Dearest Sponsor,
There are no certainties in life. Every good thing that happens, and every day in this world, is truly a gift.
Over the past year, I have had many positive life changes: becoming a Tabby’s Place resident; being chosen and loved by my very own special needs sponsors (you!); and getting showered with love and attention from staff, volunteers, and visitors who brightened my every day. I was also delighted to have my own correspondent, who became my trusted friend.
It was no secret that I have been having health issues the past few months. The combination of my age, kidney disease, arthritis, and diabetes (which came on most recently, as a result of steroid treatment) took a toll on me physically. Yet my spirit continued to soar as I felt your love.
But I’m afraid I have to share some very sad news today. I have received my angel wings, surrounded by those who loved me so much. I even had a goodbye video hug with my correspondent Ilene, who is still at home recovering.
Let’s call this my “so long,” until we meet again. Please do not shed tears of sadness, but tears of happiness, knowing the impact your love had on one gray-and-white golden girl.
Keep me in your heart and stay strong.
My correspondent and BFF Ilene painted this beautiful portrait of me after I crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She said this about it, “The background colors are pretty and light, representing the essence of beautiful Josie. The darker patch represents all the adversity Josie faced in her life, and that she overcame with her bravery.”
After every storm, the sun will shine again. I promise to watch over you and will enjoy my next chapter of life, where I have no allergies and can eat whatever I want, and no arthritis.
My legs and paws are strong now, and I can run alongside my Tabby’s Place friend Rose and all of the Tabby’s Place angel cats through beautiful green fields filled with colorful and fragrant flowers (sunflowers are my favorite). I can climb the highest hills (higher than my cat bed on the crates in Suite B), and finally I rest comfortably in the soft grass with my paws crossed, my head and heart filled with beautiful memories.
I will love you forever and a day, my sweet, special sponsor.
Love, Josie
(With help from my correspondent, Ilene)
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It is only fair that I share with you the December 2023 update which I had just started to work on with Ilene when our writing time was interrupted.
“As 2023 ends and we start to celebrate our holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making 2023 such an unforgettable year. When I was sad after losing my mom, and did not have anything to look forward to, I started a new chapter in my life. You welcomed me into your heart and your life and stood by my side as my sponsor. The amount of love I feel from you is only equaled by the amount of love that I feel for you!
I am a very sentimental kitty, and at 14 years of age I have had so many life experiences, but my time with you this past year was truly one of the happiest times of my life, thank you!
I still remember the day that I arrived at Tabby’s Place. I had so many emotions swirling in my head: I was scared, I missed my mom, I did not know how the hole in my heart would ever heal. And then came YOU, the Tabby’s Place staff, volunteers, visitors, and kids in the Paws to Read program. You filled my heart with love.
I am living a wonderful life, surrounded by felines and humans—it does not get much better.”
Note: Since our precious Josie has earned her angel wings, we have transferred your sponsorship to another cat in need: Grecca. We’ve selected this lobby-dwelling legend for you because, like Josie, she is a cat of advanced age and great confidence.
Grecca is a mammary cancer survivor, but today she fills the lobby with her calls for second (and third) breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grecca is never afraid to ask.
You can read about Grecca here, and look forward to receiving your first update on her next month.
If you prefer, you can select a different Special Needs cat to sponsor. Click here to meet all our Special Needs cats, and contact us by email if you’d like to transfer your sponsorship. Otherwise, you will receive updates on Grecca each month going forward. As always, your generous support will go where it’s most needed.
Thank you for your love and beautiful generosity to Josie. The Tabby’s Place cats are deeply blessed to have you in their lives.