In Memory of Victoria 7/4/2009 – 8/9/2023
Our beautiful girl Victoria gained her wings today. She was the most gentle loving and sweet kitty. Victoria was 14 years old.
We hope that in the 5 years that Victoria has been with us at Shadow Cats, she has forgotten all the previous years. Victoria lived in a cage for the first 9 years of her life, barely able to move around. We do not know why, but we are forever thankful we found her. When she came to us we all shed a few tears at the condition of this beautiful girl. She was not able to stand for any length of time, her fur was matted and she was so overweight she could only take a few steps. She was very depressed and sat with her head down. With daily monitoring and excellent veterinary care, Victoria gradually came out of her shell, but she had many medical issues that stayed with her all her life.
Over the coming months, Victoria found that humans were her friends and she started to accept other kitties being around her too. It was hard for her because she could not move easily due to confinement for so many years. Her eyesight was greatly impaired and she was almost deaf.
After all she had been through, how was Victoria so sweet? She was the absolute sweetest kitty you ever met. We felt she was happy to be with us and we were so thankful she found our way to us.
Everything that could be done to make her life the best it could possibly be, was done. Our staff was amazing with her; she had her daily walks and massages, the best medical care every day, and was monitored constantly by our veterinarians. She had acupuncture on a regular basis to help with arthritis and lots of treatments to continue to make her feel good. She could be quirky at times, making us smile. One of those quirky things was that she would always sit with her front paws crossed – it was so cute!
You know our love of nicknames. Vicky T as she was known by all the staff at the sanctuary is what Shadow Cats is all about. Our beautiful girl could easily have fallen through the cracks and been forgotten. All of us would not have been able to share in the life of a beautiful soul, this special girl, if that were the case. This is our mission, here for those that need us the most.
Vicky T stole hearts, all of our hearts. Everyone that met her was smitten by her gentle ways and her sweet demeanor. She became quite svelte and learned to walk steadily again for short periods and enjoyed her time on the catios. She made lots of kitty buddies and would always love to be in a lap and enjoyed being brushed. Vicky T was living a good life surrounded by love every day. She was beautiful in every way.
Over the years with us, she has struggled with health issues. Recently Victoria was diagnosed with an inoperable aggressive tumor affecting her ear nose and throat. Our time with our precious girl was coming to an end. Vicky T had many visitors in her last days; our volunteers played the harp one day, and the flute another day. The room was filled with love as Victoria fell asleep ever so gently in her favorite bed, her paws held in the hands of her carers. So many kisses sent her on her way. She left us knowing she was loved deeply and her life mattered so much to so many.
Words cannot express how much we will miss our precious girl. She was a shining light. We will cherish the beautiful memories of our sweetest girl, our brave and courageous girl, and she will live in our hearts forever. The corner of the Oasis room where her favorite bed was will always be known as Victoria’s corner. Every day she was with us was a gift to us. Every day with us was special for Victoria too – it was a day filled with freedom, safety, love, and care. Rest easy, sweet beautiful Vicky T, you were loved to the moon and back, sweetheart.
Our eternal thanks to her rescuer Dawn Burt. Thanks to our staff that looked after Victoria every day with such love and care and gave her the best life. Thanks to Dr. Murdock, Dr. Murphy, Dr. Birdwell, and all at Liberty Hill Veterinary Wellness who cared for Victoria over the years. Thanks to our volunteers who gave so much love to Victoria. And so many thanks to her sponsors and all who loved her from afar.
Victoria had 8 Sponsors
Diana King
Tamara and John Thompson
Neena Reeve
Catherine Zirkle
Genie Baranoff
Nancy Henry
Margaret Koch
Kelly Perez