In Memory of Donnie 8/8/2014 – 1/2/2021
This memorial is a heartbreaking one to write. The tears are flowing freely and words cannot express the larger than life presence of this incredible cat.
One of a kind! The most spectacular cat! Some cats are really special and that was Donnie. He was a rock star, just known to everyone as “The Don” or ”The Don Father”
He began his life as an outdoor tomcat and all the risks that go with that. He was hit by a car twice and shot with pellets – one of the pellets lodged on his spine and created urinary issues and blockages, but with surgeries and veterinary care, and special diet Donnie lived a safe, very much loved and carefully monitored life.
Over the past couple of weeks, Donnie had not felt well. Blood tests were done and, to our shock, Donnie tested positive for feline leukemia. Donnie has never been in contact with any feline leukemia cats at the sanctuary. He has always lived a life as king in the house part of the old sanctuary. We learn more and more over the years about this disease. Donnie would have been exposed somewhere in his young life and it became active for whatever reason in recent weeks. A very sudden downtown, our big boy had severe breathing difficulties and the most precious gift we can give is a gentle passing. Cradled in loving arms, with sweet whispers and singing in his ears, Donnie crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We told him he would have stories to tell that would be amazing. We are sure he is sitting in a chair at the Bridge, all relaxed, and reliving all his stories of his life here.
The memories that “The Don’ leave with us will be cherished forever. This special boy was full of personality and so good looking – the whiskers and the fluffiness, oh my goodness, so stunning! You could prop him up in any chair and he would just watch the world go by. One of the smartest cats, he seemed to always try and figure out how to use those opposable thumbs. He lived the life of a king at the old sanctuary. When time came to move to the new sanctuary last June, Donnie lasted a day! He just said no, I want to go back, that larger than life personality on display! So he returned to the old sanctuary, to be fostered by the Smiths, where he ruled and was showered with love every day. He and his besties Smitty and Wyatt (Sheila and Roy’s personal cats) spent their days exploring, snoozing in the sun, and generally just being besties, and we think maybe getting into a little bit of trouble! They were a dynamic threesome but Donnie was always the boss!
To be able to fully put into words how much Donnie will be missed is hard. The only word that comes to mind is immeasurable – the hole left in our hearts is huge.
There will never be another like you, Donnie. We will never forget your presence in this world. You were loved by so many – the nannies and volunteers loved you so much, you even had a brushing schedule. You had the following of a rock star on social media. You propped up in a chair, surveying your kingdom, is the picture that will always be in our hearts. You made us smile and laugh at your antics.
Rest easy, Donnie, our stunning, floofy, big whiskered precious boy, loved by many near and far.
Thanks to our staff, his sponsors and the hundreds of people that loved “The Don”. Miss you already, precious boy…
Donnie had 5 Sponsors
Dawn Leighton
Stephanie and Karl Redlin
Julia Dunn
“He looks like Pria, who was a doppelgänger for our cat CC.”
-Marisa and Lou Rossi
Sherri Biggs