In Memory of Newt 6/10/2022 – 3/6/2024
Newt’s life started under the deck of a family home with a colony of ferals and a whole lot of kittens! The family reached out to our friends, Ferallife Guards, and they got to work on trapping and neutering those in the colony. In foster care, Newt met another kitten named Mouse. They immediately became attached at the hip and were so close that they were going to be potentially adopted out as a bonded pair. Unfortunately, Mouse was diagnosed with feline leukemia and taken into the care of Shadow Cats. As fate would have it, Newt tested positive for feline leukemia too, and followed in Mouse’s footsteps right into Shadow Cats Sanctuary!
Mouse and Newt were quite the pair, with Newt being far shyer, meeker, and more mouselike than his friend, even with her namesake. Mouse inspired confidence in Newt eventually though, and Newt came out of his shell and fell into the business of Cookie’s Place with relative ease. Newt had more difficulty with his feline leukemia, and when he fell into a sick spell, Mouse was there to comfort him. It took everyone by surprise when leukemia took Mouse first.
We wondered how Newt would adjust without the presence of his dear friend, but the cats in Cookie’s Place seemed to rally around him through the loss. Bob and Pixie took to him like he was their son, and “Mom and Dad” were often seen grooming him at the same time while Newt napped in his usual silly positions. Ferris took to Newt too, and the pair enjoyed many a good nap on cat trees and while luxuriating in their kitty condos. Newt would lay his head on Ferris’ tummy sometimes like the softest, fluffiest of pillows, and Ferris slept peacefully with his paws up and at his chest. They became the best of friends.
Over time, any cuddly cat in Cookie’s Place quickly realized that Newt was the best cuddler there ever was. He was seen stretching in all sorts of odd positions, usually on his back, with his legs going in every silly direction and his cute little toebeans curled, always accompanied by another cat. The usual snuggle partners for Newt were Ferris, Juniper, Amy, Bob, and Pixie. It was always the sweetest sight to behold, and our camera rolls are filled with many an adorable photo op.
Newt overcame a lot, and despite every trial and tribulation he faced, he remained gentle, sweet, friendly, and curious. There never was a purer soul than our Newt, and his approach to his life despite its difficulties can be a lesson to us all. At Shadow Cats, Newt was given another chance, and he took that in stride. He spent his days in the warmth of the sun, sleeping in the softest of beds.
Ever the curious boy, when our staff would lay down a towel to clean water bowls in Cookie’s, Newt was first to jump on the counter, fascinated by the water. When Pixie decided her 2024 resolution was going to include a workout regimen on the cat wheel, Newt would patiently wait his turn for a run. He was the perfect gentleman, loved people, loved cats, loved a good nap, and seemed perpetually fascinated by the littlest of things. Newt had a genuine appreciation for life. He had a silly side, and some part of him knew that sleepy face of his looked adorable in pictures because he always seemed curious when someone would bring a camera around.
Unfortunately, even a zeal for life cannot shield one from passing, and the time came when Newt had to leave us. We rushed him to the emergency clinic, and had him transferred to a specialist, but our sweet boy’s heart was quickly failing. We could not bring him back from this, and we knew what we had to do to end his suffering. Newt was held in the arms of his most beloved people, surrounded by so many who had been touched by his kind soul, as he so peacefully left us. He was ready—ready to be reunited with Mouse, ready to nap on fluffy clouds, to cuddle with the best of them across the rainbow bridge, to run free and unhindered by sickness.
Thank you to Newt’s sponsors, Jacki Q and Molly M, to the wonderful people who brought him to Shadow Cats, to the staff who vigilantly watched over him and cared for him, to the volunteers who adored him, and to all who are touched by Newt’s story and his beautiful life. We’ll never forget his tender presence, his sweet face, his warm and always welcome company. We love you, Newt.
Newt had 2 Sponsors
Jacki Quaile
Molly O’Neill Moran