2016

In Memory of Delilah    08/27/02 – 10/24/16

Delilah came to us as an adult many years ago and while she never found her own adoptive home, she settled in well at Shadow Cats.  With all the black cats here, she distinguished herself with her single white whisker- not to mention she was one of the sweetest personalities in the Uptown area.  She welcomed many new residents at Shadow Cats over the years.  She occupied laps and enjoyed time with volunteers and staff.

However, the effects of her early years began to take their toll.  Her renal function began to deteriorate significantly last year and today she left us.

Delilah was surrounded by so much love as she passed peacefully today.  She was held and stroked and told how much she was loved.  She passed in complete peace.

Thank you to all that loved and cared about Delilah and all the cats here. Thank you to her sponsors, her kitty nannies and all the volunteers that have loved her  and all the cats over the years.  You each make their lives better.  Delilah is at peace now, no pain, no discomfort.  Rest easy precious girl- only love and light.

Delilah had 4 Sponsors

Diana Johnson

Steve & Annette Crane

“I chose Delilah because she has the same look as my Jesse who died Sept. 18, 2014.  I know the sex is different but Jesse had that same attitude…”
-Renee Vorbach

Janice Hand

10/10/13 – 7/1/2016

Lilly came to Shadow Cats in 2013 along with her baby Louie. Louie succumbed to the leukemia virus quickly and Lilly mourned his passing. Lilly, named after the amazing Lilly Gato, gradually started to come out of her depression and began to live life again. She did however, let us quickly know that she wanted to have fewer roommates. She moved into the sunroom/bedroom area with Venus and Dakota and quickly acclimated to life as a house cat. Each night she slept curled up at the foot of the bed and expressed her love of life with deep purrs.

For several years she and Venus chased and played and gave life their very best while Dakota was comforted by their presence. Lilly was always diminutive in size but never in spirit. She dominated life with her sweetness.

Lilly left us today surrounded by all the love we could give her as she began her final passage.

Lilly had four sponsors

Barbara Bytnar

“Hoping you will live a long and fun life Lilly at Shadow Cats so you can take care of and play with your baby Louie! Looking forward to watching you!”
-Loren Allen

Robin Katchko

Kathy Gulley

1/16/14 – 7/1/2016

Little Jimmy came to us several years – a very sweet and gentle cat. He was initially overwhelmed by the sudden advent of 25 new roomies but he quickly acclimated. He always enjoyed the security of a cozy cubby where he could have a spot all to himself and he loved the outdoor porch that looks out on the creek running right behind the sanctuary. He could hang out in a sunbeam, explore lots of perches all over the walls, and keep an eye on the birds, squirrels, lizards, bugs, and whatever else happened to be going on in the garden. Always ready for a pet, this sweet boy had come a long way from his risky beginnings.

Little Jimmy fought the good fight. He tried very hard to overcome this final battle but the leukemia virus would not be denied. He passed peacefully today surrounded by loving hands and loving hearts. We will never forget you passed this way sweet one.

Little Jimmy had four sponsors

Christi Clark

Julie Ferguson

Chris Sanders

Amy Glass

10/26/08 – 7/7/16

When any cat passes at Shadow Cats it’s usually anticipated, and while we grieve, we are not surprised. But when it’s a young, healthy cat that has no obvious incapacitating issues, we are in shock and devastated and committed to finding the cause.

This morning Marley was in distress and his breathing became labored. We rushed him to the hospital where he collapsed and quickly passed. Subsequently, Dr. Smith found him to have heart issues related to cardiomyopathy. We are grieving hard for this vibrant boy.

We never know how long our cats are going to be with us and we certainly expected to have many more years with Marley. He was rescued from the Austin Animal Center before it was No Kill and lived in Cookie’s for many years. He was the first “Miracle Cat”. After that, he moved into the Downtown area where he happily lived with all of his friends. He remained negative for leukemia until the end.

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of this wonderful soul. He left too soon and our only solace is knowing that without Shadow Cats his life would have ended eight years ago in a county shelter. That was not the case. He lived a full and rewarding life, had many friends- feline and human- enjoyed a few laps and spent a lot of time living his best life. Our hearts are full knowing this. We are grateful to all those who sponsored him and loved him from afar and to the volunteers that spent time with him each day. You made his life so much better.

Rest easy Marley- you were special.

Marley had five sponsors

“In memory of Doris Moon & Mary Hargett”
-Ann & Dave Hargett

Crystal Ferguson

“In Memory of Merry – paying it forward.”
-Pat Heltke

Leah Vulic

Sandra Amezquita

11/11/14 – 7/9/16

“The good die young” seems to be true all too often. Today we said goodbye to one of the most gentle of cats, Bogart. Everyone who met him, from his initial rescuers and from the Comanche shelter to his life here at Shadow Cats, always commented on his almost Zen quality and his mellow personality. Bogie got along with everyone and the cats all admired his tremendous tuxedo markings. We always told him the others had Tuxie Envy. :)

Bogart began to decline last week, and despite a few days at the veterinary clinic and supportive measures, he continued to worsen. Today the ravages of leukemia took their final toll and Bogart passed peacefully surrounded by loving hands and hearts.

We are reminded with each cat that passes, that while our hearts are heavy, the time they had to bask in a morning sunbeam, the time they had to chirp at a squirrel, or the time they had to languish on a kitty shelf high above and with a full belly, is all time they would not have had without the care and support of our kitty nannies, sponsors, volunteers and friends.

Bogart was well loved and he lived a full life. Rest east, you magnificent Tuxie boy.

Bogart had five sponsors

Leanne Wells

Carmen Tym

Fred Peterson

Laurie Heupel and Stevie Wonder Two‐Two

Katherine Beckes

6/8/06 – 7/25/16

Midnight originally came from our church colony back in 2006. He and his buddy Sammy were adopted into a home where they lived for six years. Earlier this year, both cats were returned to Shadow Cats where they slowly integrated and became favorites of all the volunteers and staff. Midnight, big and fluffy, became a sweet fixture on the cat decks, soaking in the sun or hanging out in the workroom with the nannies. Although he was very shy, he seemed to know he was safe and well loved.

Midnight enjoyed only a few months at Shadow Cats before he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sadly, today we had to let this beautiful soul cross over. Midnight, precious boy, left us surrounded by loving hearts. You were loved beyond expression. We are all so grateful for the time we had with you. Rest easy sweet boy. Thank you to all the volunteers, staff and sponsors who loved him and made Midnight’s life so much better.

Midnight had three sponsors

“I have a soft spot in my heart for black kitties. I came here to sponsor another kitty who has tons of sponsors, so when I saw that Midnight had none I decided he would be my Shadow Cats kitty.”
-Ann ONeal

Susan Lederle

Lisa Salazar

5/25/05 – 8/16/16

Chappie found her way to Shadow Cats in 2005. She started life as a community cat but soon realized how much she enjoyed a full belly, warm beds and a cush life. There was no turning back after that! Chappie enjoyed being petted and having her ears scritched and while she never made the adoption lotto, she enjoyed many years – eleven – living her best life high on the ramps overlooking Brushy Creek or basking in sun beams. She enjoyed the company of the other cats and the laps of many volunteers and kitty nannies – as long as it was her idea. Chappie lived a good life.

Several months ago she was diagnosed with an inoperable mass in her right lung, and today her symptoms became more than her little body could manage. She passed peacefully, surrounded by loving hearts. She was dearly loved and we thank all who made her life better. Special thank you to her sponsors who loved her from afar and to the volunteers and kitty nannies who cared for her each day.

Rest in peace sweet girl. You blessed us all with your feisty spirit and your sweet nature.

Chappie had four sponsors

Christine Trujillo

Carol Calvery

“This little girl reminds me of my tuxie, Mattie. So shy at first but now a sweetheart that loves to be loved.”
-Marilyn Boerger

Stacy Looney

5/2/10 – 9/5/16

It is with greatest sadness we tell you that our Benny boy has passed. He has been struggling with sudden onset idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia and today his battle quietly ended.

Ben came to us from out of state as a cat with severe behavioral issues from his tomcat days outdoors. When he was brought into a home by his rescuer he continued his wild ways, but at Shadow Cats he seemed to blossom. Sleek and beautiful, he looked every bit a mini black panther lounging on the upper ramps overlooking Brushy Creek or settled into a cushiony bed in the Downtown area of the Sanctuary. While he was still an alpha cat, he seemed to have found his niche at Shadow Cats and lived a full and loving life here. We are heartbroken to have lost this young and vibrant boy, and can take solace only in the fact that he lived a great and full life during his time here. He raced across ramps, chased a few kitties, and lived life on his own terms. When he wanted to be sweet, there was none sweeter and when he’d had enough, well, he’d had enough. He was a favorite of the volunteers and staff and his life was blessed by his sponsors who loved him from afar.

Rest easy, Benners. We loved you all your days.

Ben had five sponsors

Sue Bai

Anonymous

Pat & Wesley Brown

Leah Vulic

Cyndi Hunsberger

5/21/06 – 9/9/16

Our sweet Brianna has passed. Several years ago Shadow Cats took in Brianna and thirteen other cats from an abuse and hoarding situation. Brianna suffered terribly there and her reticence followed her throughout her life. However, at Shadow Cats, she found a measure of peace, and we think she often let her guard down and relaxed. She lived in the safety of the Uptown area where it was quieter and she could be watched over. She allowed petting and once you got your hands on her, she seemed to even enjoy lap time. Each week, Lois brushed her thoroughly and we like to think she enjoyed that too. She loved her chicken treats.

Brianna was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and chronic renal failure several years ago. She received the I-131 treatment and that helped her a lot. She also managed with limited renal function for a long time. Today however, the toll on her little body reached a point where we had to make the decision to let her go. Surrounded by loving hearts and hands, she has gently passed.

Thank you to her sponsors Mimi and Matt Baker, April Stearns, Deb Selbert and Linda Crossman for your long term support. Thank you to all the volunteers and kitty nannies who loved and cared for her each day and thank you to all the extended family of friends who follow us here

Brianna runs free now. She feels nothing but the love of the universe tonight. Rest in peace sweet girl. You suffered immeasurably, but once you started your new life at Shadow Cats you were also loved beyond measure.

Brianna had four sponsors

“Brianna reminds me of my sweet Nikki (aka Snickerdoodle) who passed 3-1/2 years ago. Like all animal lovers I live for the day they all have a furrever home filled with the love they deserve. I will support beautiful kitties like Brianna and am so grateful for the wonderful folks at Shadow Cats.”
-April Stearns

“I am sponsoring Brianna in honor of our cat Wendy, who we lost a year ago. She was very special to my son Kevin, who had her since he was a toddler. Wendy didn’t love people very much, but she knew she was Kevin’s baby and always sought him out and loved on him.”
-Linda Crossman

“In memory of Kate, and in honor of our Little Bit who also is less than robustly healthy.”
-Mimi & Matt Baker

“In honor of all the cats I have known like Brianna, who are happy knowing they have a loving home and don’t mind not being a lap cat. Brianna has friends near and far.”
-Deb Selbert

In Memory of Rocky 7/7/05 – 9/11/16

Rocky came to Shadow Cats many years ago from the streets of Austin. Injured and unable to care for himself, he was nursed back to health, but could not be returned back to his original colony because of residual injuries. He was later adopted but returned due to behavioral issues, despite every attempt by his guardians to make it work. Throughout it all, Shadow Cats remained committed to this little black cat and he came back to live his very best life amid the ramps, the high nooks and the safety of the sanctuary.

Rocky remained shy throughout his life. He enjoyed watching the activity, the volunteers and staff and knowing this was home and while you could approach, pet and talk to him, he was happiest on a ramp surveying his domain.
He enjoyed watching the activity, the volunteers and staff from above. His sweetness enabled him to get along with all the cats and he enjoyed their company. This was a nameless little black street kitten a decade ago, with no good prospects, yet because of the loving hands of rescuers, adopters, sponsors, volunteers and nannies at the sanctuary, this little kitten grew up to live his best life and we are certain he had many stories to tell over the years. Rocky, you were some kind o’ cat.

Rocky developed inoperable tumors in his abdomen and today his journey came to a peaceful end. Surrounded by loving hands and hearts, he gently crossed over.

Thank you to our wonderful nannies who watch over their charges every day, to the volunteers who give them extra love and TLC and to his sponsors who loved him from the beginning. Rest in peace Rocky. You are but a breath away.

Rocky had four sponsors

Leslie Lewis & Ray Sissons

Linda & Amos Harrison

Amy Juried

Melissa Zoss