A Tribute to Rosie & Tyrone

We were first contacted about Rosie in 2022 when her original owner was seeking to rehome her. The owner was moving to Florida and could not bring Rosie with her. At the time, our Animal Sanctuary was at capacity and offered our Rehoming Program. Our Rehoming Program is a free service we offer to the public to help promote, respond to applications, facilitate meetings, and find a suitable match for their pets in the home. Once we help find a great adopter, pets in our Rehoming Program then move from their previous home to their adoptive home. This lessens the stress of transitioning from place to place, while also allowing more homeless animals to be eligible for space at shelters.

At the time of Rosie entering our program, she was 16 years old and had been diagnosed with Stage 2 kidney disease. She had struggles with her appetite and had occasional potty accidents in the home. We provided veterinary assistance and behavioral guidance to Rosie’s owner to help work through her appetite and accident challenges as we searched for an alternative home. We were aware that Rosie’s situation and needs were a potential challenge when searching for an adoptive home. Rosie quickly moved to the top of our waiting list when we had available space at the Sanctuary. Unfortunately, the stress of the move and having difficulty working on her challenges in the home, her owner was reaching the end of her rope. With euthanasia on the table, our incredible staff worked quickly to problem solve the situation at hand. We contacted the amazing people at Happy Cat Hotel & Spa about available space where we could pay for Rosie to be cared for in the interim until we had space at the Sanctuary. Though it was in the midst of the holiday season, they graciously accommodated this last minute request and welcomed Rosie.

We provided Rosie prescription kidney food and medication, while the staff at Happy Cat Hotel & Spa created a nurturing, safe environment for sweet Rosie. We also moved forward with dental care for Rosie during her time with them and they took exceptional care while she recovered. Having the proper diet, no more infected teeth, and a litter box more accessible to her, Rosie’s appetite greatly improved and she had no potty accidents during her time with Happy Cat. With some patience and coaxing, Rosie slowly came out of hiding and would often play with her new friends at the facility! Though she was 16, that certainly didn’t slow down her!

We finally had space at our Sanctuary and helped Rosie make the transition to her new room with us. For having lived in the same home for 16 years, and now moving twice in a couple months, Rosie took on this new change in stride. She still needed time to decompress like any cat experiencing a new environment for the first time, but similar to Happy Cat, we had lots of comfortable hiding spots and patient new friends and she settled in well.

Rosie found lots of love, comfort, and supportive care from our amazing staff and volunteers. She loved playing, but especially loved catnip toys that got her excited! She also loved chewing on cat grass that our staff grow for our feline friends. A window in her room overlooked most of the animal cottages on the property, where she could watch the comings and goings of friends, both two-legged and four. Her room was filled with blankets, beds, and hiding spots. She would make a constant rotation as to what comfy spot would be her favorite napping place. At one point, she started to burrow underneath the fluffy blankets and take naps in there, which led to us having to warn visitors to make sure Rosie wasn’t burrowed on the couch before they sat down! Rosie also appreciated sharing her room as an office for our Sanctuary Director, enjoying the quiet comfort of a person close by that let her get her beauty sleep in peace. Rosie also had many new experiences, including access to her fenced-in catio! Living as an indoor cat her entire life, she enjoyed being able to feel, hear, and see nature in a different way.

Rosie was a sweet girl, but she was also incredibly fierce and internally strong. She experienced many difficulties with her health, but even during her lows, she always pulled through and came back on top. Though we continued to search for an adoptive home with Rosie, we knew with her age and kidney disease diagnosis was a big barrier for adopters. As time went on, her condition started to take its toll and we switched our focus away from adoption and providing supportive, end of life care for Rosie. She continued to march on, having good days and sometimes needing some extra support for her bad days. Our Cat Team was diligent observing every slight change or improvement with her health each day, adjusting her care as needed. When she began experiencing frequent potty accidents due to the progression of her kidney disease, staff always made sure she had plenty of clean, warm blankets to enjoy in her room. Her days were filled with more and more nap time, enjoying the warm sunlight that shined in and her friends giving her gentle pets on her head as they sat next to her.  

Sadly, after many years of battling renal failure and our supportive care no longer keeping her afloat, Rosie let us know it was her time to go at the age of 18.5 years old. She passed over the Rainbow Bridge surrounded by her close friends, giving her love and comfort until the very end. Rosie’s presence with us demonstrates fierce resiliency; showing us great strength and adaptability despite what life may throw at you. We’re so grateful to have provided a place for Rosie at our Sanctuary, where animals can be given the supportive care they need to still enjoy life until the end. Rosie, your presence will be greatly missed!

Around this same time, our small animal cottage, Suzanne’s Place, welcomed a pair of boy guinea pigs named Scott and Tyrone. Scott is the all white piggy and Tyrone is the tri-color with the spunky hair. The boys did come from the same home, but they appreciated their own space from one another and socializing in a neutral place. Tyrone needed no time at all to settle in and loved exploring his new space with us; jumping on his hut, having zoomies, and chewing on his new toys in his habitat.

However, right after the holidays, a staff member came in early one morning to find Tyrone cold and unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital where he was too far gone to revive. The posthumous exam showed very late stage kidney disease, which wouldn’t have showed in a regular physical exam. It comes at much of a surprise since Tyrone had been nothing less than exuberant, silly, and showing us that he was quite the athlete! He was always climbing, jumping, and seeking pets from his new friends; sharing lots of happy squeals when his friends would walk in to say hi. We’re extremely saddened that our time with Tyrone was cut too short, but at least he wasn’t in pain for long and lived life to the fullest until the very end. We will mend our hearts by giving Scott lots of extra attention, cuddles, and yummy snacks to help support him through this time too.

Welcoming these furry friends to our Sanctuary, we’re never quite sure the duration of their time with us. Regardless if we’re just one chapter in their big book of adventures or the last chapter to their beautiful life story, we hope that every animal in our care feels fulfilled, understood, enriched, and loved. We wouldn’t be able to provide this indescribable experience without the dedicated individuals in our community. Thank you for being a part of our mission and a part of these animals’ lives.