September 18, 1997 — May 2, 2015
Xena was my aunt and cousin’s cat. After my aunt passed away in March of 2010, no one was willing to take in Xena, so Chrystal and I did with the intention of finding her a new home. Xena was not socialized with animals and we had a dog and a cat already.
She lived under our couch for the first few months. She was afraid of everyone and we never really saw her except when we tossed treats under for her. She would not come out to eat and we never saw her use the litter. It took us a while to figure out that she was using the dog bed as her litter box! (The dog was happy to get a new bed!)
She gradually came around and started to get used to us and the other animals, but she was still petrified of men. She chose me as her owner. We decided that she would stay with us.
Over the years that she was with us, she was spoiled rotten just like our other animals! She loved her catnip and laser pointer! Her favorite thing was to be brushed. You just needed to hold the brush and she would walk back and forth against it or she would just turn her head to where she wanted to be brushed.
We learned her favorite foods were not meant for cats. Apparently, she always ate what my aunt and cousin did. He absolute favorite was Taco Bell! She would try and take it from your mouth while you were eating. She also loved McDonald’s or Wendy’s hamburgers and french fries, tuna fish, Acme fried chicken, plain potato chips, butter, cheese (didn’t matter which kind), pork roll, bacon, ham, and lunch meat.
She remained afraid of men for a long time and would eat everything inedible in the house after a man/ boy was here. Our neighbor at the time was transgendered and he took care of our animals while we were away. He was devastated that it upset Xena when he entered the apartment. We told him to come as himself and when he did Xena jumped into his arms and let him pet her!
No one will ever forget her fangs and her personality. She was my climber and her favorite place to lay for a few years was on top of my kitchen cabinets! She also loved to be on the balcony, laying in the sun or trying to climb in the freezer!!!
She supervised my every move including putting away the dishes from the dishwasher. She woke me most mornings by running on the blinds.
Even when she was diagnosed with cancer 11 months ago, she was a fighter! She held on as the cyst grew on her leg. She adapted as necessary. She enjoyed her time in the sun. She napped with Roxy (dog). She looked out the window with Ollie (cat). She pushed Roxy out of the way to steal her food! She napped with us.
My best Christmas present ever was her laying on my lap for a few hours on Christmas day. That was the first time she ever did that!
She definitely lived up to name… Xena, Warrior Princess! She will be missed by all of us, but will forever be in our hearts!
A Poem to remember sweet Xena: When God created kitty cats, He had no recipe; He knew He wanted something sweet, As sweet as sweet could be. He started out with sugar, Adding just a trace of spice; Then stirred in drops of morning dew, To keep them fresh and nice. He thought cats should be soft to pet, Thus He gave them coats of fur; So they could show they were content, He taught them how to purr. He made for them long tails to wave, While strutting down the walk; Then trained them in meow-ology, So they could do cat-talk. He made them into acrobats, And gave them grace and poise; Their wide-eyed curiosity, He took from little boys. He put whiskers on their faces, Gave them tiny ears for caps; Then shaped their little bodies, To snugly fit on laps. He gave them eyes as big as saucers, To look into man’s soul; Then set a tolerance for mankind, As their purpose and their goal. Benevolent … and … generous, He made so many of them; Then charged, with Fatherly Concern, The human race to love them. When one jumped up upon His lap, God gently stroked its head; The cat gave Him a kitty kiss, “What wondrous love,” God said. God smiled at His accomplishment, So pleased with His creation; And said, with pride, as He sat back, “At last. . .I’ve reached purr-fection!” Author Unknown
— Georgia
Xena was one lucky cat to have ended up in such a loving home. I watched her grow to love her new surroundings, family and friends after my sister passed away. I’m quite sure she’s up in heaven spreading the word about how grateful she is to have been rescued, loved and protected by you… and she knows that You are truly a very special angle in disguise who made her a very happy cat..
— Grandmom Gail
She was a very lucky cat to have found your home. I know she will be remembered with much fondness. You are in my thoughts.
— Beth Briegel
A candle was lit in memory of Xena.
— Grandmom Gail
A candle was lit in memory of Xena.
— Grandmom Gail
Our Hearts Go Out… by Maryan Amaral Our kitties love us dearly, And are always at our side, With purrs and devoted friendship, With them our love is tied. So when we fear we’ll lose them, And our bond of friendship too, We’re also losing part of us, Maybe more than we ever knew. Keep friends who understand you, There when times are getting tough, Keep love that will surround you, Cause this helps when times are rough. Listen to your little kitty, For he is talking to you, Share together these precious moments, If they are many or just a few. May healing energy surround you, And bring healing to your friend, We will always be here for you, To help you around this bend.
— Ridorfino colony
10 Things I Learned from my Cat: 1. I never needed to buy an alarm clock. Just live with a cat who loves to run on the blinds. 2. Always take time to stop and smell, I mean eat, the roses. 3. Bringing fast food into the house is a treat. 4. Hamburgers and tacos are cat food, especially if they are from McDonald’s or Taco Bell.¬¬ 5. Never leave out a stick of butter. 6. Putting away the dishes requires a supervisor (who lays in the dishwasher, climbs in the cabinet, etc.) 7. You should lay in the sun every day and refuse to go inside no matter what needs to be done. 8. You should sit and relax and learn to do nothing. 9. Don’t be afraid to put others in their place. 10. Unconditional love and trust.
— Nichole
I am the only boy in the household. Xena was not very friendly when she came here and all I wanted to do was play. Eventually she came around. We didn’t ever really play together, but we played side by side as we both loved our cat nip and laser toys. Xena also taught me how to beg for food. I loved her and I miss her!
— Oliver
I am the only dog in my household. The cats only think they rule the house. Well… maybe Xena really did. She would always climb to places where I couldn’t get to her. When she started getting sick, I gave her the right of way. Later, even though she already ate, she would push me out out of the way to eat my food. I let her… she needed it more than me! I tried my best to help and I obviously loved her!
— Roxy
As a foster kitten coming into a new home, I was not very welcomed by Xena. She seemed to not want me around. She would moo at me and wouldn’t play with me. I was told that when my foster mommies took me to adoption events, Xena would follow them around and scream at them until they brought me home. She acted like she didn’t care but she really did love me. I’m glad she was my older sister!
— Butterfinger
A candle was lit in memory of Xena.
— Butterfinger