At the end of March, Friends for Life recieved a call from a man who was fixing up a vacant house after the previous occupants were evicted. The people had left a cat locked in the house without any food, water or litter box. The cat was so incredibly friendly and affectionate - it was obvious that he had been somebody's baby. His handsome green eyes, bengal spots and golden tummy made him even more charming. After picking the cat up, Kristen, who founded and runs our Cat Foster Program, had him tested for FIV/FELV, which is routine for all of our foster cats. The new kitty, "Tommy," tested positive for FELV - feline leukemia. When she got the results she was very upset, as she was not sure if fostering an FELV positive cat would be an option since she has other cats and would have to separate them. After talking to the vet to weigh the risks, she decided she would have to make it work. Tommy was so young, healthy and full of life that euthanasia just was not an option. For several months Tommy did well, he was separate from the other cats, but still found ways to interact with them in an indirect way. This weekend, we received this note from Kristen:

Our handsome Tommy passed away this evening. He started refusing to eat anything yesterday and although he seemed comfortable and undisturbed by his illness, he detriorated quickly. I will always remember what a brilliant cat he was and smile at the fact that he never knew he was sick. Tommy fully enjoyed his life just like a healthy cat until right near the end. He was so sunny and optimistic! I'm glad we got the chance to show him how loved and appreciated he was. I don't know how anyone could move and leave him behind like his previous owners did and I always told him they must have had no other options. Like everything else in his short life, Tommy didn't seem to notice this minor setback and must have chalked it up to "the way things were," as I assume he did with the fact that he could only play with the other cats through the window panes. He loved doing this and when he first saw the other cats was really excited and impressed. He was really hopeful and content all the time.

All of us who are part of FFL mourn with Kristen. We believe all animals have value and deserve a chance to know love and joy, whatever their medical or physical conditions. Tommy was a very special cat who was lucky enough to find Kristen just when he needed her. She never let him down and gave him a lifetime of love and care in his short time with her.