Update on Butch, Cat of the Month, April 2007
Many readers will remember Butch, the winsome tabby shelter cat who stole so many hearts last year. Butch was a shelter cat in New Jersey who had been waiting for a loving forever home for two years, when I featured him as my Cat of the week on April 10th. After he won the Cat of the Month vote for April, though a miracle of the Internet, his photo and story caught the eye of a reader in Ohio. She was so taken by Butch's photo and his story that she contacted the shelter and started the long-distance adoption process. In July, Cheryl C. flew to the Friends of Wayne Shelter in Wayne N.J to take Butch home, and oh, what a party was had that day at the shelter. I received an email from Cheryl C. just before the anniversary of the time she first saw his photo, telling me how happy her whole family was with Butch and how he had enriched their lives. She wrote in part:
I'm sitting here thinking of when I saw Butch's picture on your site as the April 2007 Cat of the Month.
At the time I was not looking for a cat. We already had a full house,4 dogs and 2 cats but there was "something about him".
I thought of him often and wondered if he got a good home. One night in June I decided it was time to quit wondering if he got that good home and offer him ours if he was still available. To my surprise he had not been adopted! In fact I found out he had been at the Shelter not for 6 months but for 2 years! I was told up front that he did not like to be over stimulated, would never be a lap cat and liked to swat at people. Even knowing there may be issues with his behavior I was willing to give him a chance. I really felt like we were suppose to be together for some reason. In July I arranged to fly to New Jersey to pick him up and bring him here to Ohio to begin a new life in our household. Coincidentally he was relinquished to the Shelter in July of 2005. I have been amazed at how adaptable this little guy is. He is a sweetheart! He must be thankful for a loving home because he has become quite the lap cat, sleeps beside or on me at night and has become dog friendly. He has fit into our household and our hearts 100 percent. I can't thank you enough for giving Butch the exposure on your website that brought him to us.
The photo above is of Butch shortly after arriving in his new home.
Photo Credit: © Cheryl C.
This week, I received a sad update from Cheryl. Butch has kidney failure and his vet only estimates he has a month left. Cheryl is also taking Butch to a holistic veterinarian. She wrote, "I am doing whatever I can for him. His comfort and longevity with respect for his quality of life is our main goal right now. We love him so much and are devastated to know we have limited time together. Even knowing how brief our time together has and will be we will never regret the decision we made to adopt him."
I know my readers will join me in prayers and positive thoughts for Butch and his loving family.
Comments
My thoughts and love go to Butch. My cat, Honey, was in the shelyer for seven months before I adopted her. We have been together seven years with Mabel her fellow adoptee.
My prayers, love & hugs to Butch & to you. May the time you have left together be full of love.
My prayers to Butch and your entire family.It’s amazing how much love our pets bring to our families.
I adopted my Frosty when he was 3 1/2 years old. I, too, was not looking for a pet, but God sent Frosty to me. He filled my life with love and laughter. He died of renal failure (tainted pet food-related)March 2007 at the age of 11 years. My heart and prayers go out to you - even through the pain of loss, the gain of love is worth it!
I head the touching story about Butch. It is very sad and I am very sorry to hear about Butch’s health. Its good to know he found a forever home and is loved and happy. Take Care and enjoy as long a time you have your furry friend.
I am so sorry to hear about Butch. I remember reading his story last year–my husband and I even thought about taking a trip to adopt him, but Cheryl beat us to it. Instead we found Colby, also a shelter cat, who has so enriched our lives. Take care Butch.
Your cat Butch looks like our cat Borre. He sounds the same too — a real sweetheart. I hope he lives every day in hardly any pain right up to the end and I hope he lives longer, or the holistic person can treat him. He looks like a super sweetheart! Thank you for taking him into your life. Carla
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your furry family and especially Butch. What a blessing that he was able to spend time in a loving home. I lost my 15 year old Max in February to a brain tumor so I know how awful it is. When the time comes, try to remember that Butch will once again be happy & healthy at Rainbow Bridge, waiting for you.
It warms my heart to know Butch is in the right place at the right time during this time in his life(a very warm and loving home). Thank you for taking him into your home. I know the kitty angles are watching over Butch and doing everything they can to help him.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Cheryl and her family as they cope with Butch’s illness. I admire their tenacity to give him the best life they can for as long as they can. God bless you all.
Florence
I think Butch was meant to be with you! I too had a special little shelter cat who was with me for just a short time. Simba only lived for two years at my home but added so very much. He was a sweet, silly precious boy and I wouldn’t have missed one minute of our time together. I lost him very suddenly to FIP. I still think that he was brought into my life for a reason and I was brought into his too. He had love in his life when he needed it the most as does Butch.
I loved reading this update! I’m very glad that he has such a happy home, and I always love it when cats that “will never be lap cats” end up turning into total cuddlers
I am so sorry about your Butch. I feel kinda sick to my stomach right now. I hope you know that he will always be waiting for you in Heaven and he will never forget your kindness. As an Ex adoption Counselor at our local Humane Society I want to give you a huge “THANK YOU” for all that you have done and are doing. I will keep my fingers crossed for Butch’s survival.
You’re truly a wonderful to adopt Butch from such a far distance. I’m glad you’re going to a holistic vet — I believe in them. Hopefully, Butch’s good quality of life can be extended. I empathize about the kidney failure, as I’ve been there. My God bless Butch and give you strength. Just continue to love him.
My heart goes out to your family of pets and people.I lost my cat Mia 10 months ago to kidney failure. She was nearly 18 years old. She was with me before I ever had children and was like a child to me. My prayers are with you and Butch. On a happier note I just adopted a kitten from our local shelter on Tuesday. The joy of new life is something that we all needed. I believe that showing kindness to animals makes for a better family, and renforce that with my children all the time. Keep praying miricles happen everyday!
You were meant to adopt Butch, to give him a beautiful home, and to hold his furry paw while he is sick. This was all meant to happen because you are Butch’s guardian angel. May God bless you and Butch.
Oh, Cheryl…my heart goes out to you. We lost our Halton Animal Shelter “Special”, our 13-yr. old Chloe, just before Christmas, to kidney failure. I keep a picture of her with this saying of Abraham Lincoln: “It’s not the years in your life, but the life in your years” printed on it, on a table in the livingroom. No words will do at a time like this, but my prayers go out to you.
Good luck with Butch. It really hurts having to lose one of your furry family. I pray that Butch will survive and had a long life.
When I read that Butch had liver failure, I immediately found myself wondering what kind of cat food he has been eating…if any of you out there are giving your dogs or cats any pet food, even from the vet, that lists by-products on the ingredients, please STOP immediately. By-products are the unwanted parts of other animals or birds, sometimes collars, etc., all ground together…if you read anything on the web, like I did, you will be horrified. I now only buy my pets food that does not have by-products or preservatives listed in the ingredients.
One day at a time,….live in the moment with your baby. My thoughts and love are with Butch, you and your family.
Cheryl, I am keeping you and Butch in my prayers. i know how hard it is to watch what is happening to our pets. I know because my Darby had addisons and I had to put her to sleep at the age of only 9. mom and Dad have kept me updated on Butch (Bob and Sandy Healy) and I will continue to keep you and Butch my prayers. God Bless you for all the animals you have rescued.
Our thoughts and prayers are go out to you, at least he had a good home and time with you since hes been adopted and until he goes to the Bridge.
my prayers are with you! god bless you for what you have given Butch! there is something so special about shelter cats!! they love us soooo much. fingers and toes crossed for Butch!!
I have heard it said and do believe that cats choose US. There is a reason for eveything although we may not understand when it’s happening. Yours is a lovely story and thank you for sharing it. Butch has not only touched your lives but thousands through your story. Many tears and much thought has come to him. Good luck through his illness and may someday we understand. Butch chose you and Love lives forever.
I’m just reading this story Franny, and wonder if you have heard any news about Butch. Please try to let us know and hopefully it will be good news! PurrZ