Pam’s Story
Scared and confused, Pam, a little old cat of 18 years of age, was surrendered to the San Antonio city animal shelter. With only 3 days to be adopted by someone until she would be euthanized, Bear Den Cat Sanctuary stepped up to rescue this sweet, little brown tabby.
The Sanctuary was not the very best place for Pam as she is an old and friendly cat…much different than the big feral Tom cats who reside here. But we couldn’t allow Pam to be euthanized simply because she was old.
Since we don’t adopt cats out at the Sanctuary, a different opportunity arose to find Pam a more suitable environment.
How Pam Met Mel
A wonderful woman in the community involved in cat rescue reached out to the Sanctuary. She asked if we had any friendly cats in our care and if so, could we please trade them to her in exchange for 2 permanent feral cats who she rescued.
I assumed she would prefer cute kittens for this exchange as they would likely be easier to adopt out. I asked her if she would consider an elderly and very sweet cat for part of this exchange.
Mel excitedly stated she loves little old cats and would be sure to find an extra special home for Pam. The exchange was made and Mel took the lovely friendly cats who we pulled from the kill shelter to her home.
Pam’s Forever Home
Mel has a transformed room in her home that serves as a cat foster haven and additionally has a catio attached to the rear of her house for the cats to have access to the outdoors while being protected.
One by one each of the cats in Mel’s care were adopted out to wonderful homes. Everyone was adopted except for Pam.
I called Mel and asked her if she’d like me to take Pam back to the Sanctuary and her reply was definite….”Oh no,” Mel said. Pam is in her forever home. “I have fallen in love with Pam and I will make sure she has the time of her life for the time that remains.”
True to her word, Mel gave Pam an incredible life. She took her for walks in her lush garden on a harness. She found toys that excited Pam to play like a kitten! Mel sent videos and pictures of Pam and I had never seen this happy and fun side of her!
Pam was truly thriving in Mel’s care. She was being treated like the beloved cat that she deserved to be all along.
Medical Struggles
Not long after, Mel noticed Pam was using the litter box more frequently. She took her to the vet and they changed her diet and prescribed a medication for a UTI. This regimen seemed to be effective for a time but then Pam appeared to be uncomfortable and seemed to struggle to urinate.
Mel took Pam to the vet again who conducted further tests and confirmed the worst…Pam had inoperable bladder cancer.
She was given a steroid and other medications to keep her comfortable. Mel stayed positive and was determined to continue to spend quality time with Pam and love her through this illness. Pam slept with Mel, had a bed next to Mel’s computer and because Mel worked from home, Pam was frequently a quiet guest during work zoom calls!
Making A Hard Decision
When Pam became incontinent, Mel bought her diapers. When Pam woke up at night uncomfortable, Mel got up to care and comfort her. Mel kept me posted on Pam throughout this process and finally let me know that Pam was no longer comfortable. Even with medications and constant care, Pam was hurting and starting to suffer.
As anyone who has loved an animal knows, the hardest decision a person can make is when to give the gift of mercy and kindness to put a beloved pet to sleep. With tears and heartache, Mel knew it was Pam’s time. I asked if she wanted me to take Pam to the vet if it would be too difficult for Mel. She declined and said she wanted to be the one to say goodbye to Pam. Heartbroken, Mel released Pam from her broken and cancer-ridden body to cross the rainbow bridge.
Pam Will Be Missed
I called Mel to thank her for giving Pam the best months of her life and giving this little cat a second chance at life after being discarded to the city kill shelter. Mel said Pam was a gift to her and was always meant to be part of her story.
Later that day, I looked at Mel’s Facebook page. I was amazed! Mel created the most heartwarming video montage of photos and videos of Pam set to music. I could not believe the number of pictures and videos Mel had of Pam in this short time.
The memorial featured Pam playing, walking in the garden, joining a zoom call with Mel, eating her favorite food, sleeping, wearing diapers and being loved on by Mel. It was a life that every cat and dog would dream of.
In the caption of Pam’s memorial on Facebook, Mel wrote:
“We said goodbye to our sweet Pam today! She was so dearly loved. From the time that I first met her I knew she would stay here with us. I so wish we would have had more time with her. She was so special to me. I loved everything about her.”
The absolute unconditional love and devotion Mel showed to this old, sweet and discarded tabby cat, is nothing short of a glimpse of the divine.
