When Elliot, an 18-year-old cat, found himself at a shelter in Long Island, New York, after his owner’s sudden death, his outlook seemed grim.
Hooked up to IV fluids, on medication, and requiring a special diet, the shelter staff only gave him a few months to live.
This made finding someone willing to adopt him, especially as a hospice case, pretty challenging. But then Sarah stepped in, ready to offer Elliot a loving home for his final years.
Credit: @meow_its_polly
The moment she saw Elliot, Sarah was deeply affected by his condition.
“He looked really, really skinny, and sad. He lost hope. And I was so upset by that.”
Already the caretaker of three special needs and senior cats, Sarah wasn’t sure she could take on another responsibility.
However, during her lunch break, thoughts of Elliot weighed heavily on her heart, bringing her to tears.
Unable to bear the idea of him spending his final days alone in a cage, she made the compassionate decision to welcome him into her family.
Credit: @meow_its_polly
The moment Sarah brought Elliot home, it was clear she had made the right call. This 18-year-old cat was nothing but love from the get-go, embracing his new freedom with the zest of a much younger feline.
He instantly hit it off with Sarah’s other cats, Polly, Farris, and Lilly, proving to be the ultimate companion, both for play and snuggles.
From a sad shelter feline, Elliot transformed into a happy house cat, whose eyes glimmered with hope and anticipation of what the future holds.
Sarah was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor. She remarked:
“I thought to myself, ‘This guy is not ready to go!’”
Credit: @meow_its_polly
Elliot’s tender interactions with everyone earned him the nickname “the perfect gentleman” from Sarah.
“He would lick your face the most gentle way possible. He had a very soft purr also. Everything about him was just so soft.”
His sweet nature was recognized by all, none of the other cats ever mistreated him, as if they sensed how special he was.
Despite his affection for all three of Sarah’s cats, Elliot had a clear favorite: Polly, her other senior cat. Those two were like long-lost soulmates, overjoyed for the fact they’d been reunited.
Credit: @meow_its_polly
Elliot also shared a very special connection with his mom, Sarah. She often felt as though Elliot possessed a human-like soul, as he seemed to understand her needs with an uncanny intuition.
However, the most astonishing aspect of Elliot’s story was his resilience. Despite the odds stacked against him, he surpassed his initial prognosis and lived beyond the expected two months.
This courageous kitty defied his condition and spent two blissful years by Sarah’s side, forming an indelible bond with his beloved human.
Credit: @meow_its_polly
As Elliot’s health began to decline more and more, Sarah recognized that their time together was drawing to a close. That prompted her to do the sweetest thing for him. She shared:
“We asked our friends to tell us the names of their angels over the Rainbow Bridge. And I read Elliot all the names of the friends that he was gonna make over there.”
I don’t know about you, but this seriously brought tears to my eyes. It’s such a touching gesture that could melt even the coldest of hearts.
In the picture below, you can see some of the names people left in the comment section on Polly’s Instagram, the account she briefly shared with her older brother, Elliot.
The names were written in vibrant colors to represent the Rainbow Bridge that all those beloved kitties crossed. Now, where’s my tissue?
Credit: @meow_its_polly
When Elliot passed away, he left a gaping void in Sarah’s heart.
Despite grappling with his loss being incredibly difficult, she maintained a positive outlook, cherishing the fond memories they shared.
“Every day we had him was a celebration of him. He literally was a miracle, proof that cats have nine lives.”
Credit: @meow_its_polly
When asked what she would say to Elliot if given the chance, Sarah responded:
“I would tell him, ‘Thank you for two beautiful years that we had together.’”
Sarah expressed how much Elliot is missed by everyone and described their home feeling emptier without him. However, she also acknowledged that their senior feline companion was the missing piece of the puzzle they never knew they needed.
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