Kyra Kitty was brought to PAWS Atlanta in November 2009 at the age of three. She received care for health problems and injuries that resulted from spending months outside, but she began to recover well. Her adoptive dad, Crawford, visited PAWS Atlanta one month later searching for two kitties to take home. Choosing a furry friend was difficult, but Crawford noticed one cat followed him around the room for his entire visit: Kyra. He took one look at her and immediately fell in love. Crawford also bonded with Jackson, another cat in the Cat Cottage. That day, he took the plunge and adopted both Kyra and Jackson, though he claims, "It could also be said that Kyra and Jackson adopted me." 

Later that evening, after some exploring, Kyra and Jackson began to come out of their shells. They tested out a few of their new toys and started to feel at home. They stayed close to each other from the time Crawford brought them home. Their first morning all together, Crawford woke up to see Jackson next to him – laying on his back, belly up, snoring, and content, while Kyra was curled at his feet and purring away. He was amazed at how Jackson and Kyra took a liking to him and at how they were willing to give him a chance. He was determined to live up to their expectations. 

As she grew, Kyra developed some trademark moves. When she heard the words “let’s eat,” both kitties raced to the kitchen, but Kyra never let Jackson go ahead of her! Kyra and Jackson got along well, but Kyra wanted nothing to do with Kitty Broccoli, who came over for play dates with Jackson. Kyra clearly held authority in the house! She always made time to connect with Crawford every day before work, though. She would perch herself in his lap and get some pets before he left for the day.  Every evening, she waited by the front door and would trot to the kitchen when her dad got home. At night, she always jumped in bed with him, sometimes cuddling up on an outstretched arm.  

As time went on, Kyra developed some medical issues. She had repeated sinus infections, but her dad took her in for her regular steroid shots to help her feel better. Some x-rays (taken to rule out other respiratory issues) also revealed that, early in her life, she had been hit with a bullet. Her lower vertebrae showed some damage that had healed. This made the bond to her dad even more meaningful - she found a human she could trust.

A subsequent x-ray indicated that she had developed a tumor on her pancreas.  She bravely took her meds each morning, and the tumor grew slowly. Kyra was a real trooper through all the medical difficulties, a ravenous appetite, and always cuddly. On December 22, 2021, nearly 12 years to the day of her adoption, Crawford said goodbye to Kyra.

She was regal to the end. During treatment she had everyone wrapped around her paw. Her veterinarians were in awe of her persistence. While her dad misses her everyday, he says, "I like to think that she had a good home, which helped her cope with the many difficulties. All those memories will always remain with me."

Adopters like Crawford make all the difference in the lives of our animals. Though things were difficult for Kyra at the end of her life, she was able to live a happy life, full of love, pets, and sunbathing. We wish the same for every animal in our care.