09/17/2026
Keep our sweet friends in your thoughts 🐾
There are weeks when the darkness feels heavier than the light. Weeks when the losses pile up, when your heart is bruised beyond words, and you find yourself searching for the ‘why’ of it all.
This has been one of those weeks.
We lost our sweet Lovey. She made it through surgery and had a week of playing, exploring, and experiencing what it felt like to live without pain. We hoped that she was on her way to the happy ending she deserved. Then came the panleukopenia and despite round-the-clock care, we couldn't save her.
That loss hurts in a way that is difficult to explain. Lovey had already endured so much in her short life. We had seen the possibility of a different future for her. We had imagined the life she would have, the love she would know, the years she would finally get to spend safe and cared for. Then, heartbreakingly, we had to say goodbye.
To everyone who donated toward Lovey's care, please know that we have made the decision to personally cover her expenses. We want every dollar you gave to become medicine, food, warmth, surgery, safety, and hope for another cat or kitten.
The same day Lovey passed, we lost our “Forever Shacker,” Benjamin.
Benjamin came to us torn apart by a raccoon. He was completely feral, frightened, and unsure of people. Over time, through patience and love, that frightened cat became something entirely different; he became ours. He greeted us every day. He followed us as we did our chores, he patiently waited for us to pick him up so he could burrow in and share his gratitude and love. It was an amazing transformation.
Because of health issues, we acknowledged that he would be with us for life. Several months ago, we realized he was battling a devastating fungal infection. Treating that inflamed an underlying kidney disease. We worked tirelessly to find the balance between treating the two diseases and to ensure he maintained a decent quality of life. Monday, we recognized it was time and made the heart breaking decision to help him leave this world. When it was time to go, he didn't leave alone or afraid. He left us purring and snuggled up in my neck…the place he had come to love the most. Of course we love every cat who comes through our doors, but Benjamin wasn't passing through, he was special and the barn feels empty and wrong without him.
This work is much harder than most people will ever know. Every day there are more requests for help than we have the time and resources to help with. There are emergencies, there is suffering, and there are countless decisions about who gets help and who doesn’t. While we do have a few incredible volunteers, the reality is that this is essentially two people pouring their time, energy, finances, hearts, and souls into an endless fight that often takes everything we have.
We are judged for what we do, criticized for what we cannot do, accused of lying, stealing, and not having compassion. All of that is especislly hurtful when the people making those accusations cannot see the nights we don't sleep, the tears we hide, the animals we hold while they take their final breaths, or the ones whose lives we fight desperately to save.
This post isn't about asking for praise, or sympathy, or money…It is about honesty. It is about letting you see the side that doesn't make it into pictures and happy adoption posts.
There is heartbreak here, there is exhaustion, there is grief.
We simply ask for understanding and for all our supporters and followers to know that if we go quiet for a little while, we aren’t giving up. We are simply gathering the pieces and regrouping so that we can keep doing what we set out to do.
Rest peacefully, sweet Lovey.
Rest peacefully, beautiful Benjamin.
Angie and Jess
Videos and pics in comments if you want yo see more about Benjamin
