Over the Bridge in 2023

The Sanctuary is a place where we celebrate life – specifically, the lives of many cats who, in other circumstances, would have been euthanized for being unadoptable.  Many ferals have come through our hands, and though some have eventually accepted human attention, others have remained feral for much of their lives. Adopters shy away from taking cats with FIV or FeLV, diabetes or kidney disease – and we rejoice that we have been able to give them shelter and treatment. We have partnered with rescues in other places, and taken groups of cats that a smaller organization may not be able to house.

But because many of our cats are with us through much of their lives, we are, time and time again, with them for their deaths. Sometimes they are unexpected, as in cancer, or FIP. Sometimes we watch the gradual aging of a beloved friend, and know that their time is come. Many cats hide their ill-health, and occasionally we will find them already passed; most of them are taken by a staff-member to the hospital, where they will pass gently, held by loving hands.

The turn of the year is a time when we look back over the past twelve months, and remember more than fifty of the furry friends who have “crossed the Rainbow Bridge”. So once again, this is less a blog, and more a photo-essay that may bring smiles and tears and memories and love of some very special cats. We can’t feature them all, but here are a dozen of those who have gone ahead of us.

Much beloved by all, Tugboat became very frail in his last year, and was cuddled and comforted by humans and cats alike.

Little Sprint was a junkyard cat, very shy, and with health problems; Shaggy was one of the last of the “oldies” from the former Moore House.

Sara Lee had lived here for most of her 21-odd years. Easily identified by her bi-coloured eyes and her smoke coat, she was a fixture at the coffee table, where she toured from one lap to another.

Cinnamon Bun Lincoln was named for his curled tail, and known for his tendency to pee on anything/anyone he wanted to claim.

One-eyed Little Orange was loved by volunteers and visitors alike, and is greatly missed by his friend Allison who visited him every week. He’s reunited with his girlfriend, shy Merilee.

Stella was a regal presence in the Tea-Room and the breezeway; she liked to sit high up and reach down a paw to those seeking her attention.

Bossanova evolved from a shy boy hiding high on a shelf to a cat who would hover hopefully, looking for treats and attention.