Memorials
Never forgotten
Our Memorials page is a space for our community to honor their animal companions who have transitioned. You are invited to forward acknowledgements about your furry friends to pahs@paloaltohumane.org for posting.
Valentín
Born: March 15, 2001 (approximate date of birth)
Crossed: August 17, 2008
Valentín Luis Fernando… I remember the first time I saw you during the summer of 2001 at Ann Nussbaum's adoption center, when PAHS was still doing cat adoptions. You were inside a large carrier, seated next to your brother, your paw resting quietly on his back, protecting him. Animal Control had found both of you in a dirty back yard—sick, frightened, possibly abused by the children in your human family who left you outside to fend on your own—and had taken you to Ann's. The two of you were nursed back to health, and your brother went to a rescue group in San Francisco. You stayed behind, still terrified, and gentle with only Ann and me. I took you home in late August 2001, when I learned you had a heart murmur. You grew into a large, handsome boy, the forever companion and protector of your little sister Nati (who joined us the following November). You were so beautiful that your photo was selected to grace the cover of the 2004 Siamese Rescue calendar. When she saw the calendar, Ann said she "felt like a proud mother-in-law." You became the gentlest of cats, everyone's "meeter and greeter," playful, loving, an excellent lap boy, and the only cat I ever knew who, whenever a camera was in sight, would stop in his tracks to render his best, most dignified, pose. In early 2005, the cause of your heart murmur came to light when you were diagnosed with kidney failure, the result of congenitally deformed kidneys. Always the picture of health, you continued to ward off the inevitable, and we helped you with diet and treatments. Then, your strength ran out, and you could no longer withstand the effects of the disease, as seen in this, your last photo. We had to help you cross with dignity. Nati and I continue to miss you, Valentín, more than you could have ever known.
Leonor Delgado
Samson and Otis
Samson, my devoted rescue lab: (Adopted, Spring 2000 - May 18th 2009). Thank you Central California Lab Rescue for allowing me to adopt him, it was love at first sight.
Otis: (November 18, 2000 - November 24, 2010). You came into our home on December 25, 2000. You were a very smart dog; you were a better "retriever" than even Samson; you always had a ball, stick, Kong or chew toy and sometimes more that one in your mouth. We all will miss you. We hoped that you would have been with us for another couple of years, but your time here was cut short by that damn disease cancer. Goodbye Otis.
Till we meet again, our beloved dogs, may you forever run through the grass, swim in the lakes, lay in the sun and chase the squirrels.
Peter, Ofelia and Eric Kuehne
Loki
Born: November 28, 2004
Crossed Over: August 9, 2010
Our wonderful ferret Loki came to us when he was about 10 weeks old. He was my first ferret (a Valentine's Day gift that I asked for from my husband in fact). Loki wasn't able to handle the dry ferret kibble right away when I got him, so I would prepare him freshly moistened food multiple times a day until he could eat on his own. Taking care of him this way was tedious but very rewarding as I saw him grow into a handsome boy. Loki loved to chase my feet and follow me around the house doing his war dances. He was always spunky and ready to steal anything not nailed down. He LOVED wallets and purses. One time my husband went to the store and had to come back home because he realized his wallet was "missing" from his back pocket! Loki always kept a good stash of various and random household items under our bed. We had Loki for three years before having our son, and three years after, before Loki passed. Loki was so good with him. We also moved multiple times during the six years we had Loki, but he went with us everywhere. We wouldn't of had it any other way; he was family. We made the very hard choice to help him pass, after consultation with his vet and two ferret experts in the area, when he was diagnosed with heart failure and insulin resistant diabetes. We tried medication for some time but in the end, his little body just wasn't responding anymore. I held him in my arms. We loved him and he loved us in return. I'll miss his squeaks of joy, his ferret smell (believe it or not!), and the little kisses planted on my check, ears, and nose when I held and snuggled with him. Rest in peace my beloved Loki.
The Wishons
Tigger, Soli, and Gorb
Tigger was a sweet, soft-spoken, mellow cat (1988 – September 7, 2001). Born with an eye affliction, she never saw well but handled it like a total pro. Tig was attentive and wise. Soli (short for Solitaire, due to his independent nature) was born to Tigger in 1990 before I had taken her in to be spayed. Sol was statuesque and always a little panicky. He passed on September 22, 2006, while I was away, which was exceedingly difficult. Gorbi (short for Gorbachev) was a fat, sweet and very smart girl. This female "Gorbi" was born in the summer of 1991 and lived a healthy, comfortable and joyful life until she transitioned in my arms on March 2, 2009. Beautiful, powerful experience. She and her siblings had adventure, travelling from the Bay Area to the East Coast and then back to Southern California before returning and settling in Menlo Park. These babies were unbelievably wonderful companions: each individual, loving, attentive, patient, observant, and sometimes talkative and even apologetic (Sol exhibited an amazing process after greeting me anxiously at the door one night after work, screaming nonstop, and then leading me to a broken vase he had been warned again and again to stay away from. I could not help but smile…).
With endless love for my cats,
Erin Scott