09/06/2026
You know when you have something great, you also know all things must end.
For our original store cat crew, that day has come. It is with great sorrow we have to say that on Tuesday, we lost the last of an era.
Our Willard. (Ughh. I knew I'd choke up writing this. I've been putting it off for too long though)
And you know what? I don't have any proof that it DOESN'T work this way.. so I'm going to phrase it like this; he just missed his buddy Bridget too much. He was ready to go find a bed, get his hair all over it, and cuddle with her there again.
They really were buddies. Did I ever tell you that story?
Way back in January of 2016 we had Ben. Found in a grocery store packing lot at almost midnight, he was scrounging in a discarded McDonald's bag. He was so cool. Three legs, an umbilical hernia, and a heart defect, we only had Ben for a few months but before his heart became too tired, his heart taught us how the store can be a great home for the right kitty. Ben started it all, the grandfather of Stately Pet store kitties.
SO. September 2016 we say ok. Time for another store kitty. BUT. This time we're getting 2, so they can be buddies here together!
This day we decided to make a day trip and took a ride up to True Friends Animal Welfare Center in Montrose.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that we were there 5 minutes and the first set of cages we passed.. we saw him.
Down about knee level, looking up at us like a perfect little sitting gentleman was this handsome boy. Big giant cheeks and just the slightest meow. Almost as if to say "hey I'm down here"
I looked over at the staff and said "If I'm leaving here with 2, he's one of them." He was perfect. He really was.
He was the cat that inspired things from customers like "you know I'm not really a cat person but I love him!"
He was a counter gargoyle. Sweater wearer. Bed display messer upper. Circus trick lap sitter. Keyboard walker onner.
There will never be another Willard. But it was not a life cut short. It was full. It was full of love and more attention/affection than many cats could ever hope to enjoy.
And now for the missing you.
No more front door greetings when we come in, no more barreling down the ramp for breakfast. No more sticky rollers on the winter dog coat displays.
We love you Willard. Where did your wonderful little soul go? We hope it's wherever Bridget is. And Maybe Sophie too if she'll share the bed.
We'd like to thank Bunker Hill Veterinary Hospital, P.C for taking such wonderful care of him and accommodating almost the entire Stately Pet staff in the room that day. I think we aced an entire box of tissues in that room. You were kind, compassionate, and so accommodating. I'll never forget it.
Evelyn, Maria, and Jake you guys held down the fort when you didn't have to. If you guys weren't able to make it, I would have locked the place up for a few hours. It would have been a worthy occasion. That would have been a heck of a sign on the door wouldn't it? Sorry - closed for two hours so we can all go say goodbye to one of the best souls that we ever have had the joy of loving.
Our Willard. We love you. You did such a good job buddy.
