When I got to the shelter tonight, there was a note saying Shine, Cat Guardians’ oldest resident, passed away in Kathy’s lap a little after midnight last night. Most of her paperwork says she was born in 1986, but one form says 1985, so the “official” story is that she was 23 and half years old, or 110 in “cat years”.

I knew it was coming. She got really skinny this year, and this weekend she started hiding out in one of the kitty condos (which she never does). I saw her stumble twice when she came out for water. I gave her lots of petting & kisses Saturday afternoon, and I told her that if this was it, I understood. She was a good kitty. And, even though she was too old to adopt out, I considered her my kitty, my “shiny girl”.

I was asked to write a memorial for her in the shelter newsletter:

The grand dame of the shelter, our beloved Shine, passed away peacefully the night of July 6th. Her final moments were spent cradled in Kathy’s lap, feeling the love she has always known as a Cat Guardians resident. She was 23 years old.

Shine was born in 1986 and was rescued with a litter of her kittens. For many years, she perched atop our cages, keeping watch over the shelter and her many furry friends. She was a gentle matron, greeting the other cats with a nuzzle or a kiss — especially Henry, her beau. The couple retired upstairs to the office last year, and spent their days cuddling and watching birds out the window together. After Henry’s passing, Shine took on a motherly role toward the other office cats, who respected her age and appreciated her affection.

She never let her asthma or her age slow her down. While she enjoyed her long naps in the sun, she still leapt gracefully from the desk to the floor up to the very end. She wouldn’t let anyone cut her nails or pick her up, and was always ready to use those claws when Frankie got a little too frisky with her.

Shine was a very special lady in my life. When I stopped by the shelter to see my “shiny girl”, she was always so happy to see me. She’d run up to greet me with a silent meow, and look up at me with those big eyes. After a bad day at work, she was always ready to listen and offer me kisses all better. Her purr always made me smile, and I know she touched many other hearts over the years as well.

Thank you, Shine, for all you did for us and the kitties. Thank you, Kathy, for showing her such tenderness and compassion. And thank you, everyone, for giving Shine such a long and happy life.