Author: Shadow Cats

In Memory of Matilda   5/15/2016 – 4/4/2020

We’re not quite sure we have words big enough to describe Matilda or what she meant to everyone. She was rescued from the gas chambers in North Carolina through the strong work of area rescues there and was then transported to Texas. Once here she lived in Cookie’s Place and enjoyed all that life had to offer. High decks and sunbeams, love and laps, she had it all. She was always a quiet girl, a no drama mama. When she felt like it, she held court on the highest beam, allowing a chosen few to join her. The leukemia virus within her was quiet and she lived life to the fullest during this time.

This last six months, however, she grew tired of the rambunctious nature of all the cats in Cookie’s and asked – maybe demanded – to become a house kitty. She lived in the Sunroom area with four others, just enough to remind her on a daily basis of how beautiful she was, and certainly reinforcing her Diva Status. Here she reigned supreme and lived her best life.

Over the last few weeks she began to decline, losing her ability to walk or have control over her basic needs. Today, we made the very difficult decision to let her cross and as we held her in our arms and said goodbye, we knew she was at peace. Our precious girl, our Diva, has passed.

Thank you to Thumper Zarate, Pamela Marano and Karen Lunebach for their extraordinary efforts in bringing Matilda to safety. Thank you to our loving staff and volunteers who give their hearts completely to the cats in their care. Thank you to her sponsors and all who loved her from afar for making her life so much better.

She was truly special. Rest in peace, ‘Tilda girl, you were so very much loved.

Matilda had 3 Sponsors

Kristen Reed

Ivan Maucuit

Debbie Patterson

In Memory of Persia   8/29/2019 – 3/26/2020

Kittens with feline leukemia have a difficult time because their immune system is not yet fully developed and today, Persia lost her battle. Our precious girl, only 7 months old, passed gently today surrounded by her caregivers. Her short life began on the streets and the Austin Animal Center and finally to Shadow Cats.

Here she had access to high ramps, lots of hidey places and plenty of friends. She enjoyed all the night life along the creek safely from the shelter of Shadow Cats. She was a shy girl but once in your arms, you could feel the shyness melt away as she cuddled into your lap and snuggled into your neck.

It is with such sadness that we had to make that difficult decision to let her cross. Our comfort – and we hope it is yours also – is knowing that her life here was one filled with joy and love and that she was a happy kitten who loved life and all those around her.

Thank you to her sponsors who helped make it possible for her to be here and to receive the care she did, and to all that loved and supported her from afar. Thank you to our kitty nannies and volunteers for the priceless love and care you gave to her each and every day.

RIP, beautiful kitten baby.

Persia had 3 Sponsors

Deborah Whorley

Anne Llana Koob and Chris Koob

Le Ann Chamberlin

In Memory of Arwen   6/1/2019 – 3/21/2020

Our precious Arwen has passed.

What can you say about purrfection? Arwen had the softest fur imaginable and the sweetest disposition you could ask for with just the right amount of sass to make her interesting. She loved nothing more than to curl up in your lap for an afternoon snooze and once that’s done, she’s all about playing with her friends. All the cats loved Arwen – she was as sweet to them as she was to people.

During our Holiday Open House last December, Arwen reigned supreme. She was in her element, the brightest star imaginable. Everyone wanted to touch her, hold her and stroke that beautiful little furry being and Arwen didn’t just take it in stride, she reveled in it. She took her Diva duties in stride and with great grace and loved everyone that stepped into her world.

Arwen began to struggle with fevers and a general downturn related to her leukemia the last few weeks, and today she said she’d had enough.  Surrounded by her loving caregivers, she passed ever so gently.

Arwen’s life was short but her time here was filled with love and light, feline and human friends, laps and loving arms. She knew ramps and hidey places. She chased a few bugs and watched squirrels scamper just out of her reach. She lived her very best life.

Thank you to all the Freeman-Fritts Animal Shelter staff, to her Sponsors and all those that loved her from afar.

Rest easy, angel Arwen. You were special and you were very much loved.

Arwen had 5 Sponsors

Kat Mogstad

Angie Noelle

Jeanette Cacciola

SJ Derby

Stuart McKnight

In Memory of Disco   2/6/2014 – 3/18/2020

Love’s depth is hard to measure merely by time. While we had Disco for less than two weeks, he stole our hearts and his passing is felt deep within Shadow Cats and all whose lives he touched.

This little four pound cat rescued from an area shelter was surrounded by love even before he left it, by all who visited him and cared about him and to all that worked to get him to Shadow Cats. Once here we showered him with love and gave him the very best veterinary care possible. Despite all the love and medical resources, Disco’s debilitated little body could not fight the fight. He passed gently today surrounded by love and light in the arms of his caregivers, where no eye was dry and no heart untouched. We aren’t sure how a little emaciated boy who likely knew very little love could give so much of it back. He endured our pokes and prods during treatments but still sought us out for affection. Our laps gave him comfort and our arms gave him safe harbor. Our hearts became his.

We are grateful to everyone in the DFW area that worked so hard to rescue him and transport him here to Shadow Cats and to those that donated to make that happen. Our gratitude to B,D,B, LP and LA for their sponsorship for his complete care. Disco has passed, but his presence is strong. Rest easy, little guy, you were loved beyond measure.

Disco had 1 Sponsor

Bill Fifield and Dave Roseberry

In Memory of Reggie   3/15/2019 – 3/3/2020

Sir Reginald the Red, his official name and title, but known as just Reggie to us. 😊 When we were contacted about Reggie, he was one step away from going back on the streets from a local shelter. He had tested positive for feline leukemia but he was too darn friendly to go back on the streets so he came to Shadow Cats.

Reggie was one of those kitties who knew he was home. He marched out of his carrier, looked around, made his presence known and from then on he never met a stranger. He loved all his buddies in Cookies and was a snuggler and cuddler, not only to them but to all of us, staff and volunteers. He struggled a little at first with a couple of high fevers, which scared us, but we all loved him from the minute he arrived and we did not want to lose this friendly boy. He grew into the most handsome cat, with the longest legs, the four whitest of white socks and the most gentle temperament.

Reggie was nearly a year old, and as we learn more and more about the feline leukemia virus, we never know how and when it will affect our precious kitties.

Today, very suddenly and unexpectedly, Reggie was in distress. The effects of leukemia had struck. Through blinding tears we had to make the devastating decision to let him pass gently, cradled in the arms of those that loved him. Our final gift to our precious furry ones is that they cross the Rainbow Bridge knowing they are loved beyond measure.

Sir Reginald the Red, you made us laugh and gave us precious memories. You never knew the loneliness of the streets, were never hungry and always had a warm comfy bed. You enjoyed the sunbeams and playing with your buddies. We love all our kitties, but Reggie, you were a favorite of many. You lived your best life, you truly did, although it was shorter than we prayed for.

We will miss you, sweet Reggie, you beautiful ginger boy. Rest easy, soar and fly high on your angel wings. Thank you, Reggie, for the joy you brought into our lives.

Thanks to all who cared for and loved Reggie, staff, volunteers and sponsors.

Reggie had 5 Sponsors

MaryEllen Taylor

Karen Luckenmeyer

“In memory of Sophie”
-Mary Diemier

Angela Tutt

Cynthia Trimm

In Memory of Emmie   9/8/2017 – 3/2/2020

Our precious Emmie has passed.

We don’t know where Emmie’s journey first began but after having been found outside, alone and paralyzed in the Ft. Worth area and turned into the local shelter, she came to Shadow Cats in Nov 2019. We don’t know what she endured during that time on the streets but it took many months of love, patience and perseverance before she finally began to trust again. The wary, on guard look she first greeted us with was replaced with a soft gaze, and her small body seemed to melt into ours when she was held. Sometimes a lifetime is not measured in time, but rather in loving events, and for Emmie, the sunbeams, the snuggles with the other cats and the pets and attention made her life worthwhile. She could pull herself into cubbies, scoot about and she had a mind of her own. She loved the kitty nannies who  gave her both the care and treatments she had to have but also showered her with love and attention. She was often carried about in a baby sling, happy to be close to her people.

She was happy. She was home.

Only recently, just in the last week, did she begin to fail. Her breathing became compromised, along with other symptoms and a likely FIP diagnosis was made. Our precious Emmie passed in loving arms surrounded by all who loved and cared for her.  She passed gently with Haley singing softly to her. She is at peace now – no suffering – the promise we make to all of them.

Thank you especially to our kitty nannies/techs and assistants who did the tough stuff along with the love, to all our volunteers and to our sponsors who supported her care and all who loved her from afar.  A special thanks to Denise Medland.

Rest in peace, precious Emmy. We loved you so much. Find your wings, precious girl. We’ll never forget you.

Emmie had 3 Sponsors

Tanya Russell

Onanong Chanta

Nancy Henry

In Memory of Otto   4/15/2014 – 3/1/2020

Otto the Biscuit Maker was his nickname. Otto was a handsome boy, a very distinguished looking kitty. The friendliest kitty you could ever want to meet, he made friends with everyone at the sanctuary, furry and non-furry. We all hope to have a BFF in life and Otto did have a ‘bestie’ – Sammy, another ginger kitty. They would play, the boyish rough and tumble, but they were best friends! Otto also loved a lap and to be petted. His purr was strong and the nickname of biscuit maker was evident when in your lap!

Otto came from a shelter, diagnosed with feline leukemia. He was on a short list for euthanasia, time not on his side, so Otto was rescued and came to Shadow Cats. All cats are given an entrance exam and retested when they come to us. Low and behold, Otto was not FeLV he was FIV. What a huge difference! This was wonderful news and we hoped Otto would live a long life.

A few weeks after he was with us we discovered a large mass on his side. It was surgically removed and he recovered to live his best life, hopefully a long life, with us. It was not to be. Otto has not been feeling well over the past weeks. Blood work discovered kidney issues and a high white cell count. After a stay at the hospital, and feeling better, Otto came home, but after a very sudden downturn, Otto was suffering and the heartbreakingly difficult decision was made to let him pass gently.

Otto crossed the Rainbow Bridge ever so gently, cradled in loving arms, surrounded by light and those that loved and cared for him. We told him how much we loved him, and that we will never forget Otto the Biscuit Maker. Otto was only 6 years old, gone way too soon. We wished with all our hearts it wasn’t going to be this way. You fought to stay with us but couldn’t. We cherished the time you were with us. Rest easy, our sweet Otto, our handsome boy, always in our hearts. Fly high and free on your new angel wings.

Thank you to all who loved and cared for Otto, our amazing techs who looked after him every day, our volunteers, his sponsors, and all who knew Otto the Biscuit Maker.

Otto had 4 Sponsors

Bill Fifield and Dave Roseberry

Kim Smith

Amy Juried

Monica Blevins

In Memory of Mr. Chin   6/27/2005 – 2/19/2020

Most kittens adapt very well to domestic life. There are always exceptions though, and Mr. Chin was one. Trapped as a tiny kitten, he never became quite social enough to find his own home. Although Mr. Chin never developed into a lap cat, he adapted wonderfully to life in the Downtown section of the sanctuary. He had room to roam, high ramps to climb and plenty of cozy, out of the way hiding places when he wanted solitude.

Mr. Chin enjoyed his in-between lifestyle – he enjoyed being petted occasionally and on his terms – and in later years he found several special volunteers that he often would surprise by jumping into their laps and curling up for chin scritches.

He had several close pals among the other Downtown cats, and would often be curled up with one – or more – of them. For Mr. Chin, life was good and he lived it just the way he wanted.

Mr. Chin passed unexpectedly this morning. We mourn his passing. We are very sad, tears are shed, but we celebrate the life he lived. We thank all our amazing staff and volunteers who spent countless hours interacting and enriching his life. Thank you to Mr. Chin’s sponsors and all who loved him for making his life so much better. You were his family.

Rest easy, Mr. Chin. We love you and we will miss you, our handsome tuxedo boy.

Mr. Chin had 3 Sponsors

Leah Selvidge

Amy Juried

In memory of my daughter’s dear old black Manx cat, D’Arcy
–Peggy Willenberg

In Memory of General Stripes    12/11/2007 – 2/6/2020

General Stripes, how we loved you! You made us smile all the time. You were the sweetest boy, always looking a little unkempt with your slightly crooked ear.

What a purr you had, the loudest in the sanctuary. We could hear it from one room to the next. And along with the loudest purr, the squeakiest of  voices! We always said it sounded like a pigeon chirping. Always making us smile! You loved to be petted and we loved having you in our laps.

General, as he was fondly known, was a community cat found with severe cases of stomatitis and dental issues that were preventing him from eating. With veterinary intervention and care he began to regain his health and was a clinic cat at Central Texas Cat Hospital for many years.

After retiring from his job as a greeter 😊, General came to Shadow Cats, and over the years developed some different health issues. He became diabetic and recently began having further problems which he has struggled to recover from. After an unexpected sudden downturn, the always heart breaking decision was made to let General Stripes pass gently. The final gift to our precious kitties. General passed ever so gently held in loving arms, his loud purr filling the room. Yes, General Stripes, you always made us smile. Loved so very much by us all, we will miss you more than words can say. What a love bug you were. General loved people and other cats, always the greeter to everyone. He was just a sweet and kind cat. Rest easy, our sweet and gentle tabby boy. Fly free on your angel wings, General Stripes, so loved.

Thanks to all who loved and cared for General Stripes – our amazing techs, our volunteers and all who loved him from afar, especially his sponsors.

General Stripes had 4 Sponsors

Steve Block

Samantha Knight

Jeanette Cacciola

Courtney Johnson

In Memory of Maxine    10/1/2014 – 2/6/2020

We said our farewells to our precious Maxine today. It’s hard and heartbreaking every time we say goodbye to one of our precious kitties, but we know that Maxine lived a life she could never have dreamed of here at Shadow Cats and we find great comfort in knowing this.

Maxine had the roughest start to her life. She lived in a desolate place. Food was hard to come by. She was picked on by other cats and we are sure she never had the strength to fight for food. She had sores and abscesses. Every now and then scraps were thrown her way. She was a sad little kitty, always with her head down, hungry and just trying to survive.

One day, a good Samaritan came to that awful place and saw Maxine, knew she desperately needed help and scooped her up and took her out of there. We were contacted and we had space so we welcomed Maxine with open arms. We knew we would love this little girl and do all we could to nurse her back to health so she could feel better.

Always very shy, Maxine never sought out attention, but she has spent her time with us loved by everyone. She never had to feel threatened again. She was never picked on and was never hungry. She was safe, she had the best of care and was very much loved. She could always be found enjoying a sunbeam on the Uptown porch,  dreaming (we hope) about what a blessing it was to live at Shadow Cats and how lucky she was to be with us. She never had her head down again.

We will never know fully what she had to endure before she lived at Shadow Cats. She had many mountains to climb with health issues and today she could climb no longer. Maxine crossed the rainbow bridge, surrounded by light, cradled in the loving arms of her caregivers, and sweet whispers in her ears telling her she was the best kitty ever and loved by so many. Gone too soon.

Rest easy sweet Maxine. Fly free, baby girl. You were so loved and very special.

Our thanks to all who loved and cared for Maxine every day. Thanks to our volunteers who showered her with love and many thanks to her sponsors.

Maxine had 3 Sponsors

Bill Fifield and Dave Roseberry

Kathy Alessandrini

Kat Gesh-Wilson