Charlie Brown - In Memory of Our Beloved Sponsor Shelter Cat ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

Charlie Brown
Our Beloved Sponsor Kidden
"If Heaven exists for cats above,
All the feline angels call you there with love."
~ Author Unknown ~

Charlie Regally Posing

Charlie Brown
Charlie Soaking Sunbeams

Charlie peeping through the deck

Images of Charlie Brown are Copyright © PetRescue.com, Inc.
Charlie Brown's Story
Copyright © PetRescue.com, Inc., reprinted with permission.

Charlie Brown was one of the more colorful residents at PetRescue.com, Inc. He had been with us since 1990 and was approximately 12 years old. He was a most unusual looking cat. His almond eyes, flattened forehead and facial markings reminded one much more of a lion than any other cat we have ever seen! When we first came across him he had been living alone in the woods close to the sanctuary. We have extensive experience with feral cats, and Charlie was the first we had seen that was more like a wild cat. He observed us and the activities at the sanctuary with wise old eyes. When he decided to pay us a visit, he came totally without fear and exuded a self confidence that is seldom seen in a stray cat. The other animals gave way to him as he swaggered in, swinging his tail and calmly looking about him. He ate his fill and then went on his way. After that, he came every day to eat and although he was not afraid of us, he would not allow us to touch him.

Not long after his first appearance, we noticed that his coat looked very raggedy and his ear was really bothering him. It was obvious from the smell that it was badly infected. His guard must have been down because we were able to coax him inside and get him into a carrier. Although he showed no alarm, he ground his teeth and uttered little rumbling noises all the way to the vet. We warned our vet to be cautious around him as we were not sure how he would react. To everyone's amazement, he was extremely placid and bore all the manhandling with great patience.

It seemed if a light had turned on that day. Although Charlie was still wary and avoided strangers, he delighted in being around us. He followed us everywhere with his tail swinging and practically humming a tune. He had become the ultimate lap cat. It was the most amazing transformation we have ever seen. We were delighted that we were able to give Charlie life and love in his waning years.

Note: On December 26, 1998 our beloved Charlie Brown lost a hard-fought battle with cancer. Craig and I had sponsored little Charlie for eighteen months. We felt he was our little cat, truly a Bachman Kidden ... he was always with us in thought and spirit. Jeannie and Ron regularly kept us informed of his well-being. His loss deeply fills us with painful sorrow and heartache. We miss you, dear Charlie ... until we meet again, precious little man.

Charlie is also on the AngelKitties site. He's the first kitty on the page.

Sponsor a needy pet such as Charlie today. For only $25 a year, you too can sponsor a needy cat or dog. It is such a joy to open a sponsorship packet from PetRescue.com, Inc. Each sponsor is sent a color photo of the selected pet in a nice photo holder with a history sheet of the pet, a personal letter from the President, and a copy of the latest "PetRescue.com, Inc. News Update." The issue carries vital health information tidbits and a statistical "Food for Thought," the latest news of the organization's activities.

Your sponsorship to PetRescue.com, Inc. is tax deductible:

PetRescue.com, Inc. is a Florida non-profit 501(c)3 corporation

IRS tax-exempt status (FEI Number 59-3182542)

Any donations are fully tax-deductible in the United States

All proceeds go to help the animals. There are no employees, only volunteers; there are no administration fees and no professional fund-raisers to pay

Pawprints and Purrs, Inc. is extremely proud to be an active sponsor of this wonderful organization. Check PetRescue.com, Inc. out ... for the sake of pets throughout the United States.

In Loving Memory - from The Fairy Cats and tara

In Loving Memory - from The Fairy Cats and tara

Sweet tara, I know this makes little Charlie so happy...for it means
so much to both Jeannie and us. With much love from
Charlie Brown, Jeannie, Ron, Craig, the Kiddens and me.
Update - January 15, 1999: Today I received the following email. Jeannie's pain simply breaks my heart.

Date sent: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 13:37:23 -0500
From: Jeannie
Subject: Re: Charlie Brown

Hey Susie,

I'm sitting here bawling. I just took another look at Charlie's page. You updated it again! It looks absolutely beautiful - and I can't believe the touching remembrance that tara did. I'm crying because it's such a beautiful and elegant page for such a scruffy little boy. I just can't believe that my wonderful boy is gone. There's an Irish folk song that says, "Take my heart if you like broken things." Ain't that the truth! I was debating whether to use that on Charlie's urn because it's so appropriate. What do you think?
Love, Jeannie

Jeannie, that wonderful quote is so fitting. What a truly, truly lovely tribute to him. Love you!