Severely Ill Senior Cat Spends His Last 18 Days In A NY Home Learning What True Love Is
When people at the shelter ask me what kind of cat they should adopt, I always suggest a senior cat.
That usually earns me confused looks and the question, “Why a senior? Isn’t it better to adopt a kitten and watch it grow?”
My answer is simple: adopting a kitten might be more fun for you, but adopting a senior is an act of kindness that gives an older cat the chance to spend their final years surrounded by love.
Of course, every cat deserves a home, but if you want to truly change a life, a senior cat is the one to choose.
Every older cat I’ve met at the shelter has been an absolute sweetheart – and today’s star is no different.
Meet Jack, a wonderful senior cat from New York with a story that deserves to be shared.
Jack’s Story
Jack was 11 years old when he arrived at Meow Parlour, New York’s first cat café and a non-profit rescue organization.
His former owner, heartbroken, had to give him up after moving into a nursing home where she could no longer look after him.
When Jack first came to the shelter, he weighed 20 pounds and often drooled with his tongue hanging out.
Being an older cat, he faced several health challenges, including kidney disease, high liver values, and even a rough haircut. Yet, despite all of this, the shelter staff were smitten with him almost instantly.
At Meow Parlour, Jack was given a soothing bath and started on medication that eased his discomfort and helped him relax.
Once his condition stabilized, he moved into a foster home. But within a week, his foster family noticed troubling symptoms.
Concerned about his labored breathing, they took him to the hospital, where Jack’s health was examined in detail.
Sudden Health Complications
Jack was first brought to the ER, where an X-ray revealed he had an enlarged heart. He was then transferred to a veterinary cardiologist for further care.
He stayed in the hospital on oxygen therapy while a team of specialists ran several tests to determine the full extent of his condition.
Through it all, Jack remained the sweetest and most cooperative patient, showing just how gentle he truly was.
After two days, Jack was discharged from the hospital once he no longer needed oxygen support.
Sadly, his health struggles didn’t end there. He still had trouble breathing, showed little interest in food, and developed painful ulcers in his nose and mouth.
On top of that, a severe upper respiratory infection set in, leaving him with heavy nasal discharge and restless nights.
Thankfully, the team at Meow Parlour never gave up on Jack. They stayed committed to his care, giving him all his medications, continuing his nebulizer treatments, and gently cleaning his nose every single hour.
They even set up a camera in front of his shelter enclosure so Christina, the shelter’s co-founder, could monitor him throughout the night.
Christina, who at the time was out of the country, couldn’t wait to come home and meet Jack. Talking about her anticipation, Christina said:
“Every time I would check out on him, I hoped he would hold out long enough for me to be able to meet him. And that’s what he did!”
Only two hours after her plane touched down, Christina was already on her way to meet Jack.
By that time, the Meow Parlour team had worked hard to stabilize him, easing his breathing troubles.
They ran follow-up tests and gave him an appetite stimulant, which finally encouraged him to eat on his own again.
After a few bites, Jack was ready to leave the shelter behind and start his new life – with Christina.
‘Fospice Home’ Full Of Love
Christina set up a soft little nest in her bathroom shower where Jack could rest and regain his strength.
She gave him plenty of space, making sure he stayed calm and comfortable, especially with his fragile heart.
But in less than five days, Jack had already left his bathroom sanctuary behind, showing no intention of going back.
His quick progress filled everyone with hope that a full recovery might be within reach.
Jack quickly settled into Christina’s home and family, unfazed by her other cats, even when they took turns glaring or hissing at him.
He proved to be a true love bug, constantly seeking out cuddles with his new mom, who was devoted to making sure his golden years were filled with nothing but comfort and love.
Jack’s tongue still stuck out of his mouth, but the length varied from day to day. Christina jokingly wondered on her Instagram whether the amount of blep correlated to his mood, haha. She said:
“Guess I’m going to have to start charting to see if Jack’s tongue length correlates to a particular mood. My current theory is that the more relaxed he is, the more it sticks out.”
During his stay with Christina, Jack met Pinto, a sweet kitten she was fostering. Jack instantly bonded with little Pinto, taking him under his wing as if he were his own kitten.
The two quickly formed a deep friendship, becoming inseparable. Just look at them! Aren’t they the cutest?
Farewell To Jack
Only five days after being introduced to Pinto, dear Jack passed away, leaving an enormous void in the hearts of his new family.
That very day, Christina shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram with a touching video, moving countless followers who had already grown to love Jack from afar.
In the video, she reflected:
“Jack left the world this morning. I only got to be his mom for 18 days. (…) Eighteen days is enough time to fall in love. It’s enough time to think about the future, and it’s enough time to know that it mattered that the last two weeks of his life were happy.”
Sharing her experience in fostering senior cats, Christina added:
“I’m always surprised by how little time we get, and it breaks me every time. And all I can do is hope that maybe once they felt safe they were ready to let go and wait on the other side, so they could be there to greet their person when it’s their turn, too.”
I hope Christina’s example and Jack’s story remind us of the importance of adopting senior cats.
The way they cross over Rainbow Bridge truly matters and their last days are beyond precious – and we should never forget that.
I’m grateful that Jack’s final days were spent in a home filled with love, where he was cherished and cared for every moment.
It’s heartwarming to know he had the chance to bond with a kitten, to purr with contentment, and to enjoy his last days not in a shelter cage, but in the warmth and comfort of a family who adored him.
