Tuesday, June 30, 2015

To Be Loved: A Message Inspired by Tiger Tim


There's a new angel flying free and chasing dandelion fuzzies over grassy hills. Those of you that have been following the inspiring story of Tiger Tim, the orange cat surrendered to a NY shelter because his owner chose a new sofa over him, have likely heard the news.

Tiger Tim ended his courageous fight this past weekend in the most beautiful way any of of could ever hope to leave this world. At home, in the arms of someone who loved him deeply, with peace, compassion and dignity.

Tiger Tim - Magnificat Rescue
Tiger Tim - the cat that just wanted to be loved
There's just something about this sweet and trusting orange cat that struck a chord with us... and with people all over the world.  It's not his overnight celebrity status. In fact, we're often saddened when the death of someone famous consumes the public. We think about the unsung heroes. Those that live their life with a quiet humbleness. They may not be known to the world, but they are the world to someone who loves them.

Tiger Tim was not an internet meme. He didn't have his own YouTube channel or Facebook page. We think that's in part why his story is so special to us.

Saved from a high-kill shelter, he at first appeared to be dying of a broken heart. But in a matter of days, he was bright eyed, affectionate and sharing his love with shelter workers, medical staff and the whole world. He was soon diagnosed with cancer, though it was just so hard to believe given how full of life and love he was. Everyone want to believe in a miracle, but those caring for him knew it was only a matter of time.

Magnificat Rescue wrote on their Facebook page that "Tiger Tim's last days were probably the happiest in his life." And that's the message we're holding close to our hearts as we remember this special cat. To love. And to be loved.

We want to thank Tiger Tim's first foster mom who scooped him up from the high kill shelter, the caring volunteers at Magnificat Rescue and Rehoming, the dedicated medical staff that fought for him with all they had and his foster mom who filled his last days with love.

And to Tiger Tim - Bless you sweet boy, for reminding us what really matters. 



Adopt an adult cat
Do you have room in your heart and home for another cat? When you're ready, please consider adopting an adult cat from your local rescue shelter. You may not change the world, but you'll change the world for that cat.


Related links
Our first story about Tiger Tim: I Love You THIS Much
Facebook Page with all of Tiger Tim's updates: Magnificat Rescue and Rehoming
Donate to help Magnificat rescue more cats like Tiger Tim.


36 comments:

  1. We followed Tiger Tim's journey on Facebook, and we were so sad that he had such a short time to be loved.

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  2. Thank you.

    You put it so well, and we were so sorry he left so soon. He was amazing, and wonderful and ordinary and deserved every ounce of love and admiration from everyone. Such love, such a cat.

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  3. You have shared such kind words! Tiger tim was the cutest sweetest little kitty and I am so glad that he was so happy in his last few days!! <3

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  4. We've followed Tiger Tim's story from the beginning and are so sad that he had to go to the Bridge. At least he had love and kindness in his last days. He won the hearts of many, including ours.

    The Florida Furkids

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  5. We will go now and read the post on the Facebook page. How wonderful that Tiger Tim's last days were filled with love. May he run free and healthy forever.

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  6. We are glad he ended his life full of love .........

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  7. That precious little boy left tis worLd knowing he was dearly loved. Even tho his life on earth was not long in years, it was rich in love given him by the shelter people. For that we are grateful.

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  8. We are so glad Tiny Tim got the love he deserved at the end, we wish he could have had more time with a loving family instead of with sofa lady.

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  9. Thank you for sharing such beautiful sentiments about Tiger Tim. May he be at peace having known love and compassion. And may this collective movement inspire others to adopt an adult kitty.

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  10. Good Bye Tiger Tim. You touched so many lives and probably saved more than a few
    .
    I wanted to point out is Adult Cats are often a bargain. My Mistletoe had been spayed and was current on all her shots so the $35 adoption fee was a real deal. I know kittens are so cute it can curl your toes but we all grow up. In many ways Mistletoe is my friend as opposed to my "baby". While I never lack for cuddles and head bonks...and I'm sure any cat I encounter away from home knows I'm marked as hers, I like the fact that she is free with the advice,men, child rearing, hair styles...Mistletoe is always there to give her opinion. You just can't get all that from a kitten.

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  11. Fly free Tiger Tim... and thank you guys for sharing his story. If there is even one less Tiger Tim out there in the world because of it, all the better.

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  12. Beautiful post. Bless his sweet heart.
    Sue B

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  13. Thank you for your post, and for all the other Tiger Tim in the world. Purrs

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  14. We were so touched by Tiger Tim's story. We're sorry that there wasn't a better ending, but we're so glad his final days were filled with so much love. Paws up to Magnificat Rescue and his foster mom for everything they did for Tiger Tim. We will never forget him. And we purr that his story helps other older kitties find homes.

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  15. You made me cry. That is so sad, at least he felt love even for a brief time, it is so much more than some other kitties get.

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  16. we certainly hope that his legacy is that of love and adoption of adult cats. while the reason he was given up is horrible, we are glad he was given every chance possible for a better life

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  17. I wonder if his previous human didn't know he was sick and that couch excuse was just a story because she didn't want to pay the bills and deal with it.

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  18. I am so sad for Tiger Tim. I didn't know his story and just read your first post about him. My heart breaks for him that the owner he loved so dearly just callously discarded him when she preferred a new sofa over him. What goes round.......
    RIP handsome little ginger man.

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  19. He was loved the most when it mattered most - in the end. Fly free sweet boy.

    Cats of wildcat woods

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  20. When you did your first post on Tiger Tim we started following him on FB and eagerly looked forward each evening to the Daily Update on him. We were so full of hope...and maybe this is still a story of hope. Tiger Tim showed so many of us that it isn't the quantity of time it's the quality of time. He knew he was loved and cared for with compassion by people who were trying to help make it better for him and I know it's not good to give human emotion to cats but I think he was grateful. He grew into that new love and he gave it back. He gave it to all of us who fell so crazy in love with him. God bless you Tiger Tim. Until we meet again

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  21. I'd never hear of Tiger Tim but then again I've been offline doing 24/7 cat care. Must check it out.

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  22. May he and Chandler be up to mischief that warms their hearts and makes them happy

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  23. Such a beautiful tribute for that sweet soul. We know he felt the love he wanted so badly.

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  24. Not much makes me teary-eyed. But Tiger Tim certainly did. In his honor, I wish for a fair, kind, loving world for all cats. His hopeful, trusting face - I wanted so much to hug him!

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  25. I'm so glad to hear that Tiger Tim got to spend the last of his days being loved as he should have been all his life. As for the people that gave him up- the lack of value that people have for life is just astounding to me. Unfortunately it is a huge cultural problem that has led to a lot of devastating issues. At least Tiger Tim found love. That's what matters.
    -Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

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  26. We have followed Tiger Tim's story on Facebook and were so sad that he had to go. We are grateful, too, for everyone who showed him so much love.

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  27. What a precious little angel he was. He touched so, so many lives and I pray that he felt all of the love that was surrounding him. Bless those wonderful people that filled his last days with the adoration that he so deserved.

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  28. We're so glad that Tiger Tim had lots of love to the very end. His story has made us very sad but also proud that humans will stand by animals the way that Magnificat Rescue did. We hope his legacy is more adult cat adoptions.

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  29. That has been such a bittersweet story to follow. We're so very glad he spent his last days surrounded by love and good care.

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  30. We are said that Tiger Tim has gone. Happy he was surrounded by love at the end. Mum got both Derby and me as young adults, about 18 months old or so. She as no problems with adopting an adult and will do it again.

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  31. I´m glad Tiger Tim ended his life full of love <3 <3 <3

    XOXO

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  32. Poor Tiger Tim. Thank you for sharing his story. I'm glad he finally found love in the end. Sigh.

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  33. I followed along on Facebook and was so hoping for a different outcome for Tiger Tim. But I am so thankful he was surrounded by love as he passed from this earth. He and his caregivers are a true inspiration.

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  34. This breaks our hearts, but we are happy that Tiger Tim was well-loved in his final days! it's probably better than he would have gotten if he was still with his original human. He is another star in kitty heaven. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

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  35. Such a beautiful message. I will never forget his sweet face, his courage and love for all. He brought so many people together, sharing love and kindness. In this world of hate, war, cruelty, he truly sent us a message of what matters more. His love resonated in our hearts. I will love Tiger Tim as my own. He will be in my heart and in my thoughts forever. Rest well sweet boy.

    Thank you Katie, Waffles, Glogirly and Gloman for sharing your love of Tiger Tim with us.

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  36. I know it's been almost four years since Tiger Tim passed away, I discovered his story this year. As I type this I am crying. I will always love him. My kitty is 17 and I try to make her life as happy as I can. Tiger Tim was truly a beautiful soul. God bless Tiger Tim and the wonderful people that cared deeply for him. Francine and Keddi.

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