Update on Tiger Tim and call to action

[catrose]

Last edited Mon Jun 29, 2015, 11:18 AM - Edit history (1)

From the great folks at Magnificat, who have given owner-abandoned Tiger Tim incredible love, support, and medical care:

We made a very difficult decision today. Dr. Oberthaler confirmed what we suspected: Tiger Tim is fading. The chemo has not worked. His lungs are “dull” and his breathing is already slightly distressed. We asked if a chest tap would make him more comfortable. Yes, it would – but only for four or five days. It would be invasive, involving a catheter and sedation. And ultimately, it would accomplish nothing. He has very little time left...

He is going home, where he will be surrounded by love. He will be lifted to the window sill to see the birds, he will watch the other cats play and join them on the sofa if he is up to it. He will get to enjoy all the gifts you have sent him: the giraffe, the fish, the blanket, the sheepskin throw. We will read him all the cards people sent in and tell him how people all over the world cared about him and prayed that he would get better.

And then, in two or three days, in his foster mother’s arms and knowing how much he mattered to us, he will die peacefully.

Tiger Tim is going home.

Are_grits_groceries brought Tiger Tim and his couch-loving owner to our attention with a plea to NYC DUers to foster or adopt Tiger Tim. (His owner turned TT in to the shelter because she got a new couch.) He's had a hospice foster who loves him very much, and he's saved and safe for the rest of his short life. But scroll up the Magnificat page and see the newest death row kitties. They need a foster for 2 cats on the shelter euthanize list today (Wednesday). If you can help, please do, even through tears.

Magnificat has provided heroic medical care for two other cats this month too. Feel free to send them some money or offer food to whomever fosters these two new ones.

Gonna go cry some more and hug my kitties.

EDIT: As you might have guessed from the Friday update, Tiger Tim passed this weekend. Magnificat posted "The Final Update" and then posted more videos. Go see them if you need to cry again.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Magnificat-Cat-Rescue-and-Rehoming/335821436543926?fref=ts

I don't know why his story went so viral, why he touched so many hearts. I've been rescuing a long time and have a big collection of sob stories along the lines of "HOW COULD YOU ABANDON THIS WONDERFUL CAT WHO LOVES YOU?" And for all the strays, obviously beloved pets at some point, whom I never saw on Craigslist or any of the Lost Cat places. I hope people will be inspired to help the millions of other animals who need a second chance. So blessings on this little orange guy on his final journey, and blessings to the big-hearted rescue that worked so hard to save him.

[Arugula Latte]

1. ...

Aww, poor Tiger Tim...Let's hope other kitties can be saved thanks to him.

[catrose]

14. Yes, they're encouraging people to foster/adopt in honor of Tiger Tim

May Ceiling Cat make it so!

[Dont call me Shirley]

2. Gentle hugs for Tiger Tim

[catrose]

19. ...

[hifiguy]

3. Cross peacefully, Tiger Tim.

You touched a lot of lives.

[catrose]

15. ...

[Triana]

4. Tiger Tim is in the best place for him right now.

It's sad - but at least he will go loved and not alone - and he won't be allowed to suffer needlessly. I wish the poor little baby painless and peaceful passing.

[catrose]

16. ...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Poor Tiger Tim... I've been following his story

and I'm very sad to hear that he doesn't have much longer; but at least his last days will be happy and comfortable. There ought to be a special place in Hell for the person who abandoned him, and for anyone who mistreats or neglects animals.

[catrose]

18. I'm so glad that he could love again, even after 7 years with his callous owner eom

[procon]

6. Poor baby, I'm so glad he found someone to love and care about him.

I just sent my own little cat, Petey, across that final bridge this morning. I'm heartbroken, but so very thankful I can still cuddle up with my two other cats.

Goodbye to Tiger Tim.
Goodbye to my little Petey boy.

[Cleita]

8. Hugs for Petey boy and you too.

[catrose]

9. I'm so sorry!

Last edited Wed Jun 24, 2015, 10:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Such a sad day. It's so hard to make that decision, and even harder to do without our best friends.

I'm embroidering kitchen towels for Tiger Tim's rescuers (with Tim-esque renderings, of course). If you feel comfortable PMing me an address to send it to & Petey's description, I'll make one in his honor also. If not, I understand, and I'll keep him in mind while making the other memorials.

Here's Hyacinth to comfort you. Is she a Petey look-a-like?

[cab67]

12. I'm sorry for your loss.

[hifiguy]

22. Losing a dear furfriend is as hard as it gets.

for Petey

[niyad]

39. (((((procon))))) hugs for you, and your precious little one. may the Lady Bast hold him gently.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

41. So sorry about your Petey.

[catrose]

44. Here's Petey with the Tiger Tim towels

[url=http://postimage.org/][img][/img][/url]

[hifiguy]

45. Oh crap, that almost made me lose it.

[catrose]

50. A very high compliment.

Crying is good.

Thanks.

[procon]

49. Oh, catrose, these are just beautiful.

I love your embroidery work, but I'd probably frame them for display because they are too pretty to use. Thank you for remembering my little cat, Petey, I really miss him a lot.

I grieve for all our dear little companions who have gone and left us behind. In my imagination I know Tiger Tim and Petey will be best buds. They'll go romping through a field of flowers and then sprawl out on a comfy sofa for a long nap in a spot of warm sunlight.

[catrose]

51. Thanks so much

Last edited Sun Jun 28, 2015, 08:20 PM - Edit history (1)

I'll also imagine Petey and Tim romping together and cuddling in the warm.

I appreciate the compliment--I embroidered a towel for my vet, and he framed it, though I kept saying, "But when you use it, you'll think of Claire." Didn't want to use it. That's cool; whatever makes people happy.

My Etsy shop is 5CatFlowers. I don't have anything listed now, but you probably can send me a message (auto cow wrecks won't let me spell c-o-n-v-o) if you want something for yourself. Very reasonable rates for kitty mourners!

[freeplessinseattle]

7. aw, breaks my heart to hear this, but am glad he is being cared for by the best people

that could be there with him. He seems like a unique angel, I wish I could have kissed his face.

[catrose]

10. Yes, something about him

I keep telling myself the shelter is full of dear kitties like him who just didn't get their stories told. Heck, I know there are. I've been rescuing them for years. This year is been very tough on animal rescues.

[freeplessinseattle]

21. Yes, I know what you mean!

While I tell myself that thanks to the internet and TNR, their lives and opportunities have improved in the last couple decade, I know there are still too many suffering. Thank goodness for the caring capable people out there who never give up!

[cab67]

11. My heart broke when I first read of this.

I literally had to do everything I could to not think of it. That someone could just abandon a family member because of some new furniture boggled (and continues to boggle) my mind.

Magnificat is a great person indeed for stepping forward.

[catrose]

17. They must be a great rescue

To have invested so much in his medical care, even when it looked hopeless early on. I hope they get tons of fosters and lots of money to rescue more kitties.

[Omaha Steve]

13. .

[riderinthestorm]

20. There's DUers in need as well... If anyone can spare some hope Demtenjeep

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026887908

Just a thought and a kick for your excellent OP.

[catrose]

26. Thanks much.

and a kick for Demtenjeep

[shenmue]

23. ....

[catrose]

27. ….

[roguevalley]

24. this stuff kills me. But I know that in the next life animals get it all.

[catrose]

25. .!

[Liberal_in_LA]

28. awwwww

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

29. This is why I love DU.

[catrose]

37. thanks. Glad to be a small part of it. eom

[bullwinkle428]

30. Is there a way to donate to the Magnificat rescue group? I went to their

Facebook site, and the link to their actual site didn't seem to work, unless I was doing something wrong...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

31. You can donate here:

http://magnificatrescue.webs.com/donate.htm

Think I'll do that, too.

[catrose]

36. Thanks to both of you.

You can also do Paypal to [e-mail]

[bullwinkle428]

38. Thank you so much - donation made!!

[okasha]

32. Safe journey,

Tiger Tim and Petey.

[catrose]

35. Yes, hold a candle for them

[onecaliberal]

33. I will donate again. I'm beyond sad about this.

[catrose]

34. thank you thank you thank you thank you

etc.

[onecaliberal]

43. You are most welcome. I so wanted him to survive.

[niyad]

40. k and r for continued visibility. Lady Bast, take this gentle being and hold him close to You.

and may his previous, callous, couch-loving person receive everything she deserves.

[catrose]

42. ...

[hifiguy]

46. +1

[Are_grits_groceries]

47. It's the best thing for him but

[myrna minx]

48. .

[840high]

52. ....

[3catwoman3]

53. Each time I read the reports on Tiger Tim, I only get thru about...

...5 replies before my eyes are so full I can hardly read the rest.

Tiger Tim has touched so many hearts.

[catrose]

54. He certainly has

I hope those thousands of people commit to helping other pets in need. And part of me hopes Couch Lady, who abandoned him, knows all about this.