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Tribute to Cosmos
-KAS Volunteers
Our 24 year old precious boy, Cosmos, passed away right after the total eclipse of the sun on April 8, 2024. He came to us on July 4, 2023…with so many life-threatening issues: liver failure, kidney failure, heart issues, thyroid trouble, IBD. He came from a homeless encampment, owned by an elderly gentleman, who realized that he couldn’t provide the medical care that Cosmos needed. It didn’t seem he would live long, but at least, we could give him safety and warmth and vet care for whatever time was left. And then….the time passed. He enjoyed the sweet attention of Rod, daily giving him fluids, special food and meds, taking him on walks around the Shelter, the two of them conversing as they went.
We had a new sign ready to be put on Cosmos’s door:
"Hi. My name is Cosmos and I am 24 years old. I'm in Hospice care and I'm still loving life, eating great, being spoiled by everyone. I love my daily walks and visits around the Shelter with my volunteer friend, Rod, who takes very special care of me!" -Dr. Sally
And then, 9 months from when he came to us, on April 8, 2024, late in the afternoon, Cosmos’s time with us came to an end. He was such an incredible gift in the life of the Shelter….
From Rod:
Our beautiful old boy Cosmos passed away this afternoon, it looks like he waited until the eclipse to go. I guess naming him Cosmos was just the right name for him.
He had some sort of either a blood clot or some other heart issue.
Sally was able to get there after being hung up in the gridlock from the eclipse traffic and he was peacefully euthanized. I was also there when he passed as was Christine N and Gwenn who were comforting him until the rest of us could get there.
I want to thank everybody who helped tend to him for so long and helped him have an enjoyable life while at the shelter. I know he was a problem sometimes with his poo issues, but we all hung in there for him.
He will be greatly missed. I will bury him in my rose garden tomorrow.
From Helen:
Rod, this is such a wonderful tribute to Cosmos.
When I think back to when Cosmos came to us on July 4 in 2023...we didn't think he would live long...maybe several weeks. He had so many issues....liver failure, kidney failure, hyperthyroid, maybe IBD or lymphoma. And yet... he has been with us for 9 months. And that is due to the good care from all of you...and Rod's daily visits and giving fluids and Sally's marvelous health adjustments. It is just remarkable.
When I think of Cosmos...he just stands out as so unique. I don't think I ever saw anything negative from him...no aggression, no grumpiness. Always just so happy to be alive, enjoying his walks around the Shelter, just so happy to be there....greeting folks who came in with his wonderful voice, wandering into the kitchen, hoping for a nice meal or just a good chat.
Though they are all very special, these kitties who pass through our Shelter, he is one who has made an impact, for sure.
He certainly has taught me a lot about patience and compassion and getting beyond things that were a challenge...for the sake of this beautiful boy.
I feel very privileged to have him in my life, our lives.
Our beautiful old boy Cosmos passed away this afternoon, it looks like he waited until the eclipse to go. I guess naming him Cosmos was just the right name for him.
He had some sort of either a blood clot or some other heart issue.
Sally was able to get there after being hung up in the gridlock from the eclipse traffic and he was peacefully euthanized. I was also there when he passed as was Christine N and Gwenn who were comforting him until the rest of us could get there.
I want to thank everybody who helped tend to him for so long and helped him have an enjoyable life while at the shelter. I know he was a problem sometimes with his poo issues, but we all hung in there for him.
He will be greatly missed. I will bury him in my rose garden tomorrow.
From Helen:
Rod, this is such a wonderful tribute to Cosmos.
When I think back to when Cosmos came to us on July 4 in 2023...we didn't think he would live long...maybe several weeks. He had so many issues....liver failure, kidney failure, hyperthyroid, maybe IBD or lymphoma. And yet... he has been with us for 9 months. And that is due to the good care from all of you...and Rod's daily visits and giving fluids and Sally's marvelous health adjustments. It is just remarkable.
When I think of Cosmos...he just stands out as so unique. I don't think I ever saw anything negative from him...no aggression, no grumpiness. Always just so happy to be alive, enjoying his walks around the Shelter, just so happy to be there....greeting folks who came in with his wonderful voice, wandering into the kitchen, hoping for a nice meal or just a good chat.
Though they are all very special, these kitties who pass through our Shelter, he is one who has made an impact, for sure.
He certainly has taught me a lot about patience and compassion and getting beyond things that were a challenge...for the sake of this beautiful boy.
I feel very privileged to have him in my life, our lives.
From Nancy R.:
I am so sorry about the loss of our Cosmos.
I am proud to be part of a shelter that took such remarkable care of him for the several months that we were blessed to be part of his life. So many of our volunteers tended to him with love on a daily basis, especially Rod who provided meds, fluids, snacks and most importantly love, every day.
I would say that Cos knew he was loved, and he chose such an incredible and special day to pass on.
Rest in Peace Cosmos.
We love you
And this from Rod, upon reflection, a week after Cosmos’s passing:
It was my privilege to help tend to Cosmos during his time at the Shelter. Along with the Morning
crew, Tuck In, Dr. Sally, and Andrea, we all gave him so much extra quality time. I went in every
afternoon and gave him Sub Q fluids and various meds, gave him an afternoon meal, and
walked around the lobby of the shelter with him. He loved it when I would sit in the big chair in
the lobby. He would come up for some snuggles after his walk. The morning and evening crews
also tended to him well even when he was having such a long bout with loose stool.
He was a great guy with a special personality. His will to live was so strong even with all the
adversities that he had been up against in his life. Besides the fact that he managed to live to
such an old age, he had health issues to deal with and was homeless in a homeless camp for a
while. He had such a positive outlook on life, always looking forward to getting something to eat
and his afternoon walkabout in the Shelter every afternoon.
I know he will be missed by all. I know I will for sure. It will be a while before I stop looking
towards his room when I walk into the Shelter to look for him in the window, calling out for some
attention and some food.
It was ironic and yet sweet that he passed right after the Eclipse with his name being Cosmos.
His will to live was very strong right up until the end. He was such a fighter all his life… to live
and try to thrive.
Being in the Shelter since Cosmos passed, there is this strange emptiness where Cosmos once
was…his face peering out his colony room window, his voice ringing out, his slow progressive
walk into the kitchen for a snack, his lay-back, mellow personna. That space, those memories
of Cosmos will be with us for a long time.
-Helen
I am so sorry about the loss of our Cosmos.
I am proud to be part of a shelter that took such remarkable care of him for the several months that we were blessed to be part of his life. So many of our volunteers tended to him with love on a daily basis, especially Rod who provided meds, fluids, snacks and most importantly love, every day.
I would say that Cos knew he was loved, and he chose such an incredible and special day to pass on.
Rest in Peace Cosmos.
We love you
And this from Rod, upon reflection, a week after Cosmos’s passing:
It was my privilege to help tend to Cosmos during his time at the Shelter. Along with the Morning
crew, Tuck In, Dr. Sally, and Andrea, we all gave him so much extra quality time. I went in every
afternoon and gave him Sub Q fluids and various meds, gave him an afternoon meal, and
walked around the lobby of the shelter with him. He loved it when I would sit in the big chair in
the lobby. He would come up for some snuggles after his walk. The morning and evening crews
also tended to him well even when he was having such a long bout with loose stool.
He was a great guy with a special personality. His will to live was so strong even with all the
adversities that he had been up against in his life. Besides the fact that he managed to live to
such an old age, he had health issues to deal with and was homeless in a homeless camp for a
while. He had such a positive outlook on life, always looking forward to getting something to eat
and his afternoon walkabout in the Shelter every afternoon.
I know he will be missed by all. I know I will for sure. It will be a while before I stop looking
towards his room when I walk into the Shelter to look for him in the window, calling out for some
attention and some food.
It was ironic and yet sweet that he passed right after the Eclipse with his name being Cosmos.
His will to live was very strong right up until the end. He was such a fighter all his life… to live
and try to thrive.
Being in the Shelter since Cosmos passed, there is this strange emptiness where Cosmos once
was…his face peering out his colony room window, his voice ringing out, his slow progressive
walk into the kitchen for a snack, his lay-back, mellow personna. That space, those memories
of Cosmos will be with us for a long time.
-Helen