In Memory of Sterling 6/11/2009 – 10/20/2021
Sterling was trapped as a feral kitten and grew up in a home, but never did well with people. He’d been acting out more and more, and so in early 2011, he moved to the sanctuary in the hope that he could become a little better adjusted to life with people. This fluffy boy was determined to show us how much he disliked being around us – he wanted nothing to do with us. One thing we are at Shadow Cats is patient, we have lots of patience! We have seen this over and over again, and we always hope that with time and an abundance of love and care, they will come to enjoy attention and affection from us humans.
Not Sterling! He wanted to prove us wrong; he was never going to come around! 😊 He had that look in his eye that dared us to come too close! At the old sanctuary, Sterling had lots of hiding places and was not seen very much during the day, except when it was feeding time. He was always first to be out for food, and would you believe the occasional rub against our legs. We pretended we really didn’t feel it, hoping that not making a fuss of the attention he was giving us would make him feel more comfortable. It did! We began to see him out and about, strolling around and even hanging out around people. We were even allowed a couple of pets before that paw came up to give us a quick swipe, and we all became nimble at avoiding that.
Whatever Sterling decided to do, we told him when he first came to us, we would always take care of him, and we would do our best to help him live the best life he deserves, on his terms. We loved this feisty boy so much. Sterling was such a presence, the most handsome kitty, a beautiful long-haired coat, and a long floofy tail.
Age mellowed Sterling, and our patience, love, and care paid off. When we moved to the new sanctuary there was a noticeable change, and our feisty boy started to become calmer. The peaceful environment suited him. Oh, he could still give a good swipe when he wanted, but the incredible joy we felt when we witnessed Sterling in one of our vet techs laps brought tears. The previous years of hoping this would happen just melted into that moment.
Over the past couple of months, Sterling has suffered from medical issues, and the past couple of days a very fast downward turn. With the best possible care we could give, we could not change the sad outcome today. Sterling crossed the Rainbow Bridge peacefully and ever so gently, surrounded by much love, gentle hands caressing him, sweet whispers in his ears. We told him he was loved by many and we were honored to have had the privilege of loving and caring for him. He will be forever in our hearts.
Rest easy, handsome Sterling. You were loved so much and we will miss you greatly.
Our thanks to his sponsors, all at Sam Bass Veterinary Wellness, and our amazing staff who cared for Sterling all the years he spent with us.
Sterling had 3 Sponsors
“We’re sponsoring Annie and Sterling as our Christmas gifts to each other. Yo and I and our ten children (cats – Smokey, Midnight, Kiki, Thursday, Zoe and Rocky) – (dogs – Lil’ Bit, Mendy, Lady Bug and Toby) wish all our extended family at Shadow Cats a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
-Gary and Yolanda McAninch
“I have always had a weakness for fluffy Tuxedo kitties, especially those who wear their hearts on their noses.”
-Pat DeWald
Paul and Dawn Lawson