Keen 2013(?) - 2022

Back in 2017 Keen was living in a unique situation. His person had an apartment attached to a warehouse; Keen and four other cats lived in the warehouse. It was unconventional, sure, but it was home. And their person saw to their needs and loved his cats immensely. He loved his cats so much that when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer he made sure his end of life plans included his cats. 

Unfortunately cancer took Keen’s person. For a year following his death the cats continued to live in the warehouse visited and cared for by a pet sitter provided for in his will. His daughter knew she could not keep the warehouse forever, and the cats would need somewhere safe where they would be well cared for as long as they lived. 

At the time Mimi was working at Earthwise Pet and through the pet sitter the family was put in touch with Mimi. It turned out to be a perfect fit. The Commune had space and so with the advanced planning of their person prior to his death and his family’s generosity, it was agreed that all five cats would come live at the Commune, in their own enclosure built just for them. Keen and company were coming to their new home!

Upon intake we discovered several of the five cats, including Keen, had feline leukemia virus. Because this virus can be spread to other cats it is important to keep healthy cats separate from those with the virus under normal conditions. But because they were a little family of five entering their golden years, and would continue to live separated from any other FeLV negative cats, we felt it was best to keep their family together.  

A sweet boy at heart, Keen could be a bit stand-offish, but would come over to be petted when the mood struck him. In February 2022 it was clear Keen was not feeling his best. A trip to the vet office showed his feline leukemia virus was active. Keen had lived a long life for a FeLV cat, and there was little the vet could do to prevent his condition from deteriorating due to age and the virus. But Keen was still sweet, and happy, and enjoying his retirement. So he returned to the commune for his last remaining days of Spring sunshine. He lived among the cats he has known, his family, in safety, with a full belly, and pets available should he desire them. 

On April first Keen let Tiana know he was tired, so we were ready to take him to the vet when he passed on his own terms here at the commune. From one unconventional home to another, Keen fit here at the Commune and he will be greatly missed.