A Tribute to Jaxon & Macaroni

A thin, senior tuxedo cat was surrendered to a local municipal shelter after his previous owner was hospitalized and had to relocate to an assisted living facility. There were no vet records to be found, but a conservator of the owner informed the animal control officer that the cat was around 18 years old and was neutered. The cat was then vetted and given a full senior blood panel, which he was then diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid. This occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to a variety of symptoms. This condition most likely attributed to him being underweight. Luckily, the right dose of medication helps regulate the thyroid and alleviate any symptoms.

Given his super senior age and needing ongoing medical care, the municipal shelter contacted Our Companions to seek out placement at our Sanctuary. In March of 2024, we welcomed the terrific tuxedo Jaxon to our Sanctuary. Upon his arrival, Jaxon had a few mats that needed to be shaved and also desperately needing dental care. We were grateful we had the green light to move forward with dental surgery given his old age. Once his teeth was cared for, Jaxon’s appetite greatly improved. Once he was on the correct medication and given the vetting he needed, we immediately saw a difference in Jaxon’s personality and happiness! He proved to everyone at the Sanctuary that being an 18 year old cat never slowed him down! He would still climb up to the window bed and jump up on laps, purring with delight.
Jaxon loved basking in the warm sunlight that radiated into his room, snoozing in his comfy safe spots, but still, Jaxon seemed to have a thirst for life! He was always so curious of the activity in the cottage, seeking new places to explore and venture. He would meow “hello” at all the visitors coming to Sebastian House and would charmingly coax his friends to open his room door so he could go on his own adventure. Our Cat Team really wanted to engage in more enrichment and training with Jaxon to keep his mind active and heart happy. They would work on clicker training to teach Jaxon how to give high-fives, play the piano, and he even participated in our Feed The Beasts competition by completing a balance beam!

Jaxon was promoted up for adoption, and though there was initial interest, his age was a barrier for most people. When seeking seniors, the potential heartbreak of losing your new pet can be difficult for people, especially for a super senior like Jaxon. Regardless, we were more than happy to give Jaxon the love and care he deserved to feel right at home. Jaxon continued to shine and enjoy life at the Sanctuary. He had his friends wrapped around his little fuzzy, Grinch paws, and we loved constantly and consistently ensuring his needs were met and his heart was full.

It wasn’t until his one year mark with us that his health started to take a turn for the worse. Jaxon’s appetite started to slow down and decline. Then suddenly, he started to limp and stopped using his back leg completely. While our team moved forward with diagnostic testing and x-rays with no real conclusion, Jaxon’s condition worsened and his kidney function started to decline as well. We provided supportive medication and diligently observed his condition. Our team always kept adjusting his care, with the hope that something might help or alleviate the issues he was experiencing. However, with his quality of life steadily dwindling, we knew Jaxon was telling us it was his time to go.

After days without eating, we made the extremely difficult decision to help Jaxon cross the Rainbow Bridge, just two days before his 19th birthday. Our hearts are hurting, but we’re so grateful to have spent this last chapter with such a special cat. Though you’d think at 18, Jaxon would’ve preferred a slow, quiet life, but instead he loved having his days filled with fun activities, learning new tricks, cuddles in the sunlight with lots of purrs, exploring new sights like his catio, play time during big spirts of energy, and plenty of excitement to every new person that stopped by to say hello. He never wasted time and lived every moment to the fullest; a reminder to all of us still here. Your super furry paws have forever left an imprint on our hearts, Jaxon.

Right around the time we lost Jaxon, we also lost another furry guest at our Sanctuary. Macaroni was one of the first mice we welcomed to Suzanne’s Place. She was pregnant when she arrived and successfully birthed a litter of healthy, happy mice babies. She did an excellent job being a mama and was a happy girl interacting with her human friends. Though the reasoning of her passing is unknown, her little legacy lives on as we continue to care for more magnificent mice at our Sanctuary.

As per tradition, we will be holding a memorial service at our Sanctuary to honor the passing of recent furry loved ones. All are welcome to join as we meet at Sebastian House and walk down to the pond to share memories and special words. Their ashes are spread at the Sanctuary to be with us forever and be a constant reminder of the work we do for animals in need.