Cynthia Bullock

June is Pet Preparedness Month and you’ll find some helpful tips elsewhere in the newsletter. But, June 10th is also World Pet Memorial Day, and who doesn’t have a special pet that remains in their heart long after they’ve left this earth? Obviously, Harley was one of them for me, but another that will remain in my heart forever is a Ginger Cat named Marmalade. 

Marmalade, and his sister, Ace, came to me as fosters at only eight weeks of age. I was running Dreampower Animal Rescue at the time and was asked by the Cat Program Coordinator if I could foster these two, who came to us from an abusive home. Of course, I agreed.

The two siblings had just been spayed and neutered, and during the procedure, the veterinarian discovered a cancerous growth on Ace’s head. She needed to be kept in foster care for a while to ensure the growth didn’t come back. Shortly after coming to my home, Marmalade, one of the most lovably klutzy kittens I’ve ever met, managed to break a hind leg.

I nursed the two back to health and fell in love along the way. My family adopted the siblings and had Ace until she was 17 years old and had developed multiple, serious health issues. Marmalade passed away quietly at home, just months before his 19th birthday. 

Every time I lose a fur baby, I say never again. But, the reality is there are far too many animals, like Ace and Marmalade, that need good homes and have so much love to give in return. Take care of the ones you have, and when they pass, open your heart and your home to another animal in need. It’s a wonderful way to honor the memory of those pets we’ve loved and lost.