She took our breath away when we saw her emaciated form last summer, no one with a heart could look at her photo and walk away from the rescue.

She made us smile when she gained weight, looking just like a proper butterball right around the holiday season. She made us shout with joy when the photos and video clips showed irrefutable evidence that this supposedly fierce feral was melting. Just recently she was pushing her head into her mom's hand as documented in Cover Girl and her publicist.

But now Cover Girl needs us all more than ever. This heroic warrior princess who cheated death last summer and defied her feline leukemia, skin cancer and a host of other ills, to enjoy a fabulous life at ShadowCats has taken a sudden turn for the worse. As anyone who has ever opened their heart and their home to a feline leukemia positive cat knows, they can enjoy many months or years of fabulous health but when their health starts to fail it can be a precipitous drop.

Cover Girl could not be in better hands. Sheila and her veterinarian husband, Dr. Roy, have dedicated their lives to the care of special needs cats (see She must be Cinderella andFelines find sanctuary at ShadowCats to learn more about this remarkable couple.)

Sheila contacted us Saturday:

“Cover Girl has taken an unexpected turn. She is having some slightly labored breathing and her gait is unsteady. I will keep you posted. She is not in immediate danger but once they start this spiral sometimes it is hard (but not impossible) to bring them around. You know we will do all possible and spare nothing for her as long as she has quality time left. I want to keep you in the loop so there is no surprise.

“So sorry to bring you this news right now. Please say prayers. Mary, Marmalade is doing better- eating much better on his own and his weight went back up to over eight pounds. He is in my lap now. Frogger is amazing and is doing much better too. Tabitha and Fresca doing fine.”

Sheila sent an update later on Saturday:

“Roy gave her some intensive treatment this morning and her breathing is much better. She looks ragged though. We’ll see how she does throughout the day. I got a weight on her and she has lost about six ounces so down to about eight pounds.”

On Sunday, Sheila reported:

“We tried to work with Cover Girl here at the house and treat her symptomatically so as to not stress her too much. We had her in the ICU chamber here under oxygen and Roy gave her lots of meds to take off fluids and some other treatments. We let her out today and she is walking around, seems brighter eyed but still has that unsteady gait. Her breathing is better. But I am taking her in to CTCH in the morning and he is going to sedate her if necessary and draw blood, give her a comprehensive workup and make sure its not something other than leukemia and if it is the leukemia, then to decide what can be done for her and still ensure quality of life. We’ll know more tomorrow. I hate doing this as it will be so stressful for her but better the stress for a while than to do nothing. I absolutely know the level of care she will get and I will be with her the entire time. I will bring her home as soon as I can. She lost another three ounces and is not eating much

“Thank you all for the prayers for this little warrior. I have a feeling she is not ready to give up!”

So, however you choose to pray, pray for Cover Girl’s recovery. If you don’t pray, visualize Cover Girl in perfect health. However you choose to, please send love and energy to this angel who has graced our lives for the last year and to Sheila and Dr. Roy, and the rest of the feline gang at ShadowCats.

Comments
August 19, 2008 at 6:57 PM
posted by: jennifer
Thank you Barbara.
August 19, 2008 at 5:39 PM
posted by: BarbaraWilliamson
Normally I prefer to just let the comments fly back and forth but in this case I will give everyone who has put up a comment not directly related to Cover Girl an opportunity to remove it themselves.

This is not the place for anything but to honor Cover Girl.

I'll be checking back in a few hours.
August 19, 2008 at 5:13 AM
posted by: spax
Redriverdawn, I have no idea who you are and what your ramblings are about, but I can guarantee you that no one here cares.
All we care is about Cover Girl and her story.
August 18, 2008 at 8:44 PM
posted by: pinkys
I heard Cover Girl passed away today. This is heart breaking news, I remember seeing her at Pahrump and how happy everyone was with the news she was leaving Pahrump. Thankfully Cover Girl was spared a lengthy illness and she died in loving arms.
August 18, 2008 at 6:29 PM
posted by: spax
Lots of candle glow for Cover Girl coming from California...this is so hard. She learns to trust, and then you have to fluid her - so not fair. After all she's been thru, we keep fingers and paws crossed that she will bounce back and live the good life.
Cover Girl, you have lots of fans rooting for you, and we know you get the best care possible.
Andrea
August 18, 2008 at 3:19 PM
posted by: Mamakitty2
Prayers and love to Cover Girl and all the other Shadow cats! We all know that they are in the best of hands and that no matter what happens, the past year has been a blessing for all of them.

Sheila, you are indeed a saint and prayers go to you as well... It takes someone quite remarkable to do what you do.

Be strong, Cover Girl ! There are so many of us who care...
August 18, 2008 at 1:50 PM
posted by: mxipp
Oh No! Such terrible news, especially after that wonderful video. I'm sending all best wishes and hopes and healing thoughts your way little one.
August 18, 2008 at 1:37 PM
posted by: cherylt
Sheila - I just saw this and I am heart-broken. Although many of us have never met Cover Girl, she is so a part of our hearts and our homes. Many prayers, good thoughts and lots of love coming your way CG - please keep up the good fight. Thank you, Sheila and Dr. Roy, for all you are doing for her.
Cheryl
August 18, 2008 at 1:07 PM
posted by: kittychump
Love and strongest healing prayers for you Warrior Woman Cat - you are a heroine to the whole world. You have taught so many people so much about feral rights and needs - and about forever home healing.

Sheila - you and yours are in my prayers also; I can only imagine how hard this is - I am still in shock from reading this entry today. I am so impressed and relieved for all that you & your husband have already done for Cover Girl. Best of best good fortune with the upcoming tests & procedures.

Blessings and the Healing Power of the Light - and Prayers Galore.
August 18, 2008 at 11:06 AM
posted by: safeplace
I pray that the love of God is surrounding Cover Girl and everyone working with her. You are definitely a blessed true Warrior Princess.
August 18, 2008 at 10:03 AM
posted by: whitecatmom
Prayers from all of us here!! Thank you Sheila and Roy for your incredible work, she is in the best hands.
August 18, 2008 at 9:57 AM
posted by: nutmegger
We all love you beautiful Cover Girl... keep fighting!!
August 18, 2008 at 7:28 AM
posted by: bogiedew
Lots of prayers for Cover Girl. Thank you for caring so much for her. I pray she will be OK. :(
August 18, 2008 at 2:09 AM
posted by: pedrolobo
It sounds like Cover Girl is in very capable, loving hands. Please know that there are many of us — even those of us who know Cover Girl only by way of photos and video clips — who are pulling for her. I only wish we could give her the kind of strength she's given all of us.
August 17, 2008 at 11:40 PM
posted by: judylew
Fingers, toes and paws crossed that CG will recover to her Warrior Princess status. She's in the best of hands. Thanks so much for caring for her.
August 17, 2008 at 11:13 PM
posted by: carrie_fosters
What a shock after that wonderful post yesterday! I'm so glad that CG has you both! I am also glad that Cookie is not also doing poorly, which is what I thought when I saw "Warrior Princess" in the title. All our many paws and fingers crossed here for this to be a minor "blip" and that CG is able to enjoy more time in the wonderful home you are providing her.
August 17, 2008 at 10:20 PM
posted by: ktsmom
My heart nearly stopped when I logged in tonight and saw this headline. Sheila, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Roy and Covergirl [and all your kitties]. I know she will have the best of care. All the best.................Gloria
August 17, 2008 at 9:06 PM
posted by: jennifer
Cover Girl has all possible prayers coming from Kanab - and I know we'll be kept posted. Sheila - gazillion thanks to you, for giving these valiant cats all the love we pass on to you to share with them. Hugs for you as well, my dear!

Healing purrs - Jenn

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