In Memory of Pyewacket 8/27/2006 – 10/5/2022
Over 15 years ago this little grey and white girl showed up at a managed colony here in Round Rock. We will never know how she got to the colony and what her story was before we knew her. She had no ear tip, so the colony’s caretakers knew what had to be done. The traps were set and this petite girl was off to her “spa day”. Sterilized and vaccinated, she was returned to this relatively safe environment to live her life as she wanted to. She was given the name of Pyewacket. We would catch a glimpse of her peeking out behind a bush; she was happy when we were observing her from afar and did not really want the company of humans…or so we thought…
Well, a few years back we were informed that the property was to be sold and the remaining cats had to be relocated. As some of these kitties were getting a little older, Pyewacket was about 10 at this time, we decided to bring them to Shadow Cats as we had cared for them all their lives until this moment.
Pyewacket and a couple of her friends, the only ones left in the colony, became residents of Shadow Cats. After all her tests were done at her intake exam she was found to have toxoplasmosis, so she received treatment and after a brief stay at the hospital joined her colony pals at her new home. At the ‘old’ sanctuary she had lots of hiding places and could watch us and feel a safe distance from us. We would talk to her all the time and tell her how pretty she was. She was so petite; she would look at us with big eyes. We didn’t know quite what she was thinking but we think maybe it was along the lines of “don’t come too close or else”! Even though she was a little bitty girl, we knew she could be a feisty one!
Lo and behold, the passage of time! Our little girl Pyewacket decided that she wanted to get to know us. We were not that scary after all and gradually she would come out of hiding and see us. We were thrilled! Was a lap and cuddles in our future with Pyewacket?
From our observations, she did not have too many close friends. She liked quiet and her own company and she could be a little feisty at times when her space was invaded. Then came the move to the new digs and as the layout is a little different we hoped Pyewacket would be happy in the Oasis part of the house. It’s a bit quieter and she would have loads of space to live the way she wanted.
Well, what do you know? Our pretty little petite girl became the social girl. She loved having soft beds, she had her special place on the sofa, she loved her strawberry bed, she loved being out on the catio, she would come when called, can you believe that? 😊 And of course, she had a nickname – it was PyePye. She was out and about, not hiding at all. And the very best bit of all… she realized that all she wanted was a lap to sit on. Pyewacket, the girl that lived in a field!
She could hardly wait for anyone to sit down before she would be there asking for a lap and pets. She had the cutest little strut and she would get to a lap as fast as she could! Some of us like to think that she did have her favorite people but really we think it was just a lap she wanted! She would purr so loud! This was so heartwarming to all of us.
Sometimes it’s patience, understanding, and so much love and just maybe even the ones who we never think will return our love, do, and it’s a wonderful thing to all of us in the rescue world.
At over 16 years old, PyePye has been declining over the past few months. Diagnosed with advanced renal failure, she has been one of the strongest kitties we have known with this disease. She has not missed the opportunity for a lap, she has been front and center at mealtimes and has kept on going. Over the past few days, we knew that the feistiness in PyePye was ebbing and she was tired. She told us her time was coming. Our petite sweet girl passed gently and ever so peacefully today cradled in her happy place, the lap of one of her caregivers. She was surrounded by love and light as she left this world. She heard sweet gentle whispers of love in her ears. We know the days of living in a field were forgotten and the days of living at the sanctuary in the past 6 years, with all the love and care and laps she ever wanted, are the memories she took with her. Farewell, our lap lover.
Thank you, PyePye, for the beautiful memories we will always have of you. We will always keep you in our hearts and smile as we remember all the times we sat with you in our lap listening to you purr so contentedly.
Rest easy, precious one, you were loved deeply by so many. Our tears flowed today. We have taken care of you all of your life, in and out of the sanctuary, and we will miss you a lot, sweetheart.
Our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful caring staff, our amazing volunteers, her sponsors, all at Sam Bass Wellness, and all who loved Pyewacket from afar.
Pyewacket had 3 Sponsors
Lisa Fisher
Laurie Heupel
Karen Gardner