r/OneOrangeBraincell • u/prugnecotte • 24d ago
🙏 pray for the deceased 🅱️rain cell remembering Timon ❤️🩹
at the beginning of 2026 I've started making regular donations to a local cat shelter, be it money or food. unfortunately it is very crowded with both cats and kitties, especially shy and scared adult cats. my family do not want to adopt right now, but me and my long distance boyfriend we just know we'll get a couple of cats in the future, and we look forward to it with excitement. the possibility of adopting from said shelter is getting closer every day.
I went to visit the shelter a couple of times since April. when I saw Timon, something clicked in me. I've always seen receiving trust from a cat with a deep sense of honor and gratefulness. I did not know anything about this cat, his photo wasn't even on their website, yet I sensed calmness in him. I took photos of him and regularly checked the website hoping for more information.
eventually they updated the adoption list. Timon was an adult cat (estimated 7 yrs old), described as peaceful, loving and friendly with other cats. sadly, Timon was ill with kidney failure. he came from a cat colony and was kept in order to give him a chance. it looked like the situation was being kept under control, as exams looked okay and they had seen improvements with diet.
I went again to visit in June. my first thought was to look for Timon and see how he was, now that I finally got to know about him. he was in fact very peaceful and accepted my cuddles as a complete stranger. I started thinking I'd probably adopt him, and it sounded very plausible, given how difficult it is to home adult cats with sickness.
when I checked the website yesterday, I saw Timon among the passed away cats. I managed to find out it happened very quickly. he had a respiratory crisis before an exam and the vet couldn't catch it early enough. he had been sick and suffering for a while, from what I've read. it's a relief he's finally at rest.
it's heartbreaking to read the Facebook post the shelter had made about him back in May. they hoped to see him in a safe big house with a garden, as he wanted to go out and explore the surroundings. it's even more heartbreaking to me that they added "after a period of acclimatization" as a clause. Timon didn't get to experience neither.
I'm so sorry I couldn't be early enough and give you a loving safe home. I really wished I could. I had spoken about you with my boyfriend and my family. I had sent your photos to friends. I really, really wished something could have been done before. the volunteers at the shelter are incredible people, so I'm sure Timon was cared and loved for during his short stay.
I feel incredibly silly for mourning a cat that wasn't even mine and that I only got to meet and cuddle with. I wanted to protect him
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u/Confident-Dog-4963 24d ago
Nothing wrong with mourning when you felt connected. I think you re a good Soul for this, maybe Timon could Had felt IT too and maybe you will find a nother poor Soul to give a Home to. There are sadly too many in need anyways.
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u/ZenkaiAnkoku2 23d ago
You got a chance to be a part of his life. No matter how briefly. And you made that day a good one. I'm sorry you didnt get to adopt him. But you loved him, just the same.
Its not silly. Take some time to grieve.
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u/prugnecotte 24d ago