Author: Shadow Cats

In Memory of Bo     5/19/2021 – 8/2/2024

Bo was originally found in a colony of cats in Dallas, where a good Samaritan cared for them. Every day, she would come to feed, and every day, sweet Bo would come rushing in for a chance at a snack. He would stumble, trip, and run into things on the way, but he’d arrive at his destination always. She began to suspect that he was blind, given his difficulty getting around. When she saw sweet Bo littered with scratches and bites from other cats, she knew she had to find a better solution for him. Thankfully, Shadow Cats had room!

Bo joined us at Shadow Cats in June of 2023 after a positive feline leukemia diagnosis, initially very sick at the start. He had intermittent fevers and we were concerned about whether or not he’d make it through. But with patience and a lot of love, we nursed him back to health. One of our technicians, Caitlin, took a shine to Bo and the nervous boy seemed to find solace in her presence.

When Bo was healthy and his isolation period was up, it was time to meet the other cats! We always wonder how they will react and tend to take introductions slowly for the health of the cat we’re introducing and all the others. But Bo really melded with the energy in Annex. He made friendships with the other cats and even got himself caught in a love triangle to our surprise (and admittedly, delight).

Bo would spend his days lounging out on the catio, taking in sunbeams he couldn’t see but could surely feel, and cuddling. Scotty and Tiptoe were prime cuddle buddies, and eventually, Orca joined the mix, too. It was always heartwarming to look out and see a pile of four cats all interlinked and enjoying the warmth of the Texas sun and listening to chirping birds. Bo had gotten quite squishy in his time of comfort at Shadow Cats, we’re sure he made for an amazing pillow for the other kitties.

Eventually, Bo’s quiet, calm energy attracted the attention of our wispy and wily Lunita. She would seek him out as he napped on the catio, rubbing her face on his and rolling around in an admittedly desperate attempt to get his attention. But Bo was always calm, and though he didn’t return her flirtations in the same way, his quiet presence remained. He always did love a good cuddle!

He became brave enough eventually that Caitlin found out his favorite pastime: butt pats. Bo would rub up on her, alternating side to side, begging for butt pats. He was a chunky boy at that point, well-filled out with lots of extra snacks and love, and could take a good pat. When she would be working in Annex, she found he would often come out just for this!

Over the course of a year, we were privileged enough to see this sweet angel of a cat spread his wings and become comfortable. But the price of that love we hold so dear is loss, and the day came sooner for our sweet Bo than we’d hoped. Bo suddenly struggled with his appetite, and very quickly went into liver failure because of it. Medications were not enough, and we had Bo hospitalized and a feeding tube placed. He was kept at Vista Vet and given incredible supportive care, but his leukemia slowed the healing process down and he simply could not recover. We had to make the incredibly difficult decision to let Bo go, to end his suffering though he fought so hard.

Held in loving arms, Bo made biscuits on his favorite person and peacefully left us. Even as sick as he was, there was nothing but warmth and love in his heart. Bo was always that way—gentle, sweet & snuggly, a soft head-bump into your palm for pets on your hardest day. All of them are special, but Bo was really something. Many tears were shed, a deep sadness felt, but some comfort in having the privilege to know him at all.

Though Bo could not see the love in our eyes, he surely felt it every day. Though he could not see the smiles on our faces as we showered him with affection, he surely felt the warmth of our touch. He could not see us, such an important sense to a cat, but every day, he chose to trust us and the cats that surrounded him. And there is nothing braver than letting love in despite the odds—Bo did that.

We feel his absence already, missing the way he curled up in that lowest bed on the cat tree, filling it with the chunky body he’d acquired after never having to worry about life on the streets ever again. But we know in our hearts that Bo does not have to be in pain anymore, and does not have to live with feline leukemia anymore. We know that across the rainbow bridge, Shadow Cats wait to greet him, to guide him into an endless meadow, where perhaps Bo can finally see the bunnies his friends were so eager to chase.

Thank you so much to Vista Vet for providing Bo with such incredible care, and for dedicating so much time and effort into giving our boy the best chance possible. Thank you to the staff who loved and supported him, who dedicated so much time to his betterment, to the volunteers who always had a pet and a brush at the ready, and to his wonderful sponsors Terri E and Debbie P.

We love you, Bo. We always will.

Bo had 2 Sponsors

Terri Eagen-Torkko

Debbie Patterson

In Memory of Koutzey      4/24/2004 – 7/22/2024

In 2021, we were notified of two elderly black cats, named KouKoutzey and Sushi, in dire need of rescue. Their person had passed away, and the hands they fell into were not hands that could support them. Thankfully, the elderly brothers found sanctuary at Shadow Cats and made their forever home in Oasis’ cozy atmosphere. They became particularly fond of the fluffy beds posted up on the kitchen counter!

Sushi unfortunately passed away in 2022 after an incredible 18 years of life, but his brother seemed intent on living out his golden years at the sanctuary. KouKoutzey was lovingly shortened to Koutzey, and often even Koutz. And boy, Koutzey barely even needed acclimation time, which is always something we worry about with the introduction of elderly cats. He pretty immediately made Oasis as much his home as any of the cats who had lived there for years! Some part of Koutzey knew this was where he was meant to be, and he settled into sanctuary life like he was settling into the comfort of a well-loved, favorite blanket.

Koutzey thoroughly enjoyed a good catnap, spending a lot of time nestled in the warmth of the softest beds Oasis had to offer. Often, he’d wander outside to bask in sunbeams on the catio, sprawled across his favorite cat scratcher. Reclining, he’d watch the occasional bunny hop by, but mostly the boy just loved to sleep. Sometimes, we’d even be blessed enough to catch him napping with his tongue out, because that’s what happens when you don’t have any teeth left!

In his old age, Koutzey’s many necessary medications and daily fluid therapy made him a centerpiece in our daily routine. When it came time for the staff to do fluids, Koutzey would wait expectantly and with a little croak of a meow to remind you of the time…and the ever important wet food snack that came with the treatment! Without teeth, he never snacked very gracefully, but we were always grateful for his good appetite.

And grateful for his general presence, honestly. There was just something so sweet about Koutzey. He loved to lay on a soft lap, but if you were on the go, he’d sometimes get up to follow you for the journey. At over two decades old, movement was hard sometimes, but still he’d follow for the promise of company and a good ear scritch.

Over time, his age became more and more apparent, and his body was failing the spirit within. We supported Koutzey in every way we could, with veterinary care, supplements, and even acupuncture, but there came a point when this old man told us it was his time to go. He’d soaked up all the sunbeams he could, loved as gently as his old heart would, and ate enough delicious snacks to keep his belly full for a lifetime. This chapter was over, and it was time for him to rest.

Koutzey passed peacefully at the sanctuary, lovingly held in the arms of those who’d cared for him during his years at Shadow Cats. We will miss his presence deeply, and his loss will be felt heavily, as those little pawprints imprinted upon the place he’d lived for so many years, and also on our hearts. But Koutzey is now no longer tethered to the body that held him back. He’s free of pain, of illness, and his brother Sushi waits at the entrance of the rainbow bridge to help him cross over to the lap of the owner they’d lost all those years ago.

We will miss you, Koutzey, but are comforted by the memories we made together, the love and bonds we shared, and are carried by their warmth. Though Shadow Cats was a short slice of Koutzey’s long life, we feel so privileged to have known this gentle little spirit at all.

Thank you to Vista Vet for Koutzey’s exemplary medical care, to Dr. Birdwell for always helping Koutzey with his aches and pains through acupuncture, to the staff who loved and so thoroughly cared for him, to the volunteers who always had a lap to offer and a brush to pamper him with. Thank you to everyone who made Koutzey’s life that much brighter, to Amy J. for sponsoring this sweet old boy, and to the person who helped Koutzey and brought him into our care.

We love you, Koutzey. We always will.

Koutzey had 1 Sponsor

Amy Juried

In Memory of Papa Nut      7/7/2015 – 7/15/2024

Papa Nut was a big, beautiful Siamese mix boy who just charmed his way into your heart. He had the most stunning blue eyes – as soon as you looked into those big ‘ole blue eyes your heart melted.

Papa Nut came to us from a veterinary hospital with a family of cats behind their building, all loved and cared for – Papa Nut, Mama Nut, and three little Baby Nuts. One of the baby nuts, Acorn, was adopted by a dear friend of Shadow Cats. All the kittens were adopted, and Mama Nut was TNR’d and continues to be cared for by the clinic. Papa Nut unfortunately was found to be FeLV+. We were contacted and had room at the time and Papa Nut arrived at the sanctuary.

Not accustomed to living with roommates, Papa Nut was a little apprehensive at first and slightly nippy, to put it mildly! We decided that for a short period, Papa Nut would benefit from being the office cat, so he could get used to people and settle in. He did quite quickly! He would jump on the desks and want to play. He had never had toys before and was so curious about each different one, but he figured it out and was always playing with his special one – a kicker toy that he loved. The nippiness disappeared and he was much calmer, and if anyone was sitting at a desk he would just sit on their feet!

We moved Papa Nut into Cookie’s Annex, so he could have some buddies. This is a quieter room, a big master bedroom, and we thought he would like the more chill atmosphere. He did! He became Mr. Chill himself! He loved the quieter room, he would stretch out on the bed, stretch out on the beds on the catio, and he became such a laid-back boy. His kicker toy still with him he also loved to play in the crinkle tunnel and if we were looking for him that’s where we could find him. He loved that thing, his big blue eyes peering out at us. He was not a big cuddler with other kitties, but now and again could be seen touching noses and saying hello to everyone. He was the calming influence in the room.

Nicknames we love, our cats are family, and Papa Nut did not escape being called other names. Affectionately he was known as Mr. P.Nut and of course ‘ole blue eyes. We told him he was famous after his picture appeared in an article on Shadow Cats in an edition of the magazine Healthy Austin. Our Papa Nut was a centerfold star! We loved this boy to bits, he was so sweet, very gentle, and a little quirky at times, too. He seemed to just enjoy his days in the Annex, chillin’, always receptive to our pets and attention.

We always give the best care we can, and a few months ago, he had a dental that resulted in him losing most of his teeth. For a few days, he scared us but made a miraculous recovery and was doing a lot better for a long time.

Our dear boy has recently declined. We did bloodwork, and there were several flags on the bloodwork that had us concerned about end-stage feline leukemia rearing its ugly head. An ultrasound was done and found a large mass encircling his intestinal loops. We were not expecting this devastating news. Our precious boy has declined rapidly. The kindest thing we could do for this little angel now, our final gift, was a gentle and peaceful farewell surrounded by all those who loved and cared for him.

Our sweet Papa Nut, we will miss you so much. Your stunning blue eyes, full of love when you looked at us, your gentle and yet quirky ways, your way of making us feel chilled in your presence. We recently celebrated your 9th birthday and we will hold dear in our hearts the last three and half years you were with us. You have lived your best life every day and we are blessed you were part of our lives.

Rest easy precious P.Nut, ’ole blue eyes, you will live on in our hearts always. You have left us with the best memories we will cherish forever. Many are waiting to greet their buddy at the Rainbow Bridge, especially dear Rose who had a soft spot for you Papa Nut. 😊

Our thanks always to our caring, compassionate staff for taking such good care of Papa Nut. Thanks to our volunteers who showered him with love. Thanks to all at Vista Vet for their care and concern. Special thanks to his sponsors who loved him from afar and the veterinary hospital that cared for all the Nut family.

Papa Nut had 4 Sponsors

Nancy Henry

Michelle Robinette

Deby Bailey

Gloria Bogardus

In Memory of Marlene      3/16/2013 – 6/12/2024

Marlene was spicy, strong-willed, and very independent with a huge personality.

Only with us for a short time since March, Marlene made a huge impression on all who met her.

She came to us from a sad situation that resulted in an uncertain future for many kitties. We were contacted by Rainbow Journey Sanctuary and we were happy to help and welcomed Marlene to her new home at Shadow Cats.

Before being rescued by Rainbow Journey, Marlene had spent much of her life confined in a cage which resulted in her not having the use of her front paws. She had learned to adapt and walk with her feet curled. At first very fearful and untouchable she gradually learned to trust.

We were overwhelmed at the depth of our love for Marlene as soon as she came out of her carrier. She had our hearts in the first minute, and we promised her we would do everything we could for her to live her best life.

In just the 3 short months she has been with us she has done just that.

Marlene has owned the Oasis area of the sanctuary. Despite her deformities, she had no fear. In our kitchen there are a set of steps to get onto the kitchen counter and some of the older kitties like to use these; so did Marlene. No fear of heights she climbed these steps and loved to be on the top step and watch all the happenings in the kitchen. She could move fast and eventually found her way out onto the catio, which she loved. And the biggest thing! Our girl had a boyfriend! Often seen sharing a bed with our elder statesman Koutzey. You go, girl!

Marlene warmed up to the other kitties more than she did to us humans. Through her spiciness she was a shy girl, but after a little bit, we were rewarded with affection from Marlene. Her kitty minutes were short for pets and attention. She did like cheek and chin scritches in short bursts. We were always aware of her spiciness and because of this our hearts nearly burst when she crawled into volunteer’s laps when they were sitting on the floor. It was not a cuddly time; it was hands-off and let Marlene dictate the terms, but it was worth the joy this small act brought us and the smiles on our faces and theirs when she did this to a volunteer.

Her fierce independence and strong will ever present she was a challenge to medicate. She did love Kearstin our Sanctuary Manager; she chose her as her person and would let her do a little more sometimes than the other techs. Kearstin would hold her head and Marlene would lean into her and allow her to scritch her ears, too! There was a bond between these two. One of our night staff, Caitlin, says she would lay on the floor with her and Marlene would perch on her chest. So special!

Marlene was doing well until a few days ago. We did not expect the devastating news that Marlene had an autoimmune condition that was attacking her joints and making movement of any kind so painful. There was no guarantee any treatment would work. The always difficult decision was made to let Marlene pass peacefully and gently, held in Kearstin’s arms as she fell asleep, and surrounded by all that loved and cared for her daily.

Marlene, we promised you that we would do everything for you and we did. In three short months, you were loved more than we can say. We will never forget our spicy, strong-willed and independent girl who made a huge impression on us all. We will miss your huge personality and incredible determination.

Oh how we wished you could have stayed sweetheart, but you are now free of any suffering. Always and forever, you will be in our hearts. You were one special kitty, Marlene.

Thank you to all who loved Marlene. To our amazing staff, their huge hearts and dedication to the care of all at the sanctuary. Thanks to our caring volunteers and her sponsors Pam L and Shirley J. Our thanks to all at Vista Vet, veterinarians, and staff who cared for Marlene.

Marlene had 2 Sponsors

Pam Lind

Shirley Johnson

In Memory of Ralphie      3/22/2021 – 6/11/2024

Ralphie’s start was about as scruffy as you’d expect by looking at that sweet face! He hailed from the streets of Kerrville, TX, where this sweet-natured boy prowled and scavenged until he was rescued. Unfortunately, a complication we’re all too familiar with here at Shadow Cats arose: Ralphie wound up testing positive for Feline Leukemia. He was at risk of euthanasia, so Kerrville Pets Alive reached out to us, and we made room for those chubby cheeks and scruffy little face.

Ralphie came to us in May of 2023, and our lives were forever changed by this sweet black and brown kitty. Ralphie may not be one of the kitties to immediately swarm you when you enter Cookie’s Place, but he found his role amongst the busyness of the room all the same. His attitude was fitting for a reformed street cat: an inherent gratefulness for all he had and a complete and utter lack of table manners!

With the exception of being medicated, Ralphie just seemed happy to be included. Where loving hands and soft words were involved, Ralphie was happy to be generous with his time. When you’d take the time to clean out his ears, which had a propensity to get as messy as the rest of him, he’d allow you to do it with this soft, gentle look in his eyes. Most cats would run in the other direction, but Ralphie happily perched on the sink, and when you were done with your spa duties, he’d ask you this question with a look. Like he knew you were done, but could you just mimic the task again? He just wanted to spend time with you, grateful for any softness you had to spare. Those big, round eyes would just melt your heart.

Even if the surrounding areas of his face tended to be covered in crumbs more often than not! Ralphie, perhaps a thread from his days on the street, was the messiest eater you’d ever seen. More food tended to be on his cheeks and chin than in his mouth, and he’d sport the look proudly…and he’d put it on complete with loud smacking noises, too. We’d just smile at our messy boy, happy to take the extra time to wipe the excess off from around his mouth just so he could look up at us with those sweet eyes once again. Ralphie absolutely melted all of our hearts, and as grateful as he was for our kindness, we were perhaps more grateful for his presence.

It was hard when it became clear that his time had come. Our time with Feline Leukemia kitties can be so short, and though we treasure every last moment we have with them, it never seems like enough. Our hearts broke when Ralphie became sick: the sudden development of diabetes paired with organ failure proved to be too much for this sweet angel. Our staff lovingly tended to and treated him for weeks, doing everything in their power to help him over this bump in the road, but those grateful eyes looked up at us one last time and with one last question. A final gift: a gentle passing, surrounded by the loving hands he loved so much.

Ralphie passed on in a room brimming with love for him, in the place he’d called home for a little over a year. We remember it all: all those gentle moments, the playful ones too, the quiet presence that didn’t loudly demand your attention but struck a match within our hearts all the same. Days spent lazing about on the catio, sunbathing and luxuriating, playing with plentiful cat toys, and enjoying the most delicious of meals with gusto. It doesn’t make his passing easier, but we know in our hearts that we impacted Ralphie’s life as much as he impacted ours. With heavy hearts and tears in our eyes, we guided him across the rainbow bridge, where we know many plates of fancy feast lay scattered for him, all for the taking. And for the smearing on his face!

We will miss cleaning you up, messy boy. Your gentle look is imprinted in our hearts forever, because we love you. We always will.

Thank you to Vista Vet and Heart of Texas for the incredible medical care he received. Thank you to the staff who lovingly cared for him every day and did their absolute best to nurse this boy back to health. Thank you to the volunteers who were always ready with lots of pets and playtime, and to his sponsors.

Ralphie had 2 Sponsors

Ray & Sonia Sinclair

Debbie Patterson

In Memory of Poco      1/18/2014 – 6/11/2024

Most Shadow Cats find a spot at the sanctuary through incredible people saving them from unfortunate origins. Poco’s journey was different than the rest: softer and gentler, like Queenie’s, the other half in this bonded pair. Poco lived a happy life with her person and a few other cats for about 9 years. Then, in January of 2022, sweet Poco and Queenie’s lives changed forever with the loss of their person. With nowhere to go, they wound up in the shelter.

This sweet pair was struggling to adapt to shelter life—wilting in their new environment as they waited for a home, the staff felt they were in need of immediate rescue. That’s where we came in, and whisked Queenie and Poco away to live out their golden years at our sanctuary. The girls found their independence in Oasis and got used to their own routines and habits. Queenie took to the shelves in the Oasis kitchen window, while Poco preferred to sunbathe on the catio. Queenie was more subdued and quiet, while Poco had an inquisitive streak. Poco would often tilt her head to the side and look at you with a twinkle in those beautiful green eyes. She was playful and sweet, and all human interaction had to be on her terms!

Queenie passed in January of 2024, and while Poco was an independent girl, we’d see her on those shelves Queenie frequented a bit more often after her passing. Still, nothing could stop Poco, especially if you approached her to give her daily fluids and medication…she’d pull the most marvelous disappearing acts! Usually, though, they all ended at the same place: the Oasis catio, on one of the shelves. We’d always laugh because it was always so much easier to scoop her up on those shelves than under the couch or chasing her through the halls. Wiggly as she is, perhaps there was a reason she was ready to forfeit to the chase so easily. Maybe she didn’t mind the extra attention (and snacks) as much as she claimed.

Poco was quite the personality, and she shined the brightest in front of a camera. When it came time for our food drives, Poco was always front and center with that adorable head tilt and an outstretched paw. Those seafoam eyes sparkled with so much whimsy, so much curiosity, and playfulness, we were always excited for more of Poco’s cute antics. And while she loved her independence, she certainly didn’t shy away from snuggling as long as she was the one to initiate it. She knew what she wanted, when she wanted it, and for exactly how long before she took off to tend to very important business in some other part of Oasis.

It seems our sweet Poco has important business to attend to across the rainbow bridge, as we recently discovered cancer in her chest after she became sick and abnormal lung sounds were heard by her veterinarian. Our hearts, absolutely breaking at the mere thought, knew that it was time to let our sweet angel go. In the comfort of her home, surrounded by the loving hands that kept her going through her chronic conditions every day and with plenty of love to spare, Poco left us. A tearful passing, one felt in the very depths of us, but tempered by the knowledge that Poco has taken her sense of purpose to another realm entirely. Perhaps that very important business is warming the lap of the person who loved her most of her life, right beside Queenie, who’s been keeping it warm in the meantime.

Our hearts break, but we feel so thankful to have had Poco’s light illuminate us for even a few years. We’ll miss those sweet, curious eyes, that adorable half-mustache, and those cute little white socks she loved to run on. We love you, Poco. We always will.

Thank you to Vista Vet for the incredible medical care she received during her stay at Shadow Cats. Thank you to the staff who lovingly played tag with Poco every day to make sure she got the treatments she needed to be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Thank you to the volunteers who loved her and played with this spunky girl, and thank you to her sponsors, Heidi H and Sheila S for supporting Poco through it all.

Poco had 2 Sponsors

Heidi Harris

Sheila Steapleton

In Memory of Tiptoe      10/2/2008 – 6/1/2024

The end of another era at Shadow Cats. Another of the Old Guard at the sanctuary gained his wings today, our precious Tiptoe.

Rescue groups help each other out whenever they can. So when the Austin Humane Society called one day many years ago about a friendly young cat around 3 years old they’d taken in as a stray who turned out to be feline leukemia positive, we had room and he was on his way to his new life. A life where he would be forever safe, always loved and cared for.

Tiptoe was a sweetheart and was so friendly. In the early days at the old sanctuary, he spent so much of his time in the outside enclosure, always watching and listening to all that was going on. He was very friendly, he would rub against your legs, loved to be given treats, and rolled over for the belly rubs we were so happy to give. Who knows why he ended up on the streets of Austin, but we were so glad that he found his home with us. He had lots of friends back then; one in particular, Woodrow, you could hardly tell them apart, only the notched ear on Woodrow set him apart. They were two beautiful black panthers. They were both so young and playful and very friendly. Sadly Woodrow passed several years ago.

Tiptoe was always the friendliest, cuddly boy, an absolute sweetheart, and loved by all he met, furry and human alike. As he aged a little his wonderful personality blossomed even more, and he became the Uncle figure of Cookie’s Place. He loved to be around the little ones when we had newbie kitten arrivals. He would show them the ropes and what was what and would put them in their place if he had to! He was also a caregiver; if any of his buddies were not feeling so well he could always be found cuddling with them, a paw gently laid across them telling them all will be ok. He was the best Uncle ever!

You know we love nicknames, our Tippers or Tippy Toes as most called him was the sweetest, gentlest kitty you ever wanted to meet. As well as caring for other cats, Tiptoe felt he needed to look after us humans, too. Whenever we sat with him, he would give the best head bumps, loved to snuggle at our necks, and always felt we needed to be clean and would lick our necks for us until he felt we were clean enough, such a caring, loving boy!

When we moved to the new sanctuary, Tiptoe loved the big catio and would spend hours soaking in all the sights and sounds of the outdoors, watching rabbits and squirrels, and talking to them from his side of the screen😊

How did he end up on the streets all those years ago, we don’t know, but we are blessed that Tiptoe enjoyed his best life for over 13 years at the sanctuary. He lived well and his life was full of love every day. A part of who we are, one of the Old Guard, a gaping hole is left in our hearts as we say farewell to our precious boy.

Tiptoe’s health had declined rapidly. A FeLV kitty at almost 16 years old is amazing. With leukemia, older age, and health problems, our sweet boy was tired and struggling, and his time with us had come to an end. Our final gift, a gentle passing out on the catio he loved so much, held in loving arms, surrounded by love and light and the sounds of the outdoors.

We will miss you terribly Tippy Toes, we will hold you in our hearts forever. We will cherish the memories you left us. We are all a chorus of love and support for all who come across our threshold. Little did we know 13 years ago that a stunning black panther named Tiptoe would have such an impact on our lives and steal our hearts. The joy and laughter you brought us cannot be measured. Many are waiting to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge, so say hello from us all.

Rest easy Tippy Toes, our beautiful, sweet, gentle, cuddly boy. You will always be in our hearts, precious Tiptoe.

Thanks to our amazing staff who loved Tiptoe dearly and cared for him every day. Thanks to the veterinary staff at Vista Vet and many others over the years. Thanks to our volunteers who enriched Tiptoe’s life and whose necks were always clean! And thanks to his sponsors, Cherie B, Diana J, Sara and Jesse, and Debbie P who loved him from afar.

Tiptoe had 4 Sponsors

Cherie Batsel

Diana Johnson

Sara and Jesse Cover

Debbie Patterson

In Memory of Jacky      3/26/2020 – 5/16/2024

Jacky’s Shadow Cats story started in Irvine, California with her three siblings. Jacky’s sweet little family was found on the streets and rescued, but when all the cats wound up testing positive for feline leukemia, options seemed limited. Thankfully, a local rescue by the name A Pawsitive Approach reached out to help. They secured a spot for each sibling at Shadow Cats, and even went the extra mile (or 1,300) and drove them to us!

Jacky, Frankie, Gracie, and Sergeant nestled into Shadow Cats with ease. During their time in isolation, they could often be seen in the cutest of snuggle piles, arriving as the best of friends. These sweet cali-kittens melted everyone’s hearts. When it was time for them to join the ranks of the rowdy Cookie’s Place kids, they all fit right in. They played hard and enjoyed the sunny catios, not quite as temperate as the California weather they’d grown spoiled on but far brighter and warmer. They enjoyed several years together as siblings before leukemia set its sights on the siblings. Eventually, it was just sweet Jacky of the Cali-Cats.

Jacky, thankfully, looked at the world through a lens of whimsy and curiosity. Though she lost her siblings, she never stopped going. Jacky enjoyed running on the wheel in Cookie’s, making the best biscuits, and though she could be a bit of a wallflower, her mischievous side peeked through and blossomed with time. Jacky learned that she absolutely loved water, and she would do anything to make it appear, even to the detriment of the building she planned to flood! She loved to turn the faucets on, and more than once we left and returned to Jacky’s own reenactment of Noah’s Ark. Thankfully, no damage had truly been done…and the cats do enjoy a splash pad, it seems!

Jacky was incredibly smart, a little kitty scientist if you will, and always had some little experiment to attempt. Our inquisitive girl always seemed to have her head tilted in a question and always seemed to be interested in greeting our newbies and learning their quirks. Nobody looked at the world with brighter eyes than Jacky, and we grew to love all her silly antics and habits. Growing to love her as deeply as we have made it even harder to say goodbye when leukemia suddenly set its sights on our girl.

In sudden respiratory stress and wobbling, we knew something was wrong. So many of our leukemia kids are fine until they aren’t, and our sweet Jacky was unfortunately no exception. She was rushed to the emergency clinic, where extensive diagnostics were performed. All signs pointed to a progression of leukemia, her red blood cells depleted, and cancer. Our sweet girl looked up at us with those big, curious eyes one last time and told us it was time. Our little scientist had a lot to go teach our dearly departed Shadow Cats across the rainbow bridge.

Held in loving arms and purring from the attention, Jacky passed peacefully, knowing more love and wonderment than a street cat from Irvine ever thought they could know. Tears fell around her, our hearts shocked and shattered, but feeling grateful for the chance to know such a special little soul. We love you, Jacky. We always will.

Thank you to our veterinary team for Jacky’s exceptional care, and for the staff that oversaw her needs daily and always showered her with immense love, affection, and chances for mischief. Thank you to the volunteers who always made sure our sweet angel had a lap to warm. Thank you to her sponsors, Cyndi H and Tim P. Our lives were made a little brighter having known Jacky, and for that, we’re forever grateful.

Jacky had 2 Sponsors

Cyndi Hunsberger

Tim Perez

In Memory of Lenny      11/12/2013 – 5/8/2024

In March of 2023, Shadow Cats was contacted by Rainbow Journey Sanctuary, a sanctuary for cats with a special focus on hospice care. An unfortunate event unfolded at the sanctuary, leaving the future of their many cats in uncertain territory. They reached out to Shadow Cats, and we relocated three of their sweet angels into our care.

Lenny was one of those sweet angels, coming to us with an eye ulcer, severe stomatitis, a heart condition, allergies requiring a full lion cut and medication to control, and a feline leukemia diagnosis. We had our hands full with this boy! We immediately doubled down on his care, treating all conditions, and even taking him in to remove the remaining teeth in his mouth to address the stomatitis. A feeding tube was placed to ensure he had proper nutrients after his surgery, and Lenny was off! He made an incredible recovery that bolstered us and gave us hope for his lasting comfort through the rest of his life.

Though Lenny came to us with a drooly mouth and a mean mug, we quickly learned that this boy was nothing short of an angel. Despite his looks, Lenny was incredibly affectionate, eager to lean into pets, and about as soft and squishy as a teddy bear on the inside, still a bit scruffy on the outside! And despite his many medical conditions, Lenny didn’t seem to have a single complaint, he was just happy to be social, eat a good meal, and have a soft spot to land. Everyone fell in love with this sweet boy, eager to usher him into his golden years with warmth, attentiveness, and softness.

Lenny became used to life at Shadow Cats quickly. He enjoyed slinking out onto the catio to bask in the sunbeams overlooking the memorial garden. He loved to curl up on a lap and rub his face on your face…even if that did get a bit messy at times! This boy just seemed to be grateful for any and all love sent his way, and our staff and volunteers had plenty to spare. It came as a shock to us all when, despite all of our efforts and Lenny’s incredible resilience, Lenny’s stomatitis turned out to be oral cancer. The tissue had been tested as a precaution, and none of us expected it to come back positive.

Lenny, our sweet angel who healed despite all odds, had one thing he couldn’t come back from, one thing that we couldn’t fix. We decided we would give him whatever time we could, for however long we could, to let him enjoy sunbeams, laps, pets, and kisses, and that we’d support him and cherish him until the end of his journey. He knew nothing but love. Unfortunately, his cancer progressed quickly, and we had to make the tough decision to let him go.

Held in loving arms, surrounded by those who nursed him to comfort, who aided him through his growth, who showed him love and tenderness irreplaceable, Lenny passed on. Our time with him was short, but we have no doubts in our hearts that we made Lenny’s last few weeks count. Sometimes, the impacts we make on others aren’t as long-lasting as we plan for, but it doesn’t diminish their significance. We ached for more time with him, but some comfort can be found in knowing that sweet boy sunbathed, that he ate every meal joyfully and gratefully, and that every pet, every scritch, every kiss laid upon his head, mattered. We loved Lenny hard enough for a thousand lifetimes, and he takes that love with him as he crosses the rainbow bridge to join the shadow cats rolling in the grass, sniffing flowers, chasing butterflies, and shooting stars.

Once a Shadow Cat…always a Shadow Cat.

Thank you to Vista Vet, who provided him with fantastic, thorough, and intensive care during Lenny’s time at Shadow Cats. Thank you to the staff who nursed and cared for him, making him a new man who could truly enjoy the fruits of their labor. Thank you to the volunteers who loved him and spent special time with him during his short stay at Shadow Cats. And thank you to his sponsor, Rebecca R.

We love you, Lenny. We always will.

 

In Memory of Saffron      6/28/2023 – 5/7/2024

Despite our sweet ginger Saffron’s sunny disposition, he did not have the easiest start to his life. He and his sister Marigold were rescued by Friends of Rescue Animals, which supports the Garland Animal Shelter. They were rescued from a situation where, though they were dearly loved, they could not be provided for in the way that they needed developmentally. Both Saffron and Marigold were stunted from lack of proper nutrients in their diet, and Saffron actually had to have one of his eyes removed. During this time, they discovered that on top of their other issues, these sweet kitties had feline leukemia!

Naturally, that’s where Shadow Cats came in. They reached out to us, asking if we had space for these darling angels, and we took them both in December of 2023. While Marigold was much more reserved (and still is!), Saffron walked into Cookie’s Place after his isolation period like he knew he belonged. He could often be spotted with a little plush Christmas light cat toy hanging from his mouth, which we couldn’t take from him even well after December passed. Being the caring and sensitive brother he was, Saffron would sometimes bring said toy to wherever his sister happened to be, intent on coaxing her from hiding.

Saffron easily, warmly, wholly, and entirely melted our hearts.

We were quick to discover just how easygoing this sweet boy could be, and despite being a kitten, his energy was mellow. While his sister would run through Cookie’s Place and do laps, Saffron didn’t always feel the need to chase after her…but he loved to spectate, his head moving back and forth, following the trail of mischief with his eye. He never did let his lack of a working set stop him from doing anything. Robust in spirit, ardently affectionate, and just happy to be among friends, Saffron lived every day to its fullest potential.

Saffron made the best of friends in Cookie’s Place over time, always happy to frolic and play with his best friend Penelope, who he grew up with at the sanctuary. Pawl, ever curious about the sweet kittens, also became partial to Saffron. If you looked through the workroom doors in Harmony and through the window to Cookie’s Place, sometimes you could see a streak of black and orange running past. It never fails to bring a smile to our faces.

And oh, Saffron loved to be held! This noodle boy was happy to be on the receiving end of attention and never turned down a comfy shoulder. Lauren, one of our assistants, happened to be among his favorite. He even tolerated a cat sling a time or two, always ready to set forth on a new adventure in good and welcome company. Saffron taught us all to approach life with zeal and a grateful, open heart despite the challenges we face day to day. Saffron, eager to lean into our touch, content to be soft and untouched by the harshness of the world, taught us to let nothing harden our edges.

Saffron was a true angel on earth, and our hearts crumbled when it came time for him to gain his wings. He had struggled for an extended period of time with FeLV fevers, a common issue faced by cats with feline leukemia, but despite intensive and extensive veterinary care, his body couldn’t fight any longer, his organs infiltrated by the virus we know all too well. With his sweet, gentle eye, Saffron told us he was tired and ready to be reunited with Penelope.

Saffron left us just as he walked in this world: surrounded by love, loving hands, loving memories, tears born of the deepest love, a love that will not cease, a love to be remembered. Our angel, with cotton candy fur of the sweetest scent and softness, left us with the gifts and comforts his presence granted us, the lessons he taught. We will forever be grateful to Saffron, and we will never forget his perpetual wink, his eager affection, his chubby little muzzle, the brave heart he led his life with while he had it.

We can all stand to be a little more like Saffron.

Thank you to Vista Vet and Heart of Texas for the incredible care our Ron received in his lifetime, and for the valiant efforts made to right the effects of this horrible virus. Thank you to the staff that loved and cared for him every day and diligently monitored him in sickness, to Lauren who held him on her shoulder with a smile and a laugh. Thank you to the volunteers who grew to know and love all this sweet boy’s quirks and many attributes. Thank you to his sponsors, Hillary R. and Steven and Joan P. Thank you to all who looked at this sweet boy’s face and appreciated his natural tenderness and brave spirit.

We love you, Ron. We always will.

Saffron had 2 Sponsors

Hillary Rodgers

Steven and Joan Paine