Remembering Shakey Puddin’ Pie and Her Endless Impact
People say cats have nine lives. For some that’s certainly true, but it’s really just a saying, and those nine lives are always wrapped up in one lifetime. But sometimes one life can have the impact of nine lives — if not more.
That’s why I wanted to post today. There’s a special cat you need to know about. Her name was Shakey Puddin’ Pie, and I’m so sorry to share that today she passed over Rainbow Bridge.
Shakey was one of the most popular and important CH cats I’ll ever have known. She was the heart — the reason — behind all of the love and effort CH cat adoption expert Deb Martin put into her work. Deb did it for love. Deb did it because of her love for Shakey.
As I was thinking about this post, I knew I wanted it to be a celebration of Shakey’s life. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it wasn’t a celebration of just her life, but how Shakey opened the door for hundreds — if not thousands of lives (CH cats and other special needs creatures) — that otherwise wouldn’t have had a chance. Shakey and Deb saved lives. Shakey and Deb helped pets find forever homes. Shakey and Deb changed lives. How do I know this? Because it happened to me.
Deb changed my life. First by being a great friend (even though we’ve never met) — and second by helping me adopt my little girl, one of the greatest joys in the world. And it’s all thanks to Deb. Thanks to Shakey.
And as I learned of this solemn news today, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to lose my little one. My heart simply breaks at the thought of what Deb and her family must be going through. And even though this time may be incredibly tough to live through, and even though sweet Shakey’s life has come to an end, here’s what I really wanted to share:
Deb, Shakey’s impact will never die. Every day I see your love for Shakey — the reason that brought me and Ellie together — in my Ellie. Every day people all over the nation, heck, the world, will think of what you’ve done for them and thank you for it. You have changed our lives for the better, and we will always remember that. We’ll always remember Shakey.
Lots of love to you and your family.
Life with Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cats 
God bless Deb and her family. Shakey’s life has impacted so many and will continue to shine.
Beautiful tribute, Amanda. Deb and Shakey helped change my life too. Though I loved, and have, CH cats, they inspired me to become more involved and help spread the word to save many others. I also gained one of the best, lifelong friends in Deb. I can’t even put into words how much Shakey will be missed, but I take comfort in knowing she was so loved…by her family but also by a whole community that thrives because of her.
Thank you so very much Amanda. We loved Shakey very very much and life without her is going to be rough. For more then 10 1/2 years she filled our lives with joy, love and inspiration and she made an impact in the world thru me to be the voice of cats with Cerebellar Hypoplasia.
It is amazing how one little cat changed the world and made a difference for CH Kitties and for me also. I feel very fortunate my life had been touched by this amazing little creature born at my home March 14, 2004. She had such a will to live, love and learn. And that she did!!!!!! She has probably done more things then some people in a lifetime. Her disability never stopped her at all and she lived the most amazing loved life ever.
She taught me a lot too and helped me advocate and be the voice for CH Kitties which I will forever be grateful. She taught me the importance in life of making a difference and putting her paw print and my foot step on this planet.
I think she also made me realize and made me a harder person not dealing with people who create their own drama, non sense and opportunist of the world where sometimes people can suck you into. She helped me see this in people and to focus on matters that were of importance and not stupidity. I guess that is why I am surrounded by a group of wonderful and unselfish friends,family and advocate community.. .
The goal in life is to make a unselfish difference and Shakey taught me this.
It is going to be hard waking up and going to sleep without her, cleaning up after her, taking her potty and wondering if she had enough water for the day. Yesterday I felt a little lost not having to care for her. Last night kept waking up thinking she was moving about in the bed but to wake up and look and no kitty was on the bed. I hope it was her in spirit moving in the bed to let us know even though we cannot see her she is still there and will be with us watching over us.
Loosing our fur family is always hard but little loosing little Shakey is going to be tough.
I am happy she has brought so much joy and love to you and others who brought a CH Kitty into your lives. Some people do not understand unless they have met, known or have had a CH Kitty in their lives and how magical and special they truly are.
Shakey thanks all of you for opening your hearts to CH Kitties.
Love Debbie
Shakeys Mommy
Debbie – Bless you for opening your heart to a kitty with a special need . . it takes a special heart. My Maxim has a liver issue, first vet said “3 month’s-no more”. Second vet saw his eye colour (copper) and said ‘Liver Issue – maybe a shunt’ Well, not a shunt but MVD . . and Maxim will be 5 years old this April 2015. Doing fine with love & right meds. Your Shakey is waiting just o’er Rainbow Bridge; I believe this for truth, just as I believe all my kitties gone o’er are waiting for me as well.
All Good Things,
Dan & Maxim
So sorry for the loss of such a special baby. We have two CH cats and we understand how attached to them, they are so special.
Wonderful tribute to Shakey, Amanda. She will always be my hero, as will Deb and her example of enduring, unconditional love, which gave me the knowledge & courage to adopt my CH Rosie. My heart breaks for the loss of Shakey, but she has touched so many, many lives… Her spirit will endure forever. RIP, little Shakey. Run free, straight and true at the bridge, ’til we all meet again. And I believe we will be reunited with all our fur kids, because I cannot imagine a God Who would allow it to be otherwise.
Deb was the catalyst for bringing my CH girl Winnie to me…Deb even named Winnie after her own grandmother. Shakey helped get the message out that CH cats can lead amazing lives. Rest well beautiful girl…we will all miss you ♥
Hey Amanda,
I opened my emails last night to find the post about Shakey puddin pies passing and was overwhelmed with sadness. I sat their and cried like a baby with each and every sentence I read. I was so touched by this kitties legacy I couldn’t help but think about my little boy Spaz and what I will do when he has left me. My heart goes out to Debbie, I don’t know her personally, I do feel like I have been invited to share a very personal moment with Debbie and her family and say thank you so much for sharing Shakey with me and with so many others.
The impact that Spaz has had on people has been amazing and a gift to be able to observe. To watch the affect that these special creatures have and share and do it so well with people has never stopped warming my heart or lost its ability to make me smile. The positive and good that Shakey and Debbie has done for so many, the love she has shared and most of all the gifts of love she has passed on, to show people how very special these little creatures are, to change someone’s mind and to pass on never give up, you can do it if you try will keep her memory alive in so many. The people she has touched making it possible for other special kitties to be given a chance at love and family, the lives she has changed, the doors she has opened forever over the years will keep her in our hearts forever.
I feel so deeply for Debbie and her family and what they have lost, their friend, their daughter, their sister, their family member. Her presence will be forever missed. When Debbie said that she felt that her baby was there with her on the bed and then she was gone, I believe she was there, reaching out to her to let her know its ok, I’m still here with you, I will be with you forever in your hearts, I loved you so.
Shakey’s life with Debbie was a loving one, Debbie did for that baby what most would not, take her in, take care of her and love her as only she could do. In return she gave her a gift of so very much love and the chance to change her little corner of the world, to make it better for other special needs kitties that would never have had the chance if it had not been for Debbie and her selfless dedication to share the gift they were given.
I know Debbie or her family doesn’t know me, I am a total stranger, and in many ways we are the same, we are united by our special kitties and the love we share for them and their plight. The desire to make things better for our CH cats, the drive to help change the world and how it thinks. My heart aches for you, you have touched my heart and I share your grief. I am so sorry for your loss.
I read something once that stuck with me, it didn’t make the hurt go away but it did make things just a little easier to deal with, so I will share it with you, the time will come that you will think of her and smile and the tears will fade away. The sadness and missing her will start to heal and the memories that were so special will make the loss more tolerable, you will think of her more often with a smile than a tear , the stories will be filled with joy and you will be able to share the laughter she gave you once again;
Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if
I were beside you. I loved you so… ’twas Heaven here with you.
I read Debbies post, This is the gift that you gave to her, unconditional love and care. Shakey had it all, thanks to you Debbie, you have shared it with all of us. God love you for what you do! Thank you for sharing with me,
Having Spaz in my life for ten years now , I know the profound effect these special animals can have on people and the ones he has had on me and what I think is important. I don’t find myself getting upset or involved with the smallness of who didn’t put the cap on the toothpaste. There is so much more to and in life that is important and needs to be addressed. These special loving creatures is one of them, It is people like Debbie and Shakey that make that difference.
Patty Martin and Spaz
Thank you for your beautiful words.. She was very special. Debbie
Aw, Deb, I’m so late to the table.
My heart is with yours.
A bittersweet Christmas, for sure.
Touching and eloquent words have been written here; no sense in repeating how many lives Shakey impacted, inspired.
I remember back in the CH Newsletter,
Shakey was featured in an article with a photo of she and her Dad’s ankles in a rather, um, moving moment.
He wrote something like, ”
Please don’t be offended….”.
I cracked the f*** up – who hasn’t had a kitty join them in the bathroom ?
And it’s always the silliest things that break your heart.
A good life was lived.
What you and Shakey accomplished mattered, and matters still.
There is no doubt in my mind, at all,
that the phantom movement on the bed was your girl, to reassure you.
Please accept our sympathy, and what comfort and blessings are ours to give.
Love, Sho & Elvis
“She walked a world of full hearts . . ” and she’s not ‘gone, but just o’er Rainbow Bridge. She will be waiting for you. I believe this for truth as I believe all my other cats will be waiting for ME.
All Good Things,
Dan & Maxim