Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope

Tuxedo Stan was only with us for 3 1/2 years before losing his battle with kidney cancer, however his dream of a world where cats are treated with respect and compassion lives on.

This holiday season the residents of Catopia decided to decorate their tree with mini minions so that others can share in Tuxedo Stan’s dream.

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For a modest contribution of $5.00 in the online store, we will hang a minion on the tree in honour of, or in memory of, your pet. We will also post a photo of your minion below. (We will try to post within 24h of purchase)

All funds raised will be donated to Spay Day HRM, Tuxedo Stan & Earl Grey’s favourite charity.

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The first pet we honour is Hudson MacKenzie, a lovely little rescue cat who was adopted by one of our Tuxedo Party members. He was recently euthanized due to a serious illness at the young age of 7. He is deeply missed by his family but they are proud that he is the first to be honoured on Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope.

 

 

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Thank you for this lovely opportunity to honor my pet. His name was Stripe. He had the most interesting life. A life any cat or human would be proud of. He went missing from my house one day when he was just out of kittenhood and returned a decade later. Upon his homecoming, he hung up his explorer’s cap and went into retirement. A few years later, he began to get sick and sluggish. After consulting with my vet, I made the hard choice to put him to sleep. He lived a very full life and now is his time to rest.

 

The two names are J.R.  (short for Jean Roberta) and Norman. JR passed away two weeks before her 19th birthday.  Norman was an outdoor cat and went missing about 7 years ago. We searched and searched but no luck……just tears!

 

 

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I have made a donation in memory of Scooter, my sweet rescue cat who died January 2, 2010. He was a momma’s boy, even though his daddy technically rescued him. I miss him, but know he’s scooting around up in kitty heaven.

 

I just donated 5$ for the tree of hope in memory of my boyfriend’s kitty Mini-Me, who passed away this summer after a battle with cancer. She lived 17 great years as his best friend and there isn’t a day go by that we don’t think about her.

 

Noahthecat was a lovely black DSH. We got him from the Toronto Humane Society in 1997, after my husband died. My kids and I were so sad and Noah was just what we needed as a family.  Through our 15 years together Noah was great company, comforting, imaginative and bossy as could be. He always responded to your voice with his own messages. He fought gamely against various health problems for the past 10 years, with the excellent help of our vet, Dr. Mark Dilworth, but finally went on to better things last winter. He is missed by all his family.

 

Oranges was the clinic cat at the vet clinic where I work. He was rescued when he was young and has been with us ever since. He may not have been my personal cat but I loved him just as much. He had to be euthanized this past summer at the age of 16 due to a large, rapidly spreading tumor in his abdomen.
Thank you for everything you do. Just like with Oranges I felt a love for Stan as though he was mine. I followed you every step of the way on Twitter and Facebook. My heart goes out to you as I know how difficult that all must have been. I am now in full support of Earl Grey and I believe he will make Stan very proud!

 

Hi folks. I made my donation at the store. Please post an angel of my little Lexx, one of my 2 rescue cats. He was only 6 when we had to put him down with kidney failure. I am sure you don’t remember him, but you helped me with that. And yes he was an angel to me!

 

 

Kitty to remember:  Solo. He was my beautiful Maine Coon, the first cat in my life for over 30 years who sadly passed away with us at the age of seven after only being with us for a year.  I still miss him a lot (he and I had a special bond) even though it has been over two years since he left us. Thank you for all you do.  Merry Christmas!

 

 

I purchased two mini minions in honour of my two black kitties that passed away some time ago of the ripe old age of 16 and 18 years.  My daughter found them as strays and convinced me to keep them, a suggestion that I never regretted.  They brought love and laughter to our family and we still miss them even though we took in a new kittie that was in dire need of a home. Their names were Midnight and Schnitzi.
What a wonderful idea to honour Tuxedo Stan’s memory this way, may your Tree of Hope be bending over loaded with many, many mini minions.

 

 

Good morning Cathy, Hugh and all the residents of Catopia! We just purchased 3 angels for Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope:
One in memory of Kelsey VanGorder (1993-2012)
One in honour of Skye VanGorder
One in honour of Calli VanGorder
So appreciative of everything you’re doing to help cats in HRM
PS  Cathy, I’m really enjoying “Tales of Cat Vet 2”.  Congrats!!

 

 

 

I just donated 5.00 for Tuxedo Stanley’s Tree of Hope.  This was done in memory of my cat, Pepper, a heinz 57 who came from the spca.  He was euthanized in 2012, at the age of 13, due to various health issues.  His paw prints are tattooed onto my arm.

 

“Red” and “Mr. Dot”, both crossed Rainbow Bridge this year.  They were (and remain in hearts) wonderful rescues … of my brother Bob (Red), and dear friends Cathy & Paul (Mr. Dot).
Following the Tuxedo Party on FB, reading Tales of Urban Tigers 2, photos from Catopia, Cathy’s blogs … it’s all food for the soul of this animal lover’s heart!
God bless you all … and a loving pat for that sweet little guy Earl Grey.

– in love & peace, that one day they may all have forever homes!

 

 

I would like for my donation to be made in memory of my precious, deceased Muffy. She was my first cat, a black and white tuxedo like Stan who was lucky enough to live to be 20 years old. We got her as a kitten when I was 3 and she survived 4 long-distance moves in 8 years (Colorado to Kentucky to Hawaii to Texas) as well as a multitude of health problems that happen when cats get older until she couldn’t fight them off anymore and we couldn’t watch her suffer.

 

We would like to honour our 2 special felines. Mine is a cat Twinkles “Shpak” who passed @ the ripe old age of 23 in 2011.  And my husband’s cat is Daisy “James” who passed @ 17 in 2013.

 

 

I would love to have a minion on the Tuxedo Stan Tree of Hope for my sweet baby girl Tubby. She passed away in 2007 and is missed everyday. This is a great idea, nice way to honor the memory of our loved ones and help Spay Day at the same time. My Mom had me pick up some tea and Christmas cards from PetValu the other day, she is very happy to support the Tuxedo Party. Cheers and thanks for all you do.

 

 

 

What a wonderful idea! Please name my Mini Minion “Cuddles”, after our lovable brown tabby whom we lost to cancer just before Christmas last year. He is still very much missed.

 

 

Kitty was euthanized on December 16, 2009 due to cancer (I was told it was lymphoma). I still miss her and am still holding onto her ashes.

 

 

The cat I wish to honor is my beloved Zoey McBeigh. She was abandoned in my yard when she was a couple days old. despite my best efforts she died at 7 weeks old of leukemia

 

In honour of Mortimer – born about August 2011 who came to me from the Ottawa Humane Society in April 2013 to be a new companion.

 

In memory of Gulliver – born in 1998, he came to me from the Ottawa Humane Society in April 1999 & left me in April 2013.

 

 

What an awesome idea, thank you! My cat, Nougat, passed away on the 24th of June.  He was 16 years old. He is dearly missed!  A sweet little boy, he was my best friend.

All my best to you and your family.  Thank you again for honoring Stan’s memory in such a lovely way!

 

What a wonderful idea… Please accept this small donation in the memory of Jezabel (Jezzy) Purchase…my friend and companion for 13 years… thank you.

 

 

 

In honour of 18 1/2 year old Pita, who was my son’s kittygirl until he died 6 years ago tomorrow. She holds a special place. Thank you so much for the opportunity to support Stan’s cause.

 

In remembrance of dear Munkie who we lost a year ago at 7 years of age after a long and trying battle with hepatic lipidosis. She was such a dear soul and in the end I couldn’t do enough.

 

Pet’s Name: “Tarzan” (Renal Failure @ the age of 7).

 

I just made my contribution to Stan’s Tree of Hope in name of my first cat, Snugles who passed away (also from kidney disease) on Dec. 23, 2003, at the age of 16. This year will be the tenth anniversary of her death, although every Christmas when I remember how hard that one Christmas was, it feels like yesterday. She is the cat I didn’t even know I wanted that day when she (almost literally) fell into my lap. That was the beginning of my journey to becoming a “cat person”. She changed my life in so many different ways. Thank you for this opportunity to remember and share the pets who have now left us, but will always remain in our hearts.

 

I lost Scooter and Missy this year to kidney failure; Scooter in February and his sister Missy in July.  Losing them both within such a short time was very hard; I had them from the time they were 11 weeks old.  It is lovely you are doing this, and will be an honour to have the minions on the tree in their memory. Thank you and a Merry Christmas to you all.

 

This was a really bad year for us.  We lost 3 of our kitties.  Please hang minions in honor of: Hodges, Lazarus & HB29/c. Thanks so much!

 

 

 

We have just contributed in honor of our two beloved cats, Princess and Melfur (who are still, very happily alive).  Thanks Tuxedo Stan and Earl Grey on behalf of our feline friends everywhere.

 

 

 

My beautiful Selena. Adopted from the shelter at the age of 3, developed a mammary tumor at 4.5, euthanized at 5 due to tumor progression despite 2 surgeries and chemo. Miss her dearly still. The tree is a great idea to help cats in need while memorializing those, including Stan, who were extra special to us. Happy holidays to you all.

 

Slush Moulton

I found Jack wandering on the highway- when I stopped to check and see if he was ok he wandered over to the car and climbed in- I knew then that he belonged to me! Tinylvis was a runt who was rejected by her mother- she was always little and never weighed over 4 pounds- she lived to be 19- what a great little heart she had!

 

 

I would greatly appreciate it if the minions were named in the loving memory of: Pokey, and Alice. Thank you very much and wishing you happy holidays, I know it must be bittersweet without Stan to knock down an ornament or two with his brother and step sisters. We all keep him in our hearts too, and appreciate your wonderful work in his honour and memory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few of the current residents of Catopia compliments of Kathie Dreher:

 

 

 

And our dearly departed Mayor of Halifax:

 

 

In honour of the living members of Kathie Dreher’s family:

 

 

 

Atticus- our 17 year old special boy whom we are  desperately trying to save.. Every time he has an ultrasound or an endoscopy, I wear my Stan ‘If you believe, anything is possible’ t shirt… I am not ready to lose this boy…

 

Kathie has also purchased some reflective minions – in memory of:

 

 

 

 

 

These are Kathie’s three FeLV+ kitties:

 

 

 

Thank you for doing this-it’s a wonderful way to honor those in our hearts….
Kathie

 

 

 

5 Minions for my 5 feline critters… SUCH a great idea! LOVE it!

 

 

 

 

 

Please make these minions in honor of my two rescue kitties:  (a) Meshach, who passed earlier this year of kidney disease; and (b) his brother Lafitte, whom I hope to have with me for a very long time.

 

 

I’m making this purchase/donation for 2 kitties:” Meeko and Memphis. In loving memory of Meeko….for my friend Melissa D’Angelo. I never had the honour of meeting Meeko, but I know that she is still very dear to Melissa’s heart.
And
In honour of Memphis Memphis was abandoned (and possibly abused) by his former owners, but was promptly & lovingly taken in by TJ & David. Because of their bad allergies they needed to find him a forever home, so Melissa welcomed him in. As they are neighbours, Memphis now has two homes filled with love (and treats).
May your Christmas be Purrrrfect in every way. Thanks so much for your unwavering devotion and dedication to feline-kind. The Tree of Hope is an absolutely wonderful idea. I hope if becomes a tradition.

 

 

 

Greetings, Catopians!  I just “purchased” four mini minion angels for the joy and gratitude of the cats who have let me be part of their lives:  Asker, my first rescue and best first cat in my life from the Barrie SPCA in 1991 whom I had to have euthanized 7 years later as she rapidly succumbed to diabetes.  Zelda, my next rescue shortly after losing Asker; I missed her so much, I found one of the saddest cats in the shelter to try to redeem myself.  Zelda became a force to be reckoned with!  A few months later, we rescued Dexter, a Maine Coon living on the streets.  He grew to be a big boy but always deferred to his “older sister”.  We lost Zelda to a tumour just above her heart 3 years ago; Dexter grieved more that I did, but we got through it.  He has since lost one eye to glaucoma and is blind in the other, but at age 16, he is amazing!  Lastly, there was Binky, my parents’ cat who died suddenly of a heart attack not long after my Dad was hit with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2007.  My Dad never liked cats till they adopted Binky; she became his right-hand man.  Our furry friends are quite astute;  I truly believe that they rescue us.  (I know this is long, so feel free to edit!)  Thank you, Hugh, Cathy, and Earl Grey for this brilliant idea.  Happy Christmas, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ordered 6 mini minions for the tree. The following are the cats that I am honouring:

Nestor: A scientist and a poet, Nestor dedicated so many nights to the study of the flow of water. Such a sweet and beautiful black and white cat, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 11. I will never stop missing him.

 

Zoe: Known for her intellect and ego, Zoe was the author of a 7,000-word autobiography. She was also a respected dance critic, who divided her leisure time between guarding her human and purring at her reflection in the mirror. My companion for almost 20 years. Not a day goes by that she is not missed.

 

Uggles: When she wasn’t catching frogs at the cottage, this patient and affectionate cat could be found sleeping in her director’s chair in the backyard. Dearly loved and greatly missed.

 

Kitsel: The mother of four led a long and happy life. Her retirement was spent perched on the radiator, overseeing the goings-on of the neighbourhood and expressing her general dissatisfaction with the world. She is missed every day.

 

Jor: The inspiration for so many stories, songs, drawings, and more. A loyal companion to humans and a friend to animals, Jor loved to go for walks with his Golden Retrievers. 18 years with him was not nearly enough, but he lives on in my imagination.

 

Giancarlo: My feral companion. I was so happy to give him a warm, safe home and hear him purr. Gone too soon, but forever loved.

 

I just purchased 3 minions for Stan’s tree.  These are in memory of Jasper, Boomer and Tuffy.  All of our babies have been rescues Jasper from the streets of Grand Valley in Ontario, Boomer was from the Timmins, Ontario SPCA and Tuffy who was a Nova Scotia barn kitten who moved to Ontario with us and home again with her 4 adopted brothers.  Jasper was with us for 10 years and was at least 2 or 3 when we adopted him, Boomer and Tuffy were kittens when adopted and passed away last year at the age of 17.  All are still loved and missed dearly.  RIP to all of the fur babies that have gone to the rainbow bridge.

 

 

 

I have just bought a mini minion to hang on the Tree of Hope.  I have bought it in memory of our dearly loved and sadly missed cat Boo Radley.  We lost him very suddenly early in 2012 to heart failure at only 7 years young.  Before we adopted him from the SPCA my husband didn’t like cats – Boo changed his mind pretty quickly and Feargus is now a cat lover too.  Boo was a special cat and I still miss him every day. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

 

Donation was made in honor or Felix (my tuxedo cat who looks very much like Stan did).

 

I donated 10.00 in the hopes I could get a minion on the tree for both Little Guy and Maggie..If one is only allowed, pls put Maggie on the tree as she is the most recent departure. tks and what a lovely idea.

 

 

We want to acknowledge our own tuxedo cat the very handsome Little Moe-Kale Embrett.  He has no political aspirations other than being Supreme Ruler of the household. He is a rescue cat from the SPCA and we’re very happy we found him.

 

We also want to honour Sir Puss the Cat, who passed away June 2009. He went from pillar to post until he found his forever home with us. With a lot of dignity he fought a mysterious illness for the last year of his life and when he came to us with the decision that it was time to go over the rainbow, it was with heavy hearts we let him go. We miss you Puss.

 

 

Hi! I just ordered a minion for Stan’s Tree in memory of our recently departed “Healey” (White).  Healey was a neighbourhood stray we took in soon after we moved to Windsor.  We shared our home with Healey for a short 6 years, until we were forced to concede defeat in a hard-fought battle with an aggressive illness that took him from us far too soon!  We love him dearly and miss him terribly, especially since his bedtime routine was to curl up in my arms, under the covers with his head on my pillow, where he stayed until I fell asleep…I haven’t slept well since his passing.  May Healey and Stan frolic at the Rainbow Bridge, until we all meet again.

 

I just placed an order for two minions on Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope in honour of Charlie and Maggie. I’d also like to thank you again for the wonderful work you do and for sharing Stan’s, and now Earl’s, lives with us. It is truly touching and I look forward to the daily updates from Catopia. My husband, Jer, and I, and our poodles, Charlie and Maggie, wish you the very best this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

 

 

A donation was made in memory of Pepper. Over 15 years ago on Halloween day, my family adopted a little black kitten who was found on the street with his mom and littermates. Sadly, he passed away nearly 2 weeks ago and is deeply missed by his humans. We are grateful for his love and friendship. I wish you the best of luck with Stan’s Tree of Hope. What a creative and thoughtful idea.

 

 

Hi there, I just purchased a minion on the tree of hope, I would like to put it in my late little girl’s name – Gracie

 

I’ve purchased 5 Minions in memory of five very special cats in my life: 1. Nearly Normal Nermal, the best cat in the world, who LOOKED like the Nermal kitten in the Garfield comic strip, and who picked me out when he was a tiny kitten in a pet store, when I was expecting my son Ryan. They grew up together, and last week, Ryan adopted his first cat of his own. Nermal crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 14 in 2000, and I still miss him.

 

2. Simon Q Snark. Simon was a beautiful silver tabby with green eyes who we adopted some years ago. Simon had a heart attack and died two weeks before my beloved husband did the same thing.

 

3. Tommy Tiger the Crabby Tabby was a feral kitten that we adopted through WAAG back in 2002, I think. He was my husband’s kitty, very aloof from anyone else, but he doted on JPL.

 

4. Nibs. We adopted Nibs at the same time as Tommy Tiger, and he was the last of our cats to go outdoors. He was hit by a car and had to have a back leg amputated, but he did just fine on three legs for many years until illness finally sent him across the Rainbow Bridge.

 

5. Alley Green Eyes was my sister’s gorgeous, huge tabby cat. His eyes were not green but aquamarine. He lived to a very ripe old age (I think 17) until he said goodbye in 2012.  These animals…they give us so much, and they leave paw prints all over our hearts, and when they leave us, a piece of our heart is broken…but our hearts are better for the experience of having them in our lives.  Merry Kittymas from Snickerdoodle, Tiny Timbit, Hugh Mungus, and LokiBadness.

 

In memory of Kelly

 

In memory of Pumpkins

 

In honour of Mobieus

 

This minion is purchased in honor of my beloved rescue kitty, Mr. Henry, a truly gorgeous guy, full of catitude!

 

I just sent my donation for Maisie and Loopy… was just wondering if you could make Loopy’s minion a Tuxedo cat and Maisie’s a grey cat, because that’s what they were … thanks!

 

 

Name,   Nyra Ann on a Tuxedo minion plz, she was a Tuxedo herself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I purchased 2 minions in loving memory of my two girls, Miko and Sheena, beautiful white sister cats who passed away in 2011 and 2012 at ages 17 and 18.  They were wonderful, loving companions who made the trek across country with me 13 years ago when I moved back to Nova Scotia from British Columbia.  It took almost a year but I decided I was ready to give a home to one of the many cats out there who are so deserving and I adopted 2 year old Boots from a local animal shelter in January of this year.   She’s an absolute joy and has helped heal the heart.  What a fantastic idea to have Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope in support of such a wonderful cause.  Keep up the great work Earl Grey, Tuxedo Party and everyone at Catopia!

I just donated 5.00 to Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope. I applaud the work you guys are doing, its truly inspiring. The pet I would like to commemorate on the tree is my cat Fergus, who lost his battle to cancer six years ago. My family adopted him from the local Humane Society when he was just young, we grew up together, and I miss the old boy terribly.

Please hang two photo tuxedo minions in memory of our tuxedo girls: Imelda, the cat of my lifetime, and Emma, our miracle kitty. We have been truly touched by Stan and his mission and welcome the opportunity to honor both his memory and that of our beloved feline companions. Best Christmas wishes to Catopia all.

 

 

If you wouldn’t mind could you please put one on your tree for Bacardi.  It is 10 years on the 18th and I still miss my friend.

 

In memory of :  (TUXEDO)  MICKEY SYLVESTER

Mickey was my daughter’s first ‘rescue’, and, like Stan,  had issues with his bladder, which could not be resolved.  I am hoping that I can print out a picture (when you post it) of the minion with his name on it, as a tiny gift for her:  she still misses him terribly, as all of us  miss Stan.  This was a  GREAT  idea to raise funds for SDNS–please do more like it!

 

Wild Casablanca Lily, Queen of the Polar Bears, died June 2009, 13 years after rescue from the street, deaf, with three and a half legs and a giant calm spirit.

 

And Mudita, bringer of spontaneious Joy, who died with previously undiagnosed heart condition on Easter 2012, almost 8 years old. They are missed and loved every single day. More than words can tell.

 

I purchased 4 minions for the tree of hope. Three are in honour of our sweet fur babies that we currently have with us:

 

 

 

And the last one is for one little girl that has crossed the rainbow bridge:

 

In loving memory of Tommy Sherrard. Your mommy misses you more than you can imagine.

 

Hey ROCKY! Here’s one in your honour…

 

My Tree of Hope donation is in memory of P Tom my beautiful wonderful sweet tuxedo kitty-boy who had cancer and lost his battle with it in July 2012. I miss him so much and always will – he gave us so much joy and we loved him so much. Please put his name on your Tree of Hope for us – thank you so much. Every best possible wish to you both and all your beautiful family human and furry alike, for a wonderful holiday season and healthy and happy new year 2014 ! Purrs and head-butts to Earl Grey and Louise from Natasha tuxedo-kitty-girl….With warm regards, Eve

 

I just purchased a mini minion for the tree of hope. I’ve made this contribution in memory of my father’s tabby, Tigger. Thanks for all the good work you do for cats!

 

 

 

 

In memory of Speed…

 

I’ve sent along payment for my cats Dora, Emma, and Annie to be part of Stan’s tree. I really like this idea and hope you continue it. Dora was a neighbourhood cat who had been abandoned. She was a sweet cuddly girl who lived with us for the last two years of her life. We miss her.

 

Annie passed away recently at the age of 18 1/2. We miss her very much and the other cats still look for her.

 

We fostered Emma for Spay Day. We had decided to adopt her but she couldn’t overcome the issues a hard life had left her with. Even though the adoption didn’t happen in fact, we consider her part of our family and miss this sweet, sweet girl.

 

 

Please feel free to check back regularly as we add more minions to Tuxedo Stan’s Tree of Hope.

If you would like to hang a minion on the tree simply go to the online store. (PLEASE NOTE: we have no minions left! We will hang a photo of a minion with your cat’s name if you wish)

From all of us in Catopia, we wish you a safe and peaceful holiday season.