# Another cat passes: my Shiloh **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 23, 2021, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264 "2021-01-23T05:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/1 "2021-01-23T05:50:43Z")
I am sad to report that another of my cats has passed: Shiloh. She is well-known to longtime Dopers, as I’ve posted about her since she was a tiny kitten. One thread about her, for example, is “Weaning a Kitten,” from 2002: > [@Weaning a kitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weaning-a-kitten/111336): > > My wife and I have once again taken in an orphan kitten. We seem to be an easy touch for a farmer friend who has this happen from time to time. Either that, or the farmer knows that any kittens passed to us will get good care. Anyway, this recent one is the youngest yet–about two weeks old when she came to us. We’ve been bottle-feeding her on feline mother’s milk formula, and so far, things are going well: she is growing, using her (tiny) litterbox, and she seems to enjoy exploring the floor… There was a lot of good advice in that thread; so good that Shiloh grew and thrived. Remember, that was in 2002, and Shiloh passed this past Wednesday. She was 18 years old. She would have been 19 in May. The advice was solid–a long-overdue thank-you to the Dopers of that time in that thread is in order. I pulled into the driveway of a friend’s farm one May Saturday morning in 2002. My farmer friend had called me to help out, but said that he might not be there (he’d be in town for gas and supplies), but I knew where the spare key was hidden, so I could go in and make some coffee. I did, and soon was enjoying coffee, in a lawn chair, on the farmhouse lawn. There was a small grey tuft on the usually immaculate farmhouse lawn. What was it? It turned out to be a tiny kitten, most likely from the barn, where there were a number of cats. I guessed her to be about 10-14 days old, as it appeared that her eyes had only opened up recently. She was trying to “swim” through the grass. Well, my ex-wife and I took her in. She was so tiny, that we had to hand-rear her by ourselves. Or rather, I did, since my ex went off on a three-week business trip the next day. Every four hours, I mixed up her “Feline Mammilac” formula that we got from our vet, warmed it in the microwave, laid her on her back in my left hand, and fed her through a bottle that a little girl might have for her dolly. She grew. I must have done something right, even though it cost me a good night’s sleep for a number of weeks. Perhaps because of her unorthodox upbringing (I was trying to play Mama Cat, after all), Shiloh was never really a “lovey kitty.” She preferred to be left alone, and resisted being picked up. But she loved head skritches, her “Temptations” treats, and greeting me at the door when she heard me fumbling with my keys outside. But she managed a flight in the cargo hold from Toronto to Calgary, when we moved to western Canada, enjoyed playing with small toys, and loved the top of the cat tree, where she could nap in peace. She grew to enjoy the company of our other cats, especially Fiona, with whom she would often nap; the two of them curled up together. Perhaps more than any other cat I’ve owned, Shiloh was “mine.” I found her, I raised her, I nourished her when she was a kitten; and though I never got to hear her purr while napping in my lap, I like to think that it was my care that gave her a good, long, happy life. She was pretty special to me. Please, Dopers, spare a thought or a prayer for my dear Shiloh. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/2 "2021-01-23T05:55:10Z")
My sincere condolences. Some kitties are very special. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/3 "2021-01-23T06:03:10Z")
So are some owners. My condolences too, **Spoons**. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/4 "2021-01-23T10:36:01Z")
Sorry to hear about Shiloh. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/5 "2021-01-23T10:42:05Z")
So sorry to hear about Shiloh. I know you gave her a great home, and were the best “Mama Cat” she could have had. Vienna sends her love. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/6 "2021-01-23T16:47:39Z")
I am so sorry for your loss. And glad for the over 18 years that Shiloh and you had. She had an excellent life. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/7 "2021-01-23T17:00:32Z")
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve often said that I have _family members_ who I would rather lose than to lose my precious fur baby. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/8 "2021-01-23T17:23:20Z")
Sorry about your loss ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/9 "2021-01-23T19:42:30Z")
I’m so sorry for the loss of your baby, Spoons. Those little varmints really do get under our skin. 🥺 ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/10 "2021-01-23T19:53:49Z")
Spoons! so sorry brother. 😔 ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/11 "2021-01-23T19:56:40Z")
I’m so sorry, **spoons**. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/12 "2021-01-23T21:27:56Z")
I’m sorry. She had a good life with you. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/13 "2021-01-23T21:40:24Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I’ve often said that I have _family members_ who I would rather lose than to lose my precious fur baby. Oh, I’ve gotta second this. Especially considering some of my family members. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/14 "2021-01-24T06:00:37Z")
I’m so sad for your loss, friend. Grieve well. Peace ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/15 "2021-01-24T06:06:59Z")
Aww, so sorry to hear this. Cats have a special place in our hearts. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/16 "2021-01-24T06:08:22Z")
Aww. I’m so sorry. You gave her a good life. That’s the best you can ever do for your friends. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/17 "2021-01-24T06:58:29Z")
Very sad news, **Spoons**. Deepest condolences for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/18 "2021-01-24T07:53:27Z")
I’m so sorry. It will be a year ago next week that I lost my 17 year old Will. I still think of him every day. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/19 "2021-01-24T23:07:00Z")
I read this yesterday and didn’t post because I didn’t know what to say. I still don’t know, but I shed some tears anyway for the loss of a good cat. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264/20 "2021-01-25T01:39:44Z")
19 years is a good run for a cat. Sorry for your loss. But good on you cat. You chose your guardian well. Few of God’s creatures get to live their entire life in a warm loving environment without a care in the world. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-cat-passes-my-shiloh/931264.md?page=2)