Tiger

[Catty1]

October 7, 2010

Tiger came to stay at the cat boarding place where I work after her elderly owner went to hospital and then was going to be moved to long-term care. Tiger was a beautiful orange and white longhaired girl.

She was seven years old, and after living with just the one person, her owner's stepdaughter was only able to pet her by using a backscratcher on her for some time. She visited and fed and petted Tiger, but still Tiger was in the apartment for two months.

Tiger came to us. She hid in her carrier, which we put in her room - but when she was first in her room, she went around and sniffed the dishes, window ledge and litter box. Then she went to her carrier. She ate well, and used the litter box just fine.

She hated being cornered...but if the door to her room was open and she stuck her head out, she enjoyed chin scratchies. Otherwise, she was quite untouchable.

I came to work one day and she had been taken to the local Humane Society. I volunteer there, so let folks know that I knew about Tiger. I felt strongly she needed a foster home where someone could really work with her. I even offered to take her, or someone else's foster so Tiger could go there and get proper care emotionally.

After my volunteer shift last night, I found out last night that Tiger was said to need immediate medical attention. She had bad mats, and a note was made that it (and maybe something else, I didn't notice) would be looked after once Tiger could be handled.

After three weeks, with "fractious" added to a statement on her chart, she was euthanized. She would have been unadoptable.

I cried. I wish I had had a chance...I felt angry. But maybe she would never have been happy. It's just that I saw signs of the sweet kitty she could be.

I kept getting her name wrong. I kept calling her Angel.

Tiger, lovely lovely girl - I am sorry I failed you. Play happy at your eternal and loving home, sweetheart.

[Queen of Poop]

I'm so saddened that no one gave this girl a chance. I hope that she has found happiness at the Bridge.

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh, this is just so sad. I am so sorry this happened Candace.

RIP Tiger (aka Angel)

[phesina]

Oh, I am so very sorry to read this, Candace.

Dearest Tiger, we are sending you all our love. May you be healthy and happy at the Bridge.

[Sundance]

I am so sorry to read Tiger's story. It has made me cry for all the kitties I've wanted to help, offered to help even, at the shelter where I volunteer. I, too, see the sweet kitty behind the wide-eyed fright. I see the very tiny response to a kind word spoken softly. I feel the lean from the head when I put my hand against a furry cheek. There aren't enough of us to facilitate change as quickly as it's needed, but each time I find an empty cage, I feel the same sense of failure. It's disheartening to know a cat was killed because it didn't use the litter box, even though the box had just a dusting of litter, and the cage is so small, the cat can barely turn around. Or the litter of kittens killed because "they weren't thriving." They weren't sick, they had reached 2 pounds but didn't gain much weight after that. Why not try foster? Then there are the "bite-hold" cats who pay with their lives for nipping out at a stranger when they're scared to death, grabbed from a carrier and tossed into a cage smelling of bleach and detergent. It's also tough when you tell someone that a cat isn't eating (full dish, no poop), and they just shrug and say, "You can't save them all." Maybe not, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try my best to help them through their issues and help them find their forever home. At the very least, I would be remiss if I didn't point out a problem.

As a volunteer, I can only do as much as they will allow, just as you tried to do for Angel. She knew you cared for her, and she sensed the love you gave her. I hate sad endings, especially when they don't have to be that way. You were speaking her name without knowing that she would soon be an angel. I don't know why decisions like these are made when people are willing to help (we not only open our home to fosters, we pay for everything the cat needs while in our care), and I don't know how to fix it. There is always going to be another Angel who needs your help. I pray that the next time, someone listens and takes you up on your offer.

Please don't blame yourself...you didn't fail her. The "system" did and we have to keep working to change it so there are no more Angels that weren't given a chance to thrive in the right environment.

Rest in peace, Tiger, now that you are an Angel. Play gently with our kitties who
have gone before us until that one fine day when your elderly owner comes for
you...and then the two of you can greet Catty1 on yet another fine day!

[catmandu]

That is a shame Candace that Tiger was PTS befors hse found that oneFurr Ever Home where she would find a Guardian who would care for her , and give her a place where she would be given time to adjust.
Sometimes that happens at shelters where the Cat who does not adapt quickly enough is let go so Kittens and more socilaized and adoptable Ctas are given a higher priority.
Tiger Angel now has her wings of silver and gold , and is a member of Our Awesome Angels Army now touring Macedonia.
She will be among friends and by the time she greets her guardian, she will be the Cat she was meant to be.
They will be there waiting for you, Candace as the one good friend she had on Earth and you will be friends in Paradise.
One Fine Day.

[Catty1]

Thanks, everyone. Tiger never even made it to the adoption area. Our particular HS doesn't euthanize much at all - only in cases of severe injury or illness, or for bad temperament. The fact that they kept her in Holding for 3 weeks, even though the adoption area was full of cats, tells me this was not done lightly - and it isn't.

All the same, it is damn sad...did I not speak up soon enough, or loudly enough?

Thank you for your words, Gary. And everyone else too. I wish I had a picture of her to show you.

Thanks for sending good wishes to Tiger.

[Medusa]

Oh how sad. Hindsight is 20/20, Candace. Deep down Tiger knew you loved her even if you didn't get a chance to work w/her. Now she's free. RIP, sweet Tiger and peace to you, Candace.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. RIP sweet Tiger. Now she is an angel.

[catmandu]

Saturday will be Tiger Angel Day at Wendys where we will have a Bacon Cheese Burger with cheese, sour cream and a baked potato and De Sani Water.
Tiger Angels will be the guest of honor and Scooter Bug Angel will treat Tiger Angel to a Scooter Bug Cone at Mc Donalds!!love:
In the Kid's play area!!!
Our All Loving Lord compenstaes for Animals who had a sad life and will make Tiger Angel's life a joy from now on.

[lvpets2002]

RIP baby Tiger.. Play hard at the Bridge.. Angel was a purrfect name for you.. Huggss Candace..