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.

I Love You THIS Much #WafflesWednesday

WAFFLES:  I love the Boss and I love Gloman and I love chicken and I love wand toys and my big fluffy pillow. 

And Glogirly, do you know what else? 

GLOGIRLY:  *grin*

WAFFLES:  I love you THIS much.

About Today's Photos 

Today's photos were taken while Waffles was doing with Glogirly what he loves most - playing. Since that very first moment they met at the shelter, it was clear that Waffles was a fun-seeking missile. He'd rather play than eat! ...don't tell him we said that though. He's got a chicken reputation to uphold.

They seemed the perfect photos to sum up what we've been thinking about all day:

"I love you THIS much."

If you've spent any time at all yesterday on Facebook or social media, you may have heard about Tiger Tim. We promise not to turn this into one of those sad-song commercials. But we always try to write from the heart and share our day with you. Well today we spent a lot of time thinking about this sweet orange cat from the Bronx.

You see, Tiger Tim lived with his owner for seven years. He was adopted when he was three months old and had grown to really love his human. He was well behaved and affectionate. He followed her around and kept her company. He waited at the door for her to come home every night and was so very happy to see her. But for a reason we'll never understand, his owner surrendered him to a shelter. 

Since then Tiger Tim's health has declined. He's not been eating and has since been hospitalized. Donations and messages of love and encouragement have been flooding the small non-profit shelter, Magnificat Rescue and Rehoming. Friends and strangers from all over the world are pulling for this little guy. We are too. There's a list a mile long of people who would love to give him a true forever home. But first he needs to get well. 

We've felt so helpless... somehow the story of this sweet cat has really struck a chord with us. Maybe it's because he's a fellow orange boy. Maybe we needed to be reminded of how precious those we love are to us as well as those we've never met.

There are thousands of Tiger Tim's out there. But many of them never make the pages of Facebook. There are no tweets and retweets. No online shares, no donations of support. But they are still there. Waiting.

So we're asking you to do something special today. In honor of Tiger Tim. If there's room in your heart and home for another cat, please consider adopting an adult cat from your local shelter. If you can't adopt, maybe you can make a small donation or drop off a few cans of food. Maybe you can just stop in to visit and play. Show some kitties what neck scritches feel like. We bet you might even get some slow blinks.

Save a life. Change a life. For Tiger Tim.

Photo by Magnificat Cat Rescue

Read more about Tiger Tim on Examiner.com.
Follow his progress on the Magnificat Rescue Facebook Page.
Make a donation to Magnificat Rescue to help Tiger Tim. Click to Donate.

Magnificat Rescue and Rehoming is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit and donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Your donations enables them to not only help Tiger Tim, but to rescue more cats.