  Amber........."a really neat cat" with a beautiful
orange spot on top of her head who was greatly loved by Pat,
her foster mom. Laura shares her memories of Amber: "She was such a sweet-natured cat.....quiet but very loving, pushing eagerly against your hand when you petted her. Whenever someone paid attention to her, it drew her out of her usual calm self-containment and revealed what a sweetheart she was." |
 Mia
and Sabby........together all their lives. A volunteer
remembers watching MIA grooming SABBY on the head
for long periods of time and saw how much SABBY loved
it. "They were beautiful, sweet cats." Another volunteer
sadly noted that these two devoted companions crossed The Rainbow
Bridge together, but in some ways, it also seemed fitting they
should not be separated, even by death. |
 Sylvester.......a friendly tuxedo kitty who is remembered as a
real cuddler. Pat remembers how "he would just melt in your
lap." Laura remembers how Sylvester was learning to be brave and trusting: "He
was surprisingly responsive when I reached into his cage to pet
him, as if he had hungered as much for love as for food during
his time of abandonment." |
 Sunny ......
a big, handsome
guy who loved to talk whenever anyone came into the room. He
was a favorite of Mike's who recalls how Sunny loved to hug everyone
by putting his paws around their necks. |
 Sweet and Wonderful Little Silkie
always looked forward to people visiting her. "What a little
treasure she was.....compact, soft, and very clean. I was hoping
she would have a chance at finding the perfect home to adorn.
She was never demanding, but always appreciative of any kindness,"
remembers Laura. |
 Kaladi.....full of personality and a love. Laura shared her
memories of Kaladi, "She had such
personality and vitality..I am going to miss her spunky liveliness
very much. She will leave a big hole in our lives. " We
had Sweet Kaladi with us at the shelter
for 5 months. Another volunteer who knew Kaladi well remembers, "Kaladi loved to watch the ravens from her cage and she
would get so excited she'd make a sound like a lamb......"baaaa."
|
Remembrances and Tributes
I'm so sorry about the kitties. Though they have passed from this life and have gone to the Bridge, they have touched so many outside of Alaska. They are still with you in spirit. I will be with you in spirt, too, at their memorial. A candle will be lit for each of them. They will be remembered. My heart goes out to those who tried to save them.
Bridget in California
We are always so optimistic that each of our cats will find a loving and permanent home. We give them food, shelter, medical care and tell everyone what wonderful companions we have who need a home. They are better off at the shelter than struggling to survive on their own, yet they suffered and died of a freak accident while in our care. That is what is the hardest to bear. My heart goes out to the caretakers who knew and loved each one for their special ways. My gratitude and admiration to the shelter volunteers who bare the tragic loss of our friends while at the same time go on to help and comfort the ones who survived and the ones yet to come. New arrivals won't be met by emptiness. They will be greeted by kind souls with strong hearts who will soothe, comfort, bathe, medicate, and tell their stories over and over forever hopeful of finding the right connection and giving them the greatest gift of all........a second chance. Thank you to everyone who sent their compassion and understanding. It helps to know that our loss is shared by others who have a deep love for the shelter animals.
Sherry Bess, Homer Animal Shelter Director
I'm so very sorry for all of you......I rescue and I know what it is to lose a cat through no fault of your own. They knew love, kindness, and light....they will be forever etched on your souls and hearts because you made a difference in their lives and they in yours. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Linda Gillian..Baltimore, MD
My heart goes out to you all. May they all rest in peace. I pray your hearts will heal with time.
Mary
My deepest sympathy on this tragic loss. May God comfort and heal those left behind.
Raylene Tatum
I am so very sorry about what happened. They were beautiful. I can understand the terrible loss you all must feel. I have volunteered for almost 10 years now at a shelter and would be devastated if this happened here. Sending prayers and healing thoughts for all.
Cathy
.....I wish we had had a chance to do more for our Seven Angels. This is true of all of the cats....I wish we could have done more. None of us ever imagined that the place we thought of as their refuge would be their death trap. That's what makes the pain all the worse.....our good intentions. These cats were a cross-section of the animals we help. Foster-cares and long-time residents, abandoned pets, and those whose owners were forced to give up. They touched our lives as we touched theirs, trying to give them love and reassurance as well as seeing to their physical comforts. Those of us who work or volunteer in animal rescue know we can't save them all. We know we are opening our hearts to pain and sorrow, but we also know that this work can only be rightly done by those who love the animals. No matter how long they are with us or what their fate is to be, we resolve that today......this day.......they will know comfort and love. I guess I will try to draw some comfort from knowing that these lost ones, in the end, had known they were loved and cared for. And I think that is the most important thing.
Laura Plamondon
"The love these special cats gave to all who knew and met them shall help their memories live on in our hearts. Now they are at peace - never hungry, in pain or cruelly treated ever again. May these feline angels not have died in vain. May their deaths help us realize how much shelter animals all over the world need, and that we can make a start for all these special animals in our small town - right now."
Dr. Ginny Johnson
"When animals come to the shelter; besides food, water, and a safe haven, we shower them with love and attention as long as they are with us. I feel sad that we were unable to protect these animals from harm. I feel we failed them."
Liz Clark
"I feel so sad about this accident. I will pay tribute to their memory by helping in every possible way to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. They will be forever in my heart."
Peg Price
"Their spirits have been lifted up into heaven."
"My heart and tears go out to all of you and the angels. Remember that St. Francis is taking good care of them now, and hopefully my mother will take one of them....."
"It makes me very sad.... My thoughts are with you all...."
"I am so sorry for the loss of your animals."
"We will be there in spirit, thoughts, and prayers. I hurt so bad, can't imagine what you're going through."
On Sunday evening, March 5, 2000 after the shelter had closed for the day, the heater in the cat house malfunctioned. Due to the extremely high temperature, seven of our cats died of heat exhaustion: Amber, Mia and Sabby, Silkie, Sunny, Kaladi, and Sylvester. We dedicate this site to their memory and to all those who helped ease the sorrow.
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