A Tribute to Cider, Star and Cookie

We’ve had a few “Minnies” and even a “Mickey” in Minnie’s Mews, but the real queen of the cottage was Cider.

Cider was surrendered to a veterinary hospital as a sick, matted little cat. The vet tech working that day couldn’t let this girl go, so she reached out to Our Companions to see if we could step in to help her heal and keep her safe. We had room to spare so she was transported up to the Sanctuary in a cardboard carrier on September 8, 2023 – about to start a new chapter of TLC.

Like some of our guests, Cider was with us for supportive care. We knew adoption may never be an option. Although we would be her final home, we have been honored to care for her instead of the alternative she faced at her vet’s office back in September 2023.

She had diabetes, was in kidney failure and diagnosed hyperthyroid. Despite all of these medical issues, she was a fighter! And a stylish fighter at times, wearing sweaters in the winter with her sparse fur as it grew back. Stylish and outspoken – She was very clear with her boundaries and would nip or swat if you crossed them! We learned that elbows were not scary for her, like hands, and she would rub her face on your elbow and receive pets that way.

Although Cider never was a lap cat, somehow your heart was filled with affection just watching her bulldog walk across the halls, eventually making a throne for herself in the kitchen. A little bed by the refrigerator turned into a full-blown shrine! Our Cat Team was always decorating her space for each season, spoiling her with new toys, blankets, and even special Cider décor.

She learned to tolerate, then like, other cats as long as they respected her boundaries. She would often be found in Salem’s room, on her throne in the kitchen, or walking the halls – owning Minnie’s Mews. She befriended certain staff and volunteers alike, truly spreading joy throughout the cottage.

A few months ago, we noticed Cider was having a difficult time navigating around the cottage, indicating that she was losing sight. She was seen by our vet where it was discovered that her retinas in both of eyes were slightly detached. This can develop in cats due to fluid buildup in the underlying tissue, often caused by high blood pressure.  However, her blood pressure was normal and bloodwork showed that both her kidney markers and white blood cell count were also within desired range. Without anything to do diagnostically, our Cat Team got to work in outfitting her kingdom with foam mats to help her navigate the halls and spoiling her any way they could.

Unfortunately, within a few weeks she lost her eyesight followed by her mobility, telling us it was her time. Never ready to say goodbye, we toast to you this Autumn and will miss you every season, Sassy Cider!!

Suzanne’s Place also lost two mice guests to illness, Star and Cookie.

Helping a mice hoard was a first for Our Companions Sanctuary, but with the opening of Suzanne’s Place last year we were able to take in nine female mice. As you can imagine, unseparated mice quickly grow to outrageous numbers. We knew there would be some pregnant moms within our new surrenders.

And hence, a star was born quite literally at our Sanctuary! Star was one of the babies born from the original rescued mice, born in November 2024. Star was a very social little mouse with us and her sibling roommates. She became one of the more outgoing celestial sisters, living with Gemini and Libra. She had the most darling star mark on her head, inspiring her name. Star passed quickly, she was suddenly lethargic and had respiratory issues. She was taken to an emergency vet appointment, but we lost her a few hours after.

Cookie was an original mouse, so her birthday wasn’t known. She lived harmoniously with her sisters and nieces. One day staff noticed she was scratching her face a lot so we teamed up to try to help her. We had a few different vet visits with her, trying antibiotics if it was a nasal infection, medication to try to decrease the discomfort, and even trying little nail trims so she wouldn’t scratch herself.

Unfortunately, her symptoms never decreased leaving us with the difficult time to say goodbye to another furry friend.

Although we ended up being the fur-ever home for Cookie and Star we feel honored to have been able to provide them a safe and social home with lots of enrichment, friendship, treats and trust. You’ll be forever in our hearts and in the fabric of being our first mousey friends!

We will always cherish our memories with Cider, Star and Cookie!!!