Hi Ingrid, just wanted to share how a Tortioseshell affected the lives of my wife and I.
Shadow The Cat: Her Life And Times
Shadow Breathes Her Last:
Shadow the Cat died in Linda’s arms on the morning of Holy Saturday, 2025. She was 14 years old. Shadow had thrown up a couple of times through the night. It had happened before. Like many cats she would eat grass, and a day later she would vomit. When Linda and I got up she was next to us for a little while, but then went back under the bed. She came out a little later and I picked her up and put her on the bathroom sink so she could get some water. She fell backwards onto the toilet seat. Luckily it’s covered with carpet. But it was obvious even to me. She was dying. I put her back on the floor and she stumbled to a corner. Shadow was always so regal. It was excruciating to see her like this. I read later her raspy voice at the end is what’s called a “Death Rattle”. Seeing Shadow lose control of her faculties, seeing death taking over, seeing her delirium in her last moments on earth tore at my heart. I had an ischemic stroke several years before. It can cause intense emotional reactions to sad moments. Linda stayed with her to the end about an hour later. Now I know many people say their cat is special and like one of the family. But the stuff that follows is pretty unique to Shadow.
Linda Meets Shadow:
I had been battling mice and tree rats for years. They had been stealing cheese right out of the traps with no injuries. One summer a rodent of some kind was getting into our house in the early morning hours. Munched Lemons on the kitchen counter no less. Enough was enough. I told Linda to go to the SPCA and get us a cat. Linda met two cats and chose Shadow. I think Shadow knew she was not rooming at a five star hotel so she turned on the charm. The tech at the SPCA told Linda that at one time Shadow did have a home, but was abandoned some time during the financial crisis that started in 2008. I think that was a factor in the special bond that developed between Linda and Shadow. Linda was always telling me about unconditional love. I was like, whatever, we need to go back to work. Let the cat do her job and kill vermin. I figured Shadow would last a year or two before getting run over by a car. Shadow was with us for 14 years. She never went near traffic. Shadow knew how to live a good life.
Shadow Meets Blue:
Shortly after Linda adopted Shadow the cat, we found, Blue the puppy. We were driving around Dunlap, which is near Hume Lake. Even though the rule was we would not adopt a male dog it was impossible for Linda to leave Blue behind. $50 later and Blue was on the way to his new home. I think it was springtime so it wasn’t that cold. Wendy our dog was still around so Blue had plenty of company. After a few weeks it was time to train Blue on the leash. From the living room window Shadow saw Linda leaving with Blue. Shadow confronted me in the hallway and went nuts, “Where is she going? Why is she with him? Are they coming back?! I don’t like this one bit!!!!!!” For a moment I understood cat. Thereafter, when Linda walked Blue, we saw Shadow sitting on top of the front yard fence scowling, but under complete control.
Shadow Protects Linda:
Linda had this friend, Stacy. She does EBay and Etsy. Her house is filled with odd ball stuff. For some reason she wanted to borrow $400 from Linda. I’m not having it. I tell Linda no way. So Stacy shows up at our house unannounced on a Sunday morning. Who visits unannounced and early on Sunday morning? Anyway she’s talking to Linda in the TV room about her business and Shadow starts in with her. I can only describe it as hostile meowing. Not particularly loud, but the message is clear, “Leave”. So Stacy goes into the front room and Shadow follows her and continues the meowing. I can’t believe what I’m seeing and hearing. Stacy starts arguing with Shadow and Shadow is not backing down. Stacy took her things and left. Shadow knew that she was up to no good.
Returning For Good To Be With Linda and Shadow:
I was working on the East Coast from 2018 to late August 2023. I would call Linda every morning at 7am PST. She would be on the couch in the front room with Shadow next to her. When I came home to stay it was summer. I would go outside first thing to work on the yard. Once it was 11am it got too hot to work outside. So I was in and out when Linda and Shadow were in the front room with coffee. After about a month Shadow caught me one morning in the bathroom and started scratching the door with a slight growl for good measure. This went on for three days. I finally broke the code. At our house Shadow insisted we start the day together. Up until we lost Shadow, everyday started in the front room with morning coffee and the cat.
Shadow Teaches Everyone a Lesson:
Linda would travel annually with her bestie, GFF Terry Solis. After a day or two of Linda being gone you could see the effects on Shadow. At night she would sit on the back yard fence for hours staring at the sky. During her afternoon naps you could see the pain on her face. I would send photos to Linda for a laugh. After each trip, upon returning to our house, Linda would call Shadow who would run to the front door, scold Linda, and then walk away. After about a half hour she would be back on Linda’s lap. Last Thanksgiving we went to her sister’s in Chino, CA. Another friend of Linda’s, Terry Fontana, took care of Shadow while we were gone. When we got back, Linda as usual, immediately called for Shadow, but Shadow did not appear. We unpacked and kept calling for Shadow. After about 15 minutes Linda looked under the bed in our room. Shadow was tucked away in a spot we couldn’t reach. I said she was okay. Let her come out on her own time. Linda was worried and somehow moved the bed cushion to get to Shadow. She took her to the hallway. Shadow began to limp badly. It looked like a broken hind leg. Linda began to panic. We talked about going to Tulare-Kings Emergency Veterinary Services. It was Sunday so our family vet was closed. Linda called Terry who came right over. The three of us watched Shadow limp around the family room as we tried to figure out if the leg was really broken. Linda is now pretty panicked. She blurted out, “What if the leg is broken and it gets infected?!” Then, in a fright, Linda says out loud, “That cat has always been there for me! I will never leave her again!” At that moment Shadow effortlessly jumped onto one of the barstools, sauntered over to another, and curled up in a ball.
A Theology:
I believe, immediately after death, souls have a day or so for God to transition them properly for heaven. I remember my Mom had plenty to say to me the night she passed. It’s not exactly Purgatory. I prefer to call it The Perfectory. Shadow, on Saturday night, let me know she wanted Linda and me to be happy. My mom chimed in also. I could hear her complaining to Mary that I wasn’t so shook up when she passed. Mary had had me covered. She said, “Margaret, not to worry, it’s mostly the stroke.”
A New Realm:
The morning of Easter Sunday would start our first day without Shadow. Linda was asleep. My emotions still rubbed raw, I made coffee around 5:30am. We have about 20 coffee mugs to choose from in the cabinet. One of my usual mugs was in the dishwasher. So I just reached in the cabinet and grabbed a mug. Once I turned it toward me I saw a cat’s face on it with a perturbed look. “Good Morning” was printed under the cat’s sullen expression. Shadow had a great sense of humor. She’d play, “Catch Me If You Can” with CJ, our Great Grandson, every time he came to the house. At 6 months old he was fascinated with Shadow and crawled after her for hours. Whenever CJ gave up the chase she would turn, walk right by him, and the chase was back on. Linda always makes the morning coffee. I had never seen or used the cat mug before.
She Tried to Tell Us:
So why did I go through this exercise? We’re talking about a cat, right? Just a cat. Well, I am not a portrait painter and I need a way to move on. Linda says I keep most people at a distance. Not so with Shadow. Most mornings Shadow would sit with Linda for several minutes. Shadow would then jump off the couch and sidle up next to me. She made sure I wasn’t left out of the daily snuggle. Toward the end Shadow tried to tell us it was coming. She had lost a lot of weight. Instead of sleeping on our bed she slept under it. Early mornings she would growl for no apparent reason. Worst of all she wouldn’t sit next to us for coffee. She would stay just out of reach. Linda knew her time was short. I just thought she’d carry on, infirmity be damned.
Lamentations:
Since grieving is not completed without a Bible verse I’ve got one to close this out. In Revelation 5:13, the last of the apostles, sees all of creation at The Great Gathering praising God:
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!”
What else is there to say after that? Shadow will be waiting for Linda. She’ll show her all the wonderful things to see in heaven. Why not? Balaam’s donkey could talk. Did good work for God (Nos 22: 31-39). Shadow was a Tortoiseshell. Unusual genetics. They say they have a thing called, “Tortitude”. But, that’s a whole other story.
Hi Ingrid, just wanted to share how a Tortioseshell affected the lives of my wife and I.
Shadow The Cat: Her Life And Times
Shadow Breathes Her Last:
Shadow the Cat died in Linda’s arms on the morning of Holy Saturday, 2025. She was 14 years old. Shadow had thrown up a couple of times through the night. It had happened before. Like many cats she would eat grass, and a day later she would vomit. When Linda and I got up she was next to us for a little while, but then went back under the bed. She came out a little later and I picked her up and put her on the bathroom sink so she could get some water. She fell backwards onto the toilet seat. Luckily it’s covered with carpet. But it was obvious even to me. She was dying. I put her back on the floor and she stumbled to a corner. Shadow was always so regal. It was excruciating to see her like this. I read later her raspy voice at the end is what’s called a “Death Rattle”. Seeing Shadow lose control of her faculties, seeing death taking over, seeing her delirium in her last moments on earth tore at my heart. I had an ischemic stroke several years before. It can cause intense emotional reactions to sad moments. Linda stayed with her to the end about an hour later. Now I know many people say their cat is special and like one of the family. But the stuff that follows is pretty unique to Shadow.
Linda Meets Shadow:
I had been battling mice and tree rats for years. They had been stealing cheese right out of the traps with no injuries. One summer a rodent of some kind was getting into our house in the early morning hours. Munched Lemons on the kitchen counter no less. Enough was enough. I told Linda to go to the SPCA and get us a cat. Linda met two cats and chose Shadow. I think Shadow knew she was not rooming at a five star hotel so she turned on the charm. The tech at the SPCA told Linda that at one time Shadow did have a home, but was abandoned some time during the financial crisis that started in 2008. I think that was a factor in the special bond that developed between Linda and Shadow. Linda was always telling me about unconditional love. I was like, whatever, we need to go back to work. Let the cat do her job and kill vermin. I figured Shadow would last a year or two before getting run over by a car. Shadow was with us for 14 years. She never went near traffic. Shadow knew how to live a good life.
Shadow Meets Blue:
Shortly after Linda adopted Shadow the cat, we found, Blue the puppy. We were driving around Dunlap, which is near Hume Lake. Even though the rule was we would not adopt a male dog it was impossible for Linda to leave Blue behind. $50 later and Blue was on the way to his new home. I think it was springtime so it wasn’t that cold. Wendy our dog was still around so Blue had plenty of company. After a few weeks it was time to train Blue on the leash. From the living room window Shadow saw Linda leaving with Blue. Shadow confronted me in the hallway and went nuts, “Where is she going? Why is she with him? Are they coming back?! I don’t like this one bit!!!!!!” For a moment I understood cat. Thereafter, when Linda walked Blue, we saw Shadow sitting on top of the front yard fence scowling, but under complete control.
Shadow Protects Linda:
Linda had this friend, Stacy. She does EBay and Etsy. Her house is filled with odd ball stuff. For some reason she wanted to borrow $400 from Linda. I’m not having it. I tell Linda no way. So Stacy shows up at our house unannounced on a Sunday morning. Who visits unannounced and early on Sunday morning? Anyway she’s talking to Linda in the TV room about her business and Shadow starts in with her. I can only describe it as hostile meowing. Not particularly loud, but the message is clear, “Leave”. So Stacy goes into the front room and Shadow follows her and continues the meowing. I can’t believe what I’m seeing and hearing. Stacy starts arguing with Shadow and Shadow is not backing down. Stacy took her things and left. Shadow knew that she was up to no good.
Returning For Good To Be With Linda and Shadow:
I was working on the East Coast from 2018 to late August 2023. I would call Linda every morning at 7am PST. She would be on the couch in the front room with Shadow next to her. When I came home to stay it was summer. I would go outside first thing to work on the yard. Once it was 11am it got too hot to work outside. So I was in and out when Linda and Shadow were in the front room with coffee. After about a month Shadow caught me one morning in the bathroom and started scratching the door with a slight growl for good measure. This went on for three days. I finally broke the code. At our house Shadow insisted we start the day together. Up until we lost Shadow, everyday started in the front room with morning coffee and the cat.
Shadow Teaches Everyone a Lesson:
Linda would travel annually with her bestie, GFF Terry Solis. After a day or two of Linda being gone you could see the effects on Shadow. At night she would sit on the back yard fence for hours staring at the sky. During her afternoon naps you could see the pain on her face. I would send photos to Linda for a laugh. After each trip, upon returning to our house, Linda would call Shadow who would run to the front door, scold Linda, and then walk away. After about a half hour she would be back on Linda’s lap. Last Thanksgiving we went to her sister’s in Chino, CA. Another friend of Linda’s, Terry Fontana, took care of Shadow while we were gone. When we got back, Linda as usual, immediately called for Shadow, but Shadow did not appear. We unpacked and kept calling for Shadow. After about 15 minutes Linda looked under the bed in our room. Shadow was tucked away in a spot we couldn’t reach. I said she was okay. Let her come out on her own time. Linda was worried and somehow moved the bed cushion to get to Shadow. She took her to the hallway. Shadow began to limp badly. It looked like a broken hind leg. Linda began to panic. We talked about going to Tulare-Kings Emergency Veterinary Services. It was Sunday so our family vet was closed. Linda called Terry who came right over. The three of us watched Shadow limp around the family room as we tried to figure out if the leg was really broken. Linda is now pretty panicked. She blurted out, “What if the leg is broken and it gets infected?!” Then, in a fright, Linda says out loud, “That cat has always been there for me! I will never leave her again!” At that moment Shadow effortlessly jumped onto one of the barstools, sauntered over to another, and curled up in a ball.
A Theology:
I believe, immediately after death, souls have a day or so for God to transition them properly for heaven. I remember my Mom had plenty to say to me the night she passed. It’s not exactly Purgatory. I prefer to call it The Perfectory. Shadow, on Saturday night, let me know she wanted Linda and me to be happy. My mom chimed in also. I could hear her complaining to Mary that I wasn’t so shook up when she passed. Mary had had me covered. She said, “Margaret, not to worry, it’s mostly the stroke.”
A New Realm:
The morning of Easter Sunday would start our first day without Shadow. Linda was asleep. My emotions still rubbed raw, I made coffee around 5:30am. We have about 20 coffee mugs to choose from in the cabinet. One of my usual mugs was in the dishwasher. So I just reached in the cabinet and grabbed a mug. Once I turned it toward me I saw a cat’s face on it with a perturbed look. “Good Morning” was printed under the cat’s sullen expression. Shadow had a great sense of humor. She’d play, “Catch Me If You Can” with CJ, our Great Grandson, every time he came to the house. At 6 months old he was fascinated with Shadow and crawled after her for hours. Whenever CJ gave up the chase she would turn, walk right by him, and the chase was back on. Linda always makes the morning coffee. I had never seen or used the cat mug before.
She Tried to Tell Us:
So why did I go through this exercise? We’re talking about a cat, right? Just a cat. Well, I am not a portrait painter and I need a way to move on. Linda says I keep most people at a distance. Not so with Shadow. Most mornings Shadow would sit with Linda for several minutes. Shadow would then jump off the couch and sidle up next to me. She made sure I wasn’t left out of the daily snuggle. Toward the end Shadow tried to tell us it was coming. She had lost a lot of weight. Instead of sleeping on our bed she slept under it. Early mornings she would growl for no apparent reason. Worst of all she wouldn’t sit next to us for coffee. She would stay just out of reach. Linda knew her time was short. I just thought she’d carry on, infirmity be damned.
Lamentations:
Since grieving is not completed without a Bible verse I’ve got one to close this out. In Revelation 5:13, the last of the apostles, sees all of creation at The Great Gathering praising God:
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!”
What else is there to say after that? Shadow will be waiting for Linda. She’ll show her all the wonderful things to see in heaven. Why not? Balaam’s donkey could talk. Did good work for God (Nos 22: 31-39). Shadow was a Tortoiseshell. Unusual genetics. They say they have a thing called, “Tortitude”. But, that’s a whole other story.
Thank you for sharing Shadow’s story, Joseph. She sure sounds like she was (and is) a remarkable soul.
This is advice we all need. Everyone seems to be in such a hurry for everything lately.