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