Power: April 25, 2000 - Aug. 22, 2005

Dear Meow Cat Rescue,

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the passing of our beloved kitty, Power. We adopted him from a MEOW foster home along with his sister in the summer of 2000. He was the most amazing, beautiful and affectionate member of our family until he was diagnosed with a fatal kidney disorder just a few weeks ago. It all happened so fast, with no chance for his recovery. I held his head as he peacefully departed this world, but it all seemed way too soon. "Indoor," pampered cats are said to live to be up to 20 years old, right? Well, at least the time we did get together was well spent and happy.

Thanks to your outstanding organization for having a great program for cat rescue. When the time is right to add a new face (or two) to our family again, we know where we can go to find the best companions possible! Until then, Elegance, Power's litter-mate will be doubly pampered and doubly loved. She seems to understand, like most of us, how important it is to keep warm memories and not dwell on the sadness.

From now on, August 22 will be the day we lost our Power, but not our Elegance.

He was a GOOD KITTY!

Sincerely,
Vicki and Jim

Tux: 1995 - 2004

Dear Friends at MEOW,

In the summer of 1995 our daughter rescued Tux, a barn kitty, who was on his way with his littermates to the Humane Society. She chose this black and white kitty because he had a serious eye infection and was certain he would be immediately put to sleep and not treated if he ended up at the Pierce County/Tacoma Shelter. She begged her Dad to let her keep him even though we had a hard and fast ?two pet? rule and we already had our quota! Named Tuxedo for his white bib and black coat, Tux became a very special part of our family, actually changing my husband from one who disliked cats to a person who now has a very tender spot in his heart for felines. Tux was such a gentle boy when he played with his human friends, never scratching or hurting them in any way. He had a luxurious coat that did not shed hair by hair as most cats but came out in tiny bits of fluff that were easy to pick up. Tux had a loud purr and was always so delighted to see his humans. He was the ?perfect? cat and the perfect gentleman.

Our beloved Tux was killed by coyotes, as he was minding his own business on our front porch within a five foot-high fenced in yard in the middle of Tacoma the morning of Sunday, June 20. Tux liked to sit on our front doormat, watching the birds in the early morning. On the 20th his peaceful existence was ended by marauding coyotes, which the city and county have steadfastly refused to do anything about. He was killed as he tried to run to safety underneath our deck. He will always hold a special place in our hearts and will be deeply missed.

Much Love, Lou & Karel V

Sadie

Sadie was at least 10 years old when she came into my life; she was one of three cats owned by an elderly neighbor who loved them, but neglected them for years. The owner, Helen, took a fall in the summer and was in convalescent care for several months, and her adult daughters came over and put dry food down periodically, but essentially the cats were left to fend for themselves.

When Sadie came to me in October, it was clear she was losing the food wars at her house; she weighed about four pounds under her fluffy fur, and was starving, both for food and love. I talked to Helen's daughter, who indicated the cats were a huge burden, and specifically said, "Well, that black and white one isn't really nice-looking; my mother never brushed her." As though that were poor Sadie's fault!

Sadie she was a lovely cat, and she and I bonded while I tried to put some meat back on her bones. She really just wanted to live with us -- more, even, than eating, sometimes. Even when I knew it had been a while since she'd eaten, sometimes she'd leave a plate of wet food to dash into our house and jump up on the couch -- just because she knew that was where she "belonged."

Unfortunately, one of my two cats decided, adamantly, that Sadie wasn't going to move in. So she stayed mostly outside but I fed her twice a day, fattened her up a little, and gave her catnip (which she adored) and played with her -- she would play with anything -- while I put the word out among my cat-loving friends and colleagues to try to find a home for her. She had a funny little meow that sounded like an owl hooting. She loved being a lap kitty and purred nonstop. If I stopped petting her, she would gently nudge my hand with her head so I'd keep going. She was just a love.

I didn't know Helen, but was sorry to hear that she passed away at the convalescent home on November 18. I also didn't know that the very next day -- the day that Sadie's photo and story appeared on the MEOW website in search of an adoptive home -- that the daughters had Sadie put to sleep. I found out all of this on Friday, Nov. 22, when Helen's brother called to tell me.

Sadie is gone, but I'm grateful I got to know and take care of her for a few weeks before her death. She was frantic and starving when I first got to know her, and she was calm and loving after a few weeks of TLC. I hope she's found a warm lap somewhere in the next world -- because she deserved a lot better than she got in this one. - Anne

Note: One of the fundamental joys of life for many of us is the unconditional love and companionship of our pets. But in planning the disposition and succession of our estates, however, we often neglect to consider arrangements for the care of our pets after our own deaths. As a result, many animals end up in shelters awaiting adoption or, like Sadie, are simply put to death because they cannot - or will not - be placed. Having a will makes good sense, and it's easy to add in the details of your pets' caretaker and the upkeep you expect for your pet. At the very least, make arrangements for your pets with your friends or family members. Please don't let what happened to Sadie happen to your beloved pets.

MEOW Cat Rescue Organization
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