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Sunshine enjoying her dinner one evening last spring.

SUNSHINE

Sunshine's story began 15 months ago...a yard sale was going on in the neighborhood on Saturday, September 22, 2007, and Jane Jones (names changed to protect the innocent) decided to participate.  During the incredibly busy day, no one noticed that one of her kitties, Musket, had escaped from their house!  Jane and her husband, John, did not realize that Musket was gone until later that evening.  Being extremely worried for her cat, Jane went outside to look for her on and off all night.  During one of those trips, Jane noticed a black and white kitty just hanging out in her back yard.  Since the neighborhood had its share of strays, it was not unusual to see a cat in the yards from time to time.

The black and white kitty would never venture far from Jane's house.  She spent her time in and around the back yard and under her next door neighbor's shed.  Jane began to leave food out for Musket, in hopes that she didn't wander off too far from home.  The food was also for the black and white kitty, who seemed so small and delicate and in need of some love and attention.  She had such a sweet nature about her that she just pulled at Jane's heart.  About a week before Musket ran off, Jane had to send another of her cats, Pooshang, off to Heaven.  Maybe this tiny kitty appeared at just the right moment to help Jane adjust to life without her.

Thankfully, Musket had her fill of adventure and returned home on Wednesday, September 26, 2007.  The tiny stray kitty remained as well.  Basically adopting Jane, John, and their daughter, Jessica, as her family, she called their back yard "home."  Since the kitty was now a permanent fixture, Jane named her Sunshine, which seemed to suit this sweet and gentle soul perfectly.

As the months progressed and the days became colder, Jane made a house for Sunshine that she lined with blankets and a pad that she would heat up in the microwave every night.  It soon became evident to all of us that Sunshine could not hear.  If anyone happened upon her and she was not looking directly at them, when she did finally notice, she was quite startled.  Everyone basically allowed her to do whatever she wanted and tried their best not to disturb her.  During one extremely cold spell last winter, Jane was able to get Sunshine in to her basement.  Sadly, it only lasted for a few days.  Jane longed for Sunshine to allow her to pet and hold her, but it was not to be.  All Sunshine wanted was to be outside, away from everyone, free to roam and investigate her surroundings on her own terms.  No one was going to tell this young lady how to live her life.

Maybe a car ride later after my nap...or maybe not.

There were plenty of stray cats in the neighborhood, but none held a candle to Sunshine.  Even though no one was able to get near her, she didn't feel like a wild animal.  Her eyes were absolutely the windows to her soul.  Every time she looked at you, she would have the sweetest expression on her face and then just go about her day.  It is hard to imagine that someone could have intentionally abandoned her in the neighborhood since she just suddenly appeared in Jane's yard that day.

As the days began to get warmer, Sunshine would be seen more and more frequently around the yards.  She also became more comfortable with her neighbors and would venture in to their yards as well.  It was not an uncommon sight on any given day that while Bill and Faith (names changed to protect the innocent) were sitting in their gazebo, Sunshine would wander by on her way to relax under their shed or enjoy some shade by a tree.  She would never disturb or dig up any of the plants and flowers growing everywhere.  She was just content to live among nature.

She also became familiar with Rich's car port and back steps.  She would often sit by his car, secretly wishing for a ride with the top down at some point perhaps?  On a few mornings, when Stacy would let Shyanne out, Sunshine would be sitting on Rich's steps and the moment she saw the huge doggie, she would scurry under the porch.  As the summer wore on, she also liked to use Rich's storage cabinet as a spot to nap.  It was probably due to the height advantage she had over any other animals passing through the yards.  Sunshine never ventured in to Stacy and Chuck's yard, though, possibly because she knew Shyanne may be able to corner her there and a scuffle might ensue.

 It wasn't until Stacy cleaned out Rich's flower bed for the season that Sunshine decided it would be a new favorite place to spend her time.  She could be seen sleeping there at any time of the day.  She would often be there most days when Stacy left for work.  Chuck and Rich would see her as well when they returned from work some evenings.  Sunshine would always have her meals, however, on Jane's small stoop, her "home base."

You do realize that this is now my spot, right?

Everyone always looked out for Sunshine.  When the days became colder several weeks ago, if Jane would see either Bill, Faith, Rich, Stacy or Chuck outside, the question of who saw Sunshine last would always be asked.  One of us usually saw her at some point every day.

Jane and her family went away for the Thanksgiving holiday.  As always, Jane asked Faith to babysit Musket and Maxwell, her indoor cats, and Sunshine, our outside kitty.  However, over the past week or so, no one really saw her.  It was decided that since the weather was so cold and rainy, Sunshine was probably spending her days under Rich's porch.

On Friday, November 28th, Faith went in to Jane's garage to place the heated pad in Sunshine's house.  She saw Sunshine laying there and when Sunshine saw her, she walked around Faith and went outside.  She then turned and looked at Faith and meowed.  That was probably the first time anyone had heard her speak.  Faith also noticed as the weekend progressed that Sunshine was not eating her food.

A closer look at an adorable and beautiful little girl.

On Monday, December 1st, while Jane was doing laundry, she saw Sunshine laying in her back yard.  She went outside to check on her.  As Jane walked closer, Sunshine tried to jump away from her and fell.  Jane noticed that the kitty did not seem quite like herself and her eyes were slightly yellow.  Sunshine just kept meowing at her.  Perhaps she was trying to tell Jane that she did not feel well and needed help.

Jane called Faith and together they decided to try and get Sunshine to a vet.  Jane called the vet's office a few blocks away, placed Sunshine in a carrier, and then she and Faith took the kitty a short time later.  They were told that Sunshine was probably 5 or 6 years old, was indeed a girl, and that her stomach was distended.  Most likely there was something wrong with either her liver or kidneys, and even under the best of circumstances, would have a long and hard road ahead of her.

Since Sunshine was an outdoor cat, giving her medications and special food would not be an easy task.  It was also uncertain if anything could be done to help her, so the difficult and heartbreaking decision was made to let Sunshine go to Heaven.  It is somewhat of a comfort that Jane, her daughter, Jessica, and Faith were with her at the end.  Sunshine did not die alone and without anyone knowing.  Instead, she was surrounded by some of the family that loved her.

A well deserved rest after spending the day exploring.

This little creature that wandered in to Jane's yard a little over a year ago and captured all of our hearts will be greatly missed.

How interesting is it that we all came to love this stray cat who would not allow anyone to get too close.  I hope she knows that she touched all of us in a very special and unique way.  We have lost a member of our family and it hurts, very badly.

This page is dedicated to you, Sunshine, to let you know how important you were to us.  Even though you were not my kitty, I really wanted people to know the story about how you and your "adoptive" mommy, Jane, found each other.

I hope that when you arrived in Heaven, you were met by my Minnie.  It was probably like looking in a mirror when you saw each other, since her markings are so similar to yours.  I actually thought you were her once when I saw you outside one day last winter shortly before Minnie died.  I even made Chuck go back inside our house to make sure while I tried to keep you from running away!  You probably thought I was crazy, right?  Well, you are together with her now, so go have a blast!

Precious girl, we will love and miss you forever!

The humans that loved you!

(as well as their furbabies)