Torti came to 4Paws on Valentine’s Day 2013 and a week later left behind a trails of broken hearts. She had arrived to a shelter on New Year’s Day as a stray with her fur matted and extremely underweight. She had a rodent ulcer on her tongue but it didn’t stop her from lapping up the food the shelter staff gave her. The shelter ran bloodwork for her and everything checked out fine. After a month and a half at the shelter, she came to 4Paws, after much interest from people interested in fostering her. 4Paws volunteers were optimistic in seeing this 3.7lb sweetie pie put some weight on and see better days, and ultimately find a forever home. Unfortunately, within a week Torti died overnight at the vets office due to multiple organ failure. The time she was left abandoned and neglected on her outside and on her own, had left her in dire condition she could not bounce back from. Rest in peace little angel…many tears were cried for you.  Leslie

Murphy died in August 2012 at the age of 3-1/2. His family was rescued when he was about 3 months old, and he, his mom, and three of his littermates came to live with me. His mom Maura and sister Mackie were eventually adopted, but Murphy and his brothers Copper and Pepper stayed on. Murphy showed no signs of illness. I woke up one morning with him sleeping on top of me, as usual; we played for a few minutes, as usual; and then when I got out of the shower he was gone. He was a remarkably cheerful guy, always ready to play or snuggle, with a huge purr. Murphy-Smurf, I’m grateful that you spent most of your life with me. I always told you not to be so shy at adoption fairs, because no one else would see how great you were, but then I was always happy to take you home with me again. I’m honored that you made me your person, and I’m trying to remember the lesson you tried to teach me: life is short and precious. Your brothers and I love you and miss you.                                       Leslie

My littlest kitten, left on the doorstep late one night.
Whose cries woke me before mornings’ light.
So small, so sick, with a broken heart.
I tried to heal you, to love you, but your life was cut short.
No one gave you a chance, but I believed that you were worth saving.
You grew and you learned how to purr.
You played and you knew a full belly.
You were beautiful to me, with ragged brown hair. Not even 2 pounds but with spirit to spare.
Just two months we had, but forever you will touch me.
My littlest kitten, gone to cat heaven.                   Kathleen

We miss you, the kids miss you, and your brother Houdini misses you too. The house isn't the same without you, and I'm still startled when I turn a corner and you're not in any of your usual places. You were a gentle giant who let the kids crawl all over you, not complaining once (in fact I think you loved it!) Thanks for being such a good boy. I'm honored that we got to be your "forever home"....I only wish forever had been longer.  Dana

Mo was a great cat. He was a patient, affectionate, and tolerant guy. He loved his people. We will miss you Mo.   

Sandy died this morning.  She was a beautiful, silly girl who loved boxes even when they didn't quite fit and enjoyed chasing her tail.  She greeted everyone who came into the house and was so sweet and affectionate. I will miss her helping me make the bed, waking up with all 11 pounds laying on my chest, hearing her meow like a little lamb.  I will miss those huge eyes and those huge puffy paws and snuggling my face into all that soft fur.  She was only 10.  I can't believe my little Beanie is gone so soon.  

It is with a heavy heart I want to tell you that I had to put Suzette to sleep on Saturday, December 10, due to some health issues that could not be treated.  I adopted Suzette in February 2007.  She was a great companion to me and had a great personality and loved me unconditionally.  I will miss the way she would come in and wake me up in the morning...jumping on and off the bed until I would get up.  I will also miss the way I used to hold her and she would purr against my neck.  She wasn't like any other cat I have owned...always wanting to be around people and always wanting to be petted.  It's quiet here in my apartment now, and I know someday, that I will come back to Four Paws and adopt another cat.  I just need some time to grieve.  Thank you for being there and taking care of all the cats that need rescuing.  I would never have found Suzette!!!  Linda Sue

Miss Ginny (aka to 4PAWS Cat Rescue as Twi-Lite Motel Kitty) It is with a great deal of sadness, and not a few tears, that I report the passing of Miss Ginny (February 2000 - November 27, 2011). Ginny had been fighting late stage renal failure since early July of this year but Saturday she took a downturn and by late Sunday afternoon it became all too obvious that her time had come. We adopted, or maybe more correctly she picked us, in early November 2000 when we saw her in a PetCo in Herndon, Virginia as part of a cat rescue. Asked for a name we immediately named her Virginia but quickly came to call her Ginny or GinGin. Miss Gin had been rescued by a construction worker who took her in his motel room every night when he came home from work. His only transportation was a Harley motorcycle so when his job was over and it was time to move on he turned her into the 4PAWS Rescue. He never told them what he called her but left his temporary address so the rescue called her Twi-Lite Motel Kitty. Ginny was always there for us from somehow instinctively knowing we'd escaped the 9/11 Pentagon attack to nursing my wife and I through surgeries. While she never had a litter of her own she gladly took on two other rescue kittens, Maxine in 2005 and Tabatha in 2010, and "raised" them. We all will miss her terribly but know she'll be waiting for us like she always has when we came home. - Randy 

Donovan had to be one of the sweetest cats ever. He was named for Donovan Leitch, who sang, "Mellow Yellow," because he was so mellow. He adored anyone who would pet him, and he got along with every other cat he met. I even called him the uncle of one litter of four kittens I fostered because he looked out for them as they grew up. I was honored to have him live with me for over two years. I loved him, and I miss him. - Leslie 

My foster baby Edna passed away this week, and it was definitely such a heart wrenching time for me as I was in Florida on vacation when she left this earth!  My other "babies" were with her, and my oldest Sniper was right by her side according to my girlfriend and cat sitter Stephanie!  I didn't have Edna for very long, and she did not want anything to do with leaving the house for an attempt at an adoption fair, so she settled in, and slowly melded in with my other four babies!  She loved to pounce on my feet when I went in to feed her, and loved to splash about in her water bowl as well.  I will definitely miss her very sweet little gray face and those gorgeous big green eyes, but feel very blessed for the time I had with her for almost two years!   Love You Edna Girlie... Your Foster Mommy, Dawne 

Noel was rescued by a stroke of fate from Spotsylvania shelter when the original cat the group was going to take was not located.  He foster mom and rescuer both instantly feel in love with her and were glad to give her the opportunity to have freedom and love.  She was dainty girl that enjoyed human companionship and just the chance to have a break from the shelter.  She liked to lounge in a cat bed and look out the window and just watch the world go by.  It seemed just as soon as Noel came to us she was gone.  Only a month after coming to 4Paws, Noel passed away under anesthesia on 05/24/2010 when going to the vet for dental surgery for several broken teeth that she had before being rescued.  It was evident that Noel had a hard life before coming to 4Paws.  Even though she wasn’t in our care for very long, we were glad to give her a nice life for a brief period of time before she passed.  Florence

My beloved foster cat Gracie came to me 2 years ago when she was found in WV as a stray, neglected and alone, with no much hope to hang on too.  4Paws immediately arranged for veterinary care and got her up to the best health possible, with her age and hyperthyroid condition taken into consideration.  During the next 2 years Gracie was overlooked by many potential applicants, that were afraid the commit to this sweet girl, for fear of her not having many more years of life left to share.  There loss was my gain.  Gracie and I have many wonderful memories, lounging on the sofa together, and watching TV.  Gracie loved to sleep next to me every night in bed and boy did she make my cat jealous.  The funny thing is my cats were terrified of this tiny 4 lb cat!  I will never forget the impact Gracie had on me.  She gave me a newfound respect for senior companion animals.  Although Gracie was not my own cat, I loved her as if she were and will always value time we had together. Gracie passed away due to hyperthyroidism on 04/20/2010.  Florence

To the brave Mbuna, Betta & Guppy - You have left us with wonderful memories, and an emptiness remains in our home without you...Laura & Gloria