In Memory of Stella 10/15/2013 – 1/8/2021
Another very special Shadow Cats kitty gained her angel wings today… our precious sweet girl Stella.
Stella was one lucky kitty. This stunning girl with the most gorgeous eyes was found on the side of a busy freeway in Houston by a Good Samaritan who saw her and stopped to help. She was motionless, crying, and unable to move. She had a very serious injury – a crushed pelvis. Just imagine the pain she was in, but we knew she was a fighter and her will to live was evident. She was taken to an area rescue group, Copper’s Cat Commune, who helped her, but the news got even worse – she tested positive for feline leukemia. Stella did have a microchip and her owner lived a few miles from where she was found, but when they learned the extent of her injury and her FeLV+ status, they declined to take her back, saying that they’d be unable to care for all her needs.
As it turned out, Shadow Cats had recently rescued another cat from the streets of Austin, one that had the potential to be adopted, so Copper’s Cat Commune and Shadow Cats worked together and we exchanged cats. They have Calvin and we have Stella. Truly a wonderful outcome for both cats and what rescue is all about. We truly believe that rescue has no bounds, sharing and caring to do the best for each kitty that passes through our doors.
Being here for “last chance” kitties with no other option is our mission at Shadow Cats. After veterinary care and extended cage rest, Stella fought and recovered and became the official Shadow Cats Office Cat, where she earned her keep as a wonderful lap warmer.
Stella was happy to live her life in the office as an only cat. We tried several times to introduce a buddy but our girl was not having it – she liked her own company and was very content. Always a feisty girl, and a little bit stubborn too, and oh so picky with her food! Some days there was a smorgasbord of food laid out for her! Although she did not get along with other cats, Stella loved people. Every day we were greeted with the best head bumps and gentle kisses. She was always pleased to see any humans! Being the office cat did have a few perks – she spent her time with Sheila and Jacki every day, like she had two extra Mom’s. Stella Bella was loved so much. We told her all the time she was the best. She spent her days in our laps, under warm blankets when it was chilly, laying across our desks and at times our keyboards. There may have been a strange message sent on occasion from one of our computers as she sprawled across the desk! She had her favorite beds and her very favorite cat tree. Stella loved to sit on the very top shelf surveying her office and watching the world out the window, and she also had her private catio to spend time in when she felt like being outside. She did enjoy watching the squirrels, the birds in the trees, sitting on her special stool in the sun, and the constant coming and going of the Amazon delivery van! Some might say a little spoiled, we say, not at all, she was living the life she deserved, her best life. She lived her life on her own terms and she was a happy girl. She ruled the Shadow Cats office and kept us on task every day!
Over the past months, Stella’s health had begun to decline – renal failure and the effects of leukemia. Our little miss feisty girl had become weak and tired, her fight had left her, and today she looked at us with those gorgeous eyes and told us she was ready, she had to go. She spent her last hours on the top of her favorite cat tree where she wanted to be. We held her very close, we surrounded her with love and told her what a beautiful kitty she was and how much we loved her, as she ever so gently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Many many tears flowed. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of this sweet girl. There will be a huge hole and the office will not be the same. The best head bumps and kisses we received every morning will be sorely missed. Stella Bella, so very special, loved beyond measure, rest easy, precious girl. Although your star has dimmed, your memory will remain ever strong with us,. You will never be forgotten; the special memories will be held close in our hearts forever. Thank you for the joy you brought us.
Soar and fly high, Stella Bella, on your angel wings.
We thank her sponsors, our wonderful staff, our volunteers, and all those who loved Stella and care about cats everywhere.
Stella had 3 Sponsors
Amy Juried
“In memory of all the kitties who are less fortunate”
-Jennifer Ebbeler
Mimi & Matt Baker