

As a kitten Loki did not sit still. He played like any other kitten until he was exhausted. He loved being with all the other cats and he had many buddies. Volunteers and staff loved Loki – he was such a character. Just to look at him with his toothy grin and crossed-eyes made you smile. Your heart just melted. Loki was a little bit of a climber and not only on cat trees – he would love to climb up our legs, just so he could be held and loved. And we did love you so much, Loki. Never a boy to miss out on what was happening on the catios, Loki loved being outside enjoying the daily antics of the squirrels and rabbits, watching all the birds on the feeder, and laying in sunbeams. Whenever we walked into Cookie’s Place and called “Loki, Loki, Loki” he would be there looking up at you with those tiny vampire teeth!

Loki had not been very well and was declining over the past week. We tried with everything in our power to keep him with us, but feline leukemia took its toll. Loki was too weak and could not fight any longer. Ever so gently and peacefully, Loki passed, cradled in loving arms.

Loki, even though your life was short, it was filled to the brim with love and care. Just 3 years old, you lived your best life with us at Shadow Cats. You were a beautiful little kitten that grew into such a character that we all loved so much. Thank you, Loki, for leaving us with so many wonderful memories.

We will miss you, goofy boy. We will never forget you. Rest easy, Loki, you will always be in our hearts. Soar on your angel wings.

Thank you to all who loved Loki near and far, our nannies and volunteers, his sponsors and his rescuer and guardian.

Loki had 3 Sponsors

Paige Crew

Cyndi Hunsberger

Kay Lambert

In Memory of Yam   10/16/2019 – 7/29/2020

Yam, our precious little ginger boy with the four white paws, crossed the rainbow bridge today. This was very sudden, which makes it even harder on our hearts. We know when feline leukemia kittens come to us that we may not have them for very long. We hope and pray that they are with us for a long time but sometimes it’s not to be. Things can change very quickly with young kittens with this disease. We held him very close and whispered gently in his ears and sang quietly to him telling him how much he was loved. Yam was just 9 months old.

Little Yam and his Mom JoJo came to us from Massachusetts from a wonderful humane society. We had space, so he traveled with good friends of Shadow Cats, and we welcomed Yam and JoJo with open arms. Yammy, as he was affectionately known, and JoJo were given a little time to settle and get used to their new home. Yam was a little shy. At first he stayed close to his mom but once he had spent some time in Cookies Place and found some new buddies Yam became a bit more adventurous and Mom was not so much wanted! He was a young boy finding his own way. Yam learned to play and make new friends. He loved to snuggle with Tiger Lily, one of his besties!

Fun fact, and this is just so lovely – Yam was part of a litter of kittens named after the potato family. So since he was such a sweet shade of orange, he was named Yam. (“I yam what I yam!”)

Although his time was short, Yam lived his best life. His life before he arrived at Shadow Cats was filled with caring people, and here at the sanctuary he knew love every single day. He had his furry buddies and he was surrounded by people that loved him very much. He played, he watched the daily antics of the squirrels and birds outside, he cuddled with his buddies and every now and again he checked in with his Mom. 😊

Sweet Yam, we are going to miss you very much. You had grown into such a handsome boy. With your markings and those four white paws, you sure were beautiful. You were loved so much.

Rest easy, Yammy. Fly high and free, soar on your angel wings.

Our thanks to all who cared for Yam and showered him with love – his caregivers, our volunteers, his sponsors, his travel friends, MetroWest Humane Society in MA and all who loved him near and far

Yam had 6 Sponsors

Cheryl Mitcham

Susan Budge

Margaret and Kevin Hollembeak

Amy Juried

Susan McRee

Rain Nox

In Memory of Phoebe   5/22/2005 – 7/18/2020

Our beautiful girl Phoebe crossed over the Rainbow Bridge today. Our precious girl was feeling poorly last week with renal issues and we tried everything to keep her with us, but alas she had to go and our hearts are broken. Phoebe was held in loving arms and passed ever so gently, our final gift to our sweet girl, a gentle passing.

Phoebe was rescued as a tiny kitten in South Texas. She did not become socialized to other cats and even as a kitten she preferred to be on her own as she lived her life at the sanctuary. We hoped that she would be able to live with other cats as she grew a little older but she still preferred solitude and was not friendly towards other cats. We gave her all the space she needed and she lived her younger life on her terms. We loved her just the same and respected her choice! She lived in comfort, cared for each and every day.

Phoebe was 15 years old, and as we all mellow in our later years, Phoebe did too and in the last few years she became quite the social girl. She decided that being friends with other kitties was not so bad after all! Phoebe also decided laps were a great thing and sought out attention from volunteers and staff. She loved to be petted and we loved to give her all the love she wanted. What a wonderful gift you gave us Phoebe. We were patient with you and you rewarded us with your love.

Phoebe, our sweet girl, you were so beautiful, even though your ear tip was a little too much. It made you even more special. You had the softest fur, the most gorgeous eyes and the best purr. And we didn’t mind at all if you drooled on us out of pure happiness. Phoebe was loved by all who met her, the gentlest girl, a stunner!

We will miss you, Phoebe. Tears flow today and we will never forget you. We loved you deeply and you will always be in our hearts. Rest easy, beautiful girl. You were one of a kind. Fly high on your angel wings.

Thanks to our staff who cared for Phoebe every single day, our volunteers who showered her with love, her sponsors and the doctors and staff at Sam Bass Wellness /Central Texas Cat Hospital who cared for Phoebe.

Phoebe had 3 Sponsors

Monica Waxman

Alexandra Myssura

Jennifer Bristow

In Memory of Shadow   4/12/2006 – 6/15/2020

Our long haired grey beauty, Shadow, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. Over the past months she has been declining in health, despite constant treatment and care, and today she told us it was her time. She was cradled in loving arms, gentle whispers in her ears telling her she was the best kitty ever. She was surrounded by love and light and all those that loved and cared for her every day.

Shadow was born on the streets and lived the first 10 years of her life from 2006 as a feral kitty with her siblings. They were all very well looked after as community cats. In 2017, the two remaining cats, Shadow and her sister Boo, found themselves in an unstable situation – the guardians were moving and there was no one to take care of them. Shadow Cats was contacted and after trapping both sisters we had a plan to relocate to an experienced ranch home with wonderful caregivers.

Well, you know what they say about plans sometimes!

Shadow had other idea! Guess she wanted to stay at Shadow Cats because while we were getting ready for transport in the Downtown area of the sanctuary Shadow got away from us. We tried to get her but she had made up her mind she was staying, so Shadow and her sister Boo stayed at Shadow Cats.

You would never know that Shadow lived as a feral kitty for all those years. Over the time she has been with us, she has become the sweetest kitty, always welcoming us and always wanting to be petted. This is a feel good story at the end. Shadow left us today knowing that she was loved so much. She experienced love, she knew what sitting on laps felt like, she was cuddled and kissed, she was cared for every day, she was never hungry, she laid in sunbeams, and she enjoyed being with all the other kitties, especially her sister Boo. Shadow was a very special girl.

We will miss you, beautiful girl. We were so honored you chose to stay with us so we could love you as much as we did. Rest easy, precious girl, and soar on your angel wings.

Many thanks to all her sponsors, her caregivers, and all who loved her, near and far, and to those who care for community cats every day.

Shadow had 3 Sponsors

Sandy Frederick

Tim McMullin

Delonda Belanger

In Memory of Nicky Grey   4/24/2006 – 6/1/2020

Our beautiful Nicky Grey passed this afternoon. She had a long history of lung issues and today her condition worsened. After a full assessment, the difficult decision was made to let her pass. She left us peacefully, held in loving arms with sweet whispers in her ears telling her she was the best kitty ever.

Nicky was a very special girl. She was a community kitten rescued off the streets in 2006 and then placed into an adoptive home where she lived happily for many years. Due to extenuating circumstances, she lost that home in 2017 and was returned to Shadow Cats.

Nicky Grey was a stunning long haired beauty with a personality to match. She was gentle and knew no strangers. She loved being petted and she still had a lot of ‘kitten’ in her where she liked to play with toys and bat around a toy mouse now and then. Her favorite thing was to curl up on a cat tree and catch the afternoon sun. She was also quite the chatty girl – we weren’t always sure what she was saying, but we loved to listen. She reigned as one of the Super Divas at Shadow Cats.

Nicky was the first to befriend Bette when she first came to Shadow Cats. Nicky groomed and cradled Bette during her most stressful hours after rescue. We think Nicky was telling Bette that she was safe, to relax and that all would be well. They remained lifelong friends.

We thank the kitty nannies who cared for her each day, all the volunteers who spent hours combing her fur, her wonderful sponsors and all who loved and cared about her both near and far. And we thank Central Texas Cat Hospital for the care they gave her.

Rest easy, sweet Nicky. You are loved by so many. Fly high with those new angel wings and watch over us always.

Nicky Grey had 3 Sponsors

Kay Lambert

Barbara Bytnar

Lynn Wesley

In Memory of Judy   3/15/2015 – 5/28/2020

Our precious Judy. They threw away the mold when they made our sweet California girl. This gorgeous brown tabby was found in 2017 living at the local supermarket parking lot in Corona, CA. As her initial rescuer sought to help her, she quietly sang “Hey Jude” under her breath, and so Judy became the perfect name for this bundle of sweetness. After the long airline trip to Austin she settled into life at Shadow Cats.

Judy soon found her soulmate in Skittles, and where you found one, you found the other. Always together, they lived life in perfect unison. Judy was quite the nurturer and always found a spot on Skittles that needed a little extra grooming. They spent countless hours lying in the sun together and enjoying the sunbeams. Of course, if Skittles did something she didn’t like, she was not above giving him a little smack, which he quietly endured. He knew she was right. :)

After Skittle’s passing last month, Judy quickly began showing her own signs of the feline leukemia virus they both carried. She rapidly declined and today she told us it was the day she wanted to join her beloved companion. Wrapped in loving arms, she gently crossed over. We know Skittles was there to greet her.

Thank you to all that cared about Judy, near and far. Rest in peace, our precious girl. You were so dearly loved.

Judy had 4 Sponsors

Lisa and Terry Hershberger

Wendy Voison

Erin Skalka

Anne Llana-Koob and Chris Koob

In Memory of Sister   1/27/2005 – 5/7/2020

The sweetest kitty, Sister crossed the Rainbow Bridge today, ever so gently and peacefully, cradled in loving arms with sweet whispers in her ears. Charlie was waiting for her.

Many followed the adventures of community cats Charlie and Sister, who’d had their formerly safe home encroached upon by urbanization and nonstop construction. Charlie and Sister were fed and cared for daily by Margaret and Sheri for years and in 2016, they noticed that Charlie seemed ‘off. They were able to trap him on a freezing wet cold day and rushed him to medical care. They also trapped his beloved sibling, Sister, a week later after many failed tries. The day Charlie was released from the veterinary clinic, he was taken to his colony and when Sister heard his meows, she came out of the storm drain, and into the trap to get close to her brother.

Charlie could never get well enough to completely recover, but they had months together in a safe and nurturing home before he passed.

Sister came to the Sanctuary shortly after and acclimated well. Her early days were often spent hiding, but as time went by Sister enjoyed attention. She knew when anyone walked down the stairs into the Downtown area and would come out for pets, loves and head scritches. Sometimes she would still get a little scared and sudden movements made her scurry to the safety of hiding spots, but over the last few months that changed. Sister was always there to greet everyone.She came and went as she pleased. She had many kitty friends. She was a gentle sweet girl and could often be seen giving the best head bumps to her kitty friends. Sister was a favorite of many volunteers. They loved her and spent time working to make her as comfortable as possible. Her social behavior this last year is a testament to their devotion and to the ever present love that her first guardians gave her.

We thank all her sponsors who helped make her life the best it could be and all that loved her both near and far. She was a precious soul and loved for herself and all her gentleness. We will miss you sweet girl. Rest easy, little Sister.

Sister had 5 Sponsors

Amy Juried

Sheri Biggs

Christina Huizar

Renee Vorbach

Margaret Hollembeak

In Memory of Luna   11/2/1998 – 4/25/2020

We always say once a Shadow Cats always a Shadow Cat.

Luna was adopted at a very young age. We were so thrilled, a forever home for this beautiful girl. But it was not to be. For whatever reason, Luna was dumped outdoors when her adoptive parent moved away. A good Samaritan recognized Luna wandering outside, trapped her and returned her to Shadow Cats.

We welcomed this little white kitty with open arms. We would shower her with love and knew we had to regain her trust. She had been through an ordeal. Luna had some different ideas. We say this with so much love but our little girl Luna has always been a little on the, ah, cranky side. Everything has always been on her terms, and we loved her even more for that. She would jump in your lap, would love to be petted and always warn you when it was time to stop.

As Luna grew older she had some health issues and recently she developed a large mass. She has been receiving love, care and treatment everyday but sadly Luna could no longer fight. She told us she was tired and it was her time. Cradled in loving arms Luna passed ever so peacefully, gentle whispers in her ears telling her she was the best kitty ever.

We never know what the personality of a cat will be. Luna was one big personality and lived up to her nickname of Looney Tunes – she could be a little crazy at times! There will be many tears by our staff and volunteers and you, our friends from afar. Luna was a favorite of many – we think her crankiness made her all the more lovable. We will miss your antics. Many of us have been swatted by you over the years!

We celebrate your life, Luna, nearly 22. After a tough start in life, you ruled in the Uptown area of Shadow Cats. You were loved and cared for every day. You were safe. You were part of the very essence of Shadow Cats. We will miss you greatly Looney Tunes! Uptown area will not be quite the same.

Rest easy, precious girl, and fly high on angel wings. Thanks to her sponsors, staff and volunteers, and all who loved Luna.

Luna had 3 Sponsors

“I am so very happy to sponsor you.  When I saw your picture you filled my heart with your beauty and personality.  Even though we may be miles apart, know that I love you and am so proud to be your sponsor.  I hope someday I can visit you in person!”
-Dawn Lawson

Mary Crevier

“In Honor of Amy Loar and her daughter Ellen”
-Jennifer Sykes

In Memory of Skittles   8/1/2012 – 4/23/2020

Our precious Skittles has passed.

Skittles came to Shadow Cats in August of 2017 from a rescue in Dallas where he had been found in a community cat colony. Once we had space available, Skittles found his way here. There was no way to know the giant imprint that he would leave on our hearts. Skittles was one of those cats that, when you were talking to him, made you feel he was really listening and he would answer with a little meow and long gazing looks as though he understood everything. He had such a beautiful way about him. He was a gentle soul, too gentle to handle all the shenanigans of Cookie’s, so he took up residence in the Sunroom area of the Sanctuary along with a few other sweet Felv+ cats. There he met Judy and they became very bonded. Where you found one, the other was close by. Until the end, she hovered over him and was always close at hand. There really are no words big enough to describe what the loss of this boy means. He filled the room with his sweet presence.

Skittles has been fading for several weeks and tonight we knew we had to let him cross. With Judy by his side, he peacefully passed. We whispered our love to him as he crossed over, and told him we will miss him terribly, he will always be in our hearts, and we will smile every time we speak his name.

We thank his Sponsors for providing care for him and thank all that loved him from afar. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers and to our staff who gave him all the love he could ever want. That is so much more than many receive and we know Skittles felt it all. Rest easy, precious Skittles, and soar on angel wings. You were loved so very much, Skittles. You were one special boy.

Skittles had 4 Sponsors

Arlene Blankenship

Loren Henderson

Denise Sherrod

Leann Chamberlin