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Memory
-Helen Morrison, Board President
Beginning in December, every time I come to the Shelter, especially as the daylight is waning, I walk over to the Memorial Tree and just have a quiet moment, standing in front of it, gazing at all the tiny lights. There are red lights, blue lights, green, yellow, orange lights, and this year, a string of white lights winding up through the outer branches.
There are 93 colored lights on the tree this year. The most ever.
Each represents a beloved pet (and an occasional beloved human) that has passed away, whose “energy had become something else” as Dr. Sally says. Each light is a being that filled someone’s heart, with love and care. Each light filled someone’s soul with precious memories.
We all know how that feels, the gifts that a pet has brought, and how hard the loss is.
We also all understand how the loss, though the sting never quite goes away, softens into smiles and sweetness in thinking about funny little things they might have done, challenges they may have had, those endearing little cuddles, snuggles, quirks they had.
It is so nice to take a moment to really let those feelings in. Gazing at the Memorial Tree does that.
I think about how I choose the light colors for my cat memories. I chose red for Earl, who even when he was declining, he had a wonderful red coat that kept him warm.
Memory
-Helen Morrison, Board President
Beginning in December, every time I come to the Shelter, especially as the daylight is waning, I walk over to the Memorial Tree and just have a quiet moment, standing in front of it, gazing at all the tiny lights. There are red lights, blue lights, green, yellow, orange lights, and this year, a string of white lights winding up through the outer branches.
There are 93 colored lights on the tree this year. The most ever.
Each represents a beloved pet (and an occasional beloved human) that has passed away, whose “energy had become something else” as Dr. Sally says. Each light is a being that filled someone’s heart, with love and care. Each light filled someone’s soul with precious memories.
We all know how that feels, the gifts that a pet has brought, and how hard the loss is.
We also all understand how the loss, though the sting never quite goes away, softens into smiles and sweetness in thinking about funny little things they might have done, challenges they may have had, those endearing little cuddles, snuggles, quirks they had.
It is so nice to take a moment to really let those feelings in. Gazing at the Memorial Tree does that.
I think about how I choose the light colors for my cat memories. I chose red for Earl, who even when he was declining, he had a wonderful red coat that kept him warm.
I think of Dozer, our physically challenged boy, whom Christine chose orange for, in memory of his orange and white fur attire.
There is actually a string of white lights on the tree, winding all up through, that Rod put on, in memory of Cosmos. Cosmos was our over 20 year old buff orange boy who had multiple health issues and was on Hospice at the Shelter for 9 months. He loved it there, and especially loved Rod as his companion and caretaker. Cos passed away almost immediately after the Total Eclipse…and went into the great Beyond, so fitting for his name. Somehow, a full string winding through all the other love-sparkles on the tree seemed fitting.
When folks buy a light for the Memorial Tree, they often leave a message which we post on our website. These messages are so full of love…and I want to share them with you….
2024 Memorial Tree Lights are in memory of...
In memory of Taz, The Brave.
In memory of Sven, The Wise. I miss our nightly audiobook time.
In memory of Mousie, The Sweet.
In memory of Jewels, Master Bread Maker.
In Memory of Domino, Maggie Mae, Max, Studley, Kirby Girl, Jade, Otto, Mira, and all those that have touched our hearts in one way or another.
In memory of Mr. Lincoln our California boy and Miss Trixi the most loyal loving dog ever. with love from Mum and Pup
In loving memory of Poudah. You will always be in my heart; we miss you every day. Joyce, Chloe, Cinco, Skylar & Bear
In memory of our precious little girl, Ashley. We miss you every day & love you forever. Mommy & Marky
In Memory of Nemo Cat. Will love and miss you forever.
In memory of Peanut. Our hearts are broken. We miss you so much.
In memory of Sarah, Jacob, Zoe and thanks for Abby and Amy
In memory of Timoshka and Shoes
In memory of all our sweet kitties: Fritz, Boo Boo, Molly, Sophie and Penny. The Turner family.
This lightbulb is in memoriam of our sweet Phoebe; your presence is deeply missed, we remember your tortitude with lots of love.
In memory of: Mittens, TJ, Leo, Callie, Charlie & Millie, Love Mom
In memory of Jasmin, Munchie, Freeway and Tilly
rest peacefully Maggie♥️
In Memory of Gunsmoke, Titus and Ducky, and thankful for Peter and Evelyn
For my kitty Kupo
In Memory of my boy Major, faithful companion and friend
Lots of love to Cosmos and our sweet little Boo
In memory of my Ranger. I love you so much.
In memory of Nina Lou, Lizzie and Sophia. I love and miss all of you.
In loving memory of our cat Toby. We lost you last week (11/24/24) but miss you so much. We love you so much. You will be missed on the porch laying on your back. Mary and Gary
In memory of Milo, after 8 years we still miss your playing and trying to catch bugs flying on the deck.
In loving memory of Wednesday and Puggsley - our beautiful siamese cats. We miss you both.
In loving memory of Perl, we miss you every day.
With gratitude for and in memory of Pilots N Paws pilot Seuk Kim and Lisa the puppy
For Laszlo and the joy and laughter he brought to our lives.
In memory of our big boys, Smudge and Oreo. We miss you every day. With love, the Mellert family
For Baby Boo, whose time was very short but whose life was safe and sweet.
In Memory of Tugi, who lit up the Shelter with love.
For our very precious Obi Wan Kenobi, who was one of the kitty loves of my life.
For Micky, our big, bobtail tabby boy.
For our very unique, quirky Dozer, whose star burned bright and glorious.
For our very elderly gentleman, Cosmos, who brought joy and love to the Shelter.
Thanks for the Memories
In memory of Buddy, who taught us a lot during his hospice time. And his sweet mamadog cousin Misha.
for Puffy, my 1st. "husband" (It's a great story)
for Fluffy, a beautiful long-haired girl
for Sundance, my best pal in my 20's
In memory of Chico and Shep
In memory of BT and Buffy
For Nora, the Lost
For Tormund, the Fearless
For Toothless, the Resilient
For my little orange Bulldozer
In memory of all the beloved cats I have had over the years.
So, we let these precious beings into our lives and they fill our hearts with love. And even though it is so very hard to lose them, I cannot imagine not having them in my life. I am sure you feel that way, as well.
And The Memorial Tree brings that all home, in such a gentle, precious way.