In Memory of Patty 4/21/2024 – 8/4/2025
In April, we welcomed two special cats into our care.
They had been trapped, spayed…and there was some difficulty with the ‘return’ portion of TNR as they both tested positive for feline leukemia! The woman who trapped them was at a loss and kept them inside, searching for a positive outcome for the bonded pair.
Originally, we only accepted one into our care. We named her Pickle. She was quite shy, but with the goofiest little personality. We were informed at her drop-off, though, that she was incredibly bonded with another kitty. And who are we to turn away a bonded pair? We welcome the second feline leukemia positive kitty into our care, and we named her Patty…because Pickle & Patty just go together, like a burger!
Their dynamic became clear immediately. Patty was Pickles’ protector. She would pile on top of Pickle and fix us with a menacing glare, warning us that she was, indeed, willing to resort to a WWE smackdown to protect her friend. Doing anything at all with Pickle meant first dealing with Patty, which involved feral gloves and a prayer to the god of your choosing. Kearstin, our Sanctuary Manager, became an expert in the niche art of Patty-handling.
We decided that Cookie’s West would be the best place for them, and cushioned our towering condos with lots of beds and hidey holes to give them plenty of cover. Much like our ferals in Wild Side, we knew we needed to give the pair ample space to exist without human interference. We knew they may never become lap cats, but that was okay. We would love them from afar, accepting them exactly as they are.
What we DIDN’T expect was the nightlife! As soon as people began filtering out of the sanctuary for the evening, the feral felvies would come out to play. Pickle in particular amused us with her silliness and zoomies, but even Patty would come out and prowl like a panther under the cover of darkness. It warmed our hearts to see them enjoying life, even if they felt like we had to be out of the picture to do it.
Patty and Pickle even cozied up to Mystique, another feline leukemia positive kitty who wasn’t quite matched to their level of ferality…but certainly emulated the sort of catitude Patty seemed to vibe with. She’d earned her spot in their orbit. We enjoyed spectating, and began to breathe a sigh of relief that over time they’d settle into their home here.
Unfortunately, Patty developed severe eye ulcers. Our staff was very creative with treating her, and did their absolute best to give her the best chance to heal possible. Patty’s ulcers began to heal, and we were excited to see her get back to her late night antics with Pickle.
But it seemed feline leukemia already had its sights set on our girl, and tragedy struck. Patty had a sudden neurologic event. She was rushed to the emergency vet, where it became apparent that she’d suffered a clot, and there was no coming back from this. In the arms of Kearstin, who had learned how to handle Patty through dedication, patience, and love, Patty peacefully passed away.
It is never easy to lose one of our felvies. It is even more difficult to lose them when we feel we’ve only been with them for a sliver of time in the expanse of their lives. But through our sorrow, we’ve found one profound comfort: in her last months, she got to snuggle up with her very best friend. It was Patty’s protectiveness and courage that gave Pickle the security she needed to truly blossom. Patty left her pawprint on Pickle’s heart, and though Patty is no longer with us, the fibers of their friendship are wound tightly, everlasting. The security and love Patty provided Pickle will carry on for a lifetime.
Now, Patty stands at life’s crossing. The soft amber rays of an eternal sun illuminate a path just for her, through the greenest grass and a plume of wildflowers. Patty is absolved of illness, of pain or stress. Now exists only the softest life, speckled within it, her heart’s every little desire. She bounds through the afterlife with the same spirited way she held in life. We just know Patty is up there watching Pickles’ overnight zoomies with a warmth in her secret softie heart. She’ll check in at the rainbow bridge every now and again, waiting for the day her best friend joins her.
Thank you to Patty’s amazing sponsor, Michelle A. Thank you to the volunteers who loved this beauty from afar and admired those gorgeous green eyes. Thank you to the staff who, despite Patty’s feisty personality, put their all into treating her through sickness and knew their love would sometimes be met with a growl and glare but freely gave it anyway. Thank you to Vista Vet who gave her amazing medical care during her time at Shadow Cats. Thank you to anyone who thought Pickle’s security blanket looked awfully cute and cuddly.
We love you, Patty. We always will.
Patty had 1 Sponsor
Michelle A