Michaela
1994-2002

When Michaela first came to Little Shelter, she was only 12 weeks old. This little orange ball of fur was filled with hisses and growls and very fearful of people. She loved the company of the other kittens, but when approached by humans, she would rush to find a hiding place.

Michaela made great progress in a few months time. We loved watching her antics with the other kittens but she was still not too sure about us humans. The hisses and growls were gone and she showed a real curiosity about her environment.

We all believed that in the right home with patient, loving people, Michaela would come to feel loved and safe. Most times, kittens like Michaela turn completely around and make the most loveable pets.

On June 8, 1995, Michaela was adopted into a family that promised her (and us) all the time she would need to adjust to new surroundings and that she would be loved “forever”.

Well. “forever” was only four days!! It was said that she “hides” and “its like we don’t own a cat!” Who owns a cat? I thought they owned us.

Coming back to us, Michaela was sad and only wanted to stay with her cat friends. She would tentatively meow for attention, sometimes letting us pet her but never letting us pick her up.

As the years passed, many people showed an interest in this beautiful orange lady, but when told she didn’t like to be picked up, they would just pass her by.

Michaela became known around the cattery as our “meeter and greeter”. Everyone who has visited us got to meet our PR cat. She would sit and meow until you petted her and then follow you all around as if to let you know how much she was enjoying your visit. She would stand on her rear paws and reach up to get her head petted or her back scratched, meowing all the time. She was a regular little ballerina, who loved people and loved attention that was sincere. But by now, potential adopters considered her as an “old cat”.

In her last one and one half years with us, some people expressed an interest in her but we felt she had lived her whole life with us (from a 12-week old to an 8 year old) and we knew that Michaela considered the shelter “her home”. Letting her go would not be in her best interests. She had her routine, cats she grew up with and more love and attention that most cats could ever dream of receiving. Not that Michaela was old, not by any long shot, but those of us who really love cats, know that after this amount of time, they do not fair well by being taken from the only home they have known.

On Sunday, April 7th, 2002, Michaela didn’t greet us as we started our day. This was most unusual. She was taken to out Vet and had all the necessary tests done to find out why. Some of the results showed Michaela was experiencing liver failure. Before all of the test results were in, Michaela died in her sleep on April 17th, 2002. It was a beautiful spring day and one of the saddest days of my life.

It is very had for the cattery staff to imagine her no longer there to greet us every day. Even though we provide shelter to over 250 cats, there is an emptiness that is felt by all of us. No cat will ever be able to replace our beloved Michaela.

To my Michaela, you will forever be in my heart. It was an honor to share all these years with you. You were and always will be the one I loved most. You are the one who helped me learn about unconditional love, where the line is drawn and the utmost respect for the intelligence of cats. I will feel the loss of you for all of my life.

I’ll see you at the bridge.

Gail
And the staff and volunteers in the cattery.

PS To Dr. Keith Niesenbaum and Erica at Crawford Animal Hospital, our heartfelt thanks for all you did in trying to save Michaela. It will not go unnoticed.

A Tribute to Georgie

It was a rainy cold Saturday afternoon when a call came into Little Shelter about a cat that had been "hit by a car and had been laying in the road for a day and a half"!

We sent one of our volunteers from the cattery out to the scene, expecting to find a lifeless form. Instead there was Georgie . . . a badly mangled, cold, wet, black & white sweetheart. He was purring and his big green eyes were asking for help! We rushed him to the office of Dr. Keith Nissenbaum in Hempstead, one of our most devoted Vets who worked feverishly to save him. Keith said that his pelvis was badly fractured, he was suffering from starvation and exposure, but that extensive surgery and loving care might give the little guy a chance. Without hesitation we made arrangements for Georgie to get the care he needed. He had laid in the street for almost 2 days, and didn't give up . . . we weren't going to give up easily either!

After multiple surgeries, extensive care and loving by Keith and his wonderful staff, Georgie came home to Little Shelter. He walked with a lurch but that never stopped him from getting up from his bed in the corner of the kitchen to greet every person who came into the cattery. In the next three years, Georgie became a familiar figure at Little Shelter with his loving "head-butts" unsteady gait and fierce determination to give and get love.

Last spring, we noticed it was taking greater effort for him to get up and perform his greeting duties. We bought him a rug runner to make it easier for him to walk but it soon became clear that our guy was slowing down. Tests showed that his kidneys were not working well due to age and most probably, all the trauma he had been through. Finally, on a beautiful spring day, Georgie went to sleep for the last time.

He is missed these days and memories of him will always be with us at Little Shelter. In his honor, we have established "The Georgie Fund" -- an emergency care fund for animals that have been severely injured and will not survive without extensive surgery and care. We think Georgie would have liked that . . .

Rags

Cookie

Frisky

Jerry

Polly

Georgie

Aunt Tillie

Leeann

Nacho

Abigail

Vincent

Casey

Nutmeg

Trina

Ranger

Cactus

Silky

Keperr

Lucky

Homer

Callista

Gerry

Sassy

Lewis

Dudley

Dora

JJ

Mary

Sunshine

Lexie

Junior

Pitter

Mona

Chico

Old Red

Betsy

Domino

Casey

George

Carmela

Lilly

Sister

Willie

Caren

Vincent

Hortence

Spencer

Terwilliger

Nemo

Diana

Munchkin

She was brought to us through our vet because her owner wanted to put her to sleep because she couldn't care for her anymore. She wasn't with us too long, just about a year, but she made a lasting impression on our hearts. She was a cranky little lady at times, but was such a pleasure to have around. She used to love to see kids come to visit, she drove Kathleen and Linda F crazy trying to find something she liked to eat, which her favorite towards the end was a nice garden salad!

Her time came when her body just couldn't do it anymore and we let her go, tearfully, over the rainbow bridge. You will be missed terribly, little Munchkin.

  Grandma

Grandma was only with us a very short time, but within that time she made her way into the hearts of many of the volunteers and staff at the shelter. She was saved from death at a local town shelter where she was brought in as a stray. Unfortunately her owners must not of felt she was worth looking for. To us, she was a hidden treasure.

When I saw this little lady, just sitting in a cage amongst many other barking dogs and puppies, she looked so cute. She had on a sweater, she was shaved down and her ears just popping out to the sides. She stood up, with some difficulty, tailing wagging and just starting giving kisses. She just broke my heart. She wasn't going to die in that shelter, she was coming back with us.

She fit in just great. She loved to be held and give kisses. Her little tail wagged for everyone that came near, dogs, adults and she adored kids.

Grandma was incredibly overweight - probably at least double the weight she should of been. She was started on a diet immediately and on antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. Her bloodwork was good and we thought Grandma was on the road to finding a new home.

Unfortunately Easter Sunday night, Grandma passed away in her sleep. She must of had a heart attack. She was found just sleeping in her bed in her basket.

In the short time we had her, she brought a smile to many a faces. She will be greatly, greatly missed.

Rest in peace sweet Grandma. Know that your Little Shelter family misses you greatly!

Penny

You were just like your mom, Maggie, in personality. Full of life and energy - always greeting with a smile. Bowling us over when we come into the room with kisses. A lap dog you weren't, but you sure tried really hard.

We didn't have you for too long - just a few months. We were so happy to have shared your last year on earth. Your family didn't realize what they missed out on when they returned you to us after seven years. They said you lived outside in a doghouse and the barking got too much. All you were telling them is that you were lonely and wanted someone to love.

Unfortunately your kidneys were too weak and you got too tired to go on. We miss you Penny. We miss your smile, the special way you knocked us over when we came into say hello. You were truly a special girl and we will ALWAYS love you.

Samantha

When we first received the call, we didn't know what to think. The caller said your owner had passed away and left you chained to your doghouse. She said you had been hit by a car several months earlier and couldn't stand very well. Well, we had no choice but to go out and see the situation. When we pulled up in front of the house, there you were in the backyard, chained to a doghouse with another dog, barking out of happiness to see us, while dragging yourself over to say hello. We immediately put you into the truck and took you to the shelter.

After many tests and vet visits, including specialists, it was determined that you had a degenerative neurological condition and not much could be done about it. We decided to give you the best life possible till you tell us it was time.

We had a good year together. You were quite "cranky" at times, guarding your rawhides and food, not allowing strangers to come into the house. You broke the backs of most of the staff helping you stand up on those tired days. We all did it out of love, and would do it again to have you back with us. You so enjoyed your romps in the morning, plopping down when you didn't want to come back. I truly think you knew we couldn't carry you that far.

We noticed you were getting tired and daily life was getting to hard. We knew it was time. As I sat and brushed you for the last time, and rubbed your ears, the kisses you gave me I know were kisses that said it was OK to let go, that you knew it was time to go. It broke all of our hearts to say goodbye, but please know that we loved you and forever will.

Love Always:

Linda, Lauren, Sue, Patti, Cathy, Kerri, Kathleen, Mike and all the other
staff and volunteers that helped care for and loved Samantha.

Pups

We lost a very special dog recently - his name was Pups. You all may remember, Sweetie and Pups, were two horribly neglected dogs that we took in a little over a year and a half ago. Pups was in such bad physical condition the vet almost said the most humane thing was to euthanize him. He was in end stage sarcoptic mange, fracture rear hip, heartworm positive, full of infection and emaciated. Luckily - he was given a second chance. Sweetie and Pups healed after alot of love and attention from the staff and volunteers. They were adopted about eight months ago by Trish and Jay Cooke of Connecticut. Unfortunately Pups was diagnosed with mouth cancer and lost his battle a few days ago.

A big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped care for and love Pups, and an even bigger thank you to Jay and Trish, for providing him with the best eight months of his life. In the short time you had him - you made him very, very happy!!! Thank you.

Fabio

With us from November 14, 1999 - February 26, 2001
In our hearts forever.

Summer Lovin' -- Fabio gets some quality lap time at Adoptathon 2000

Fabio came to us on November 14, 1999; half dead, emaciated, matted, eyes crusted shut. Our caring Little Shelter staff nursed him "back to health" so that he could live the last year of his life with some dignity and respect.

Special thanks go out to Fabio's "special" caretakers: Kathleen B, Jen, and Kerry, who cooked Fabio's meals for him (chicken, hamburgers, and spam), ordered take out for him (including pizza and chinese food), bathed him, groomed him, and loved him.

Kathleen B went above and beyond for little Fabio. She devoted so much of her time for him, giving him his funky haircuts, dressing him up when it was cold out, and introducing him to many new doggy friends that he shared the house with.

Fabio was loved during the hardest years of his life, when his family, who owned him for most of his life, dumped him on the road.

Special thanks also go out to Dr. Ligouri for providing Fabio with all of his veterinary care and for not giving up on such an old man.

Fabio, you will be missed by us all. Goodbye sweet Fabio.

Uh oh, Spaghetti-O's -- Fabio after eating a big plate of spaghetti

Tobie

Filbert
The house isn't the same without you.

Mickey

Gus
Astro made it,
but he misses you.

Panda
Special thanks to Liz Alexander for giving Panda the quality of life that she always deserved.

Kayla

Buddy

Sandy

Gentle Ben