BLOSSOM

Born August 2009, dumped from a car as a tiny kitten she made herself known from under a house veranda. She came out under a blooming rose bush and so she was named Blossom. She was brought into a house of other rescued cats with intentions of finding a home of her own. Almost immediately she was noticed by an old orange tomcat,- Lucky, who resided in a basement room. He was in love!  And they both had a someone. When it became apparent that this was her home, Blossom was informed that she was to pull her weight and so she started to visit a family member who was living at Wellington Terrace. When the family and the feline decided to go for a walk, they went down separate halls so an idea came about. A walker became her chariot pushed by others. Other residents spotted her quickly and asked that she visit with them as well. A star was born!  Blossom and owner signed on as pet therapy visitors. For 10 years, her once-a-week visits bloomed to as many as 60 people.  She was known by all and quite often staff would feel the need of a “Blossom fix“ while passing through halls.  In the grocery store one day, down a long isle her owner heard‚“Hi, Blossom‘s mom” and when in town was questioned “Where‘s Blossom?” She was awarded a 5 year volunteer pin at the River Run Centre in Guelph.  (Eventually earned her 10 year in 2021).  Dressed for every celebration and the ‘chariot‘ well decorated, she appeared as Valentine, St Patrick, the Easter Bunny, for the Queen‘s birthday (with tiara!), Miss Canada and as Santa with a chariot of flashing lights. She was even invited for Dr Ewen‘s retirement party wearing a mask and a stethoscope for a photo. In 2020 she soon started thinking about retirement herself. A party was planned with cake and hosting in the Wellington Room  but then – Covid and shutdown. She did retire but she didn‘t get her party.  
Epilogue: She retired to a calm lifestyle with acupuncture and ultrasound to help with arthritis for some time.  As life after Covid settled, she met new rescues move in to our home as the old ones passed on, but let them know she was reigning Queen. A new kitten came in and eventually took over the chariot at the Terrace. Her name is Caoimhe (Irish for Precious and pronounced Keeva). In January of this year she became ill but rallied and enjoyed more of the year. She got to stretch out on her favourite deck in her warm sunbeams. She knew her time was running short and stayed more frequently in her basket and cozy crocheted blanket. She died on October 10 with her “chariot“ driver by her side. She did fight leaving but knew there was Lucky and many of her favourite residents waiting for her. She was the most loving and gentle soul and Blossom will be missed by her family and for the wider world that was hers.