PAS, volunteers are special to community

Before I share this story I want to preface by saying I am one of the founders of Friends of the Shelter, the organization which along with community support built the original and very first Panhandle Animal Shelter in Bonner County. It was opened in February 1991 and was located on Great Northern Road and we opened the thrift shop in downtown Sandpoint in May. Now we have a bigger and better facility that I understand is achieving national attention due to its Home to Home program.

I cannot stress more highly the importance of a facility in any community who take in animals in need and conduct on going education programs, etc. Thanks to the continued support of the community both financially and/or through volunteering, the Panhandle Animal Shelter is a beacon to all who love and respect our companion animals in Bonner County and beyond.

Kudos to all those who took the baton and ran with it. It is exactly what we, the founding members, had wanted. Sadly many are no longer with us.

Now I want to tell you about Obe (Old Blue Eyes) a blue point Siamese who at 5 weeks old was brought to the original Panhandle Animal Shelter on Great Northern Road in Sandpoint in the summer of 2004. Sadly he was put to sleep yesterday and his ashes will be sent home to Sandpoint. I wanted to share his/our story of one little kitten from Sandpoint who had such a presence in this life.

My Cat Obe (Old Blue Eyes) closed his eyes for the last time yesterday.

He was 14 and was fostered by my husband Lou and I in 2004. At 5 weeks old, he was found on a bike trail in the Dover area. He was brought to the original Panhandle Animal Shelter where I happened to be volunteering. He needed round-the-clock feeding and, although we were living on our motor home at the time, we decided to foster him. But as often happens we ended up keeping him. After leaving Sandpoint for the winter we headed south to Palm Desert, Calif., and resided for five months at an RV resort on, of all street names, Frank Sinatra Drive … apropos. He then traveled around the country with us for four years before we bought a house in 2008 in Palm Desert. His sister, Bailey, a golden retriever, joined the clan later that year and he accepted her (after awhile) with open paws.

In early 2016 we ventured on the road again, traveling 1800-plus miles by SUV and utility trailer across the country to Mississippi to be with my husband where he was undergoing cancer treatment. After 19 months and following his Dad’s passing we returned to California. Obe had developed mild kidney disease while in Mississippi but was doing well until about a week ago. Following a blood test we found that it had advanced dramatically. After attempts to support him with a special diet and fluids he became toxic, leading to the decision to put him down. Bailey and I are very sad and miss the little guy like crazy. Bad day for all but we could not let him suffer.

Obe has been the best cat ever, the only cat his Dad and I ever owned, even as children.

A friend called him the world’s most handsome cat — handsome he was right to the end, just like his Dad.

We love and miss you Obe. We would like to think that you and your Dad are crossing the Rainbow Bridge in the RV you both loved so much.

My love, respect, and deep gratitude to all those connected to the shelter and I wish you much success in the years to come. The shelter business is the one of few businesses whose ambition it is to put itself out of business. Sadly worldwide we are a long way from that. Bless you all.

SUZANNE BOYLES

Palm Desert, CA