07/18/2026
As much as we always hope for a happy ending, not all rescues end in adoption....
That was the case for Lyra.
Lyra's story starts off uniquely challenging. She came from a breeding situation, after being poisoned and needing emergency bowel resection intussusception removal surgery. Lyra was surrendered into CMCR’s care shortly after the surgery. She was in terrible health. She was only about 2 years old, extremely malnourished, underweight at just 4 lbs, with extreme diarrhea that could (and did) clear a room. She wanted nothing to do with the kittens she came with, and nothing to do with people or affection.
After many vet appointments and tests, she was diagnosed with Short Bowel Syndrome, IBS, a Taurine deficiency, and a B12 deficiency. Meaning the diarrhea was for life. That followed with a strict Hydrolized diet, weekly B12 injections, and multiple twice a day medications. Lyra knew we were trying to help, so thankfully she was an angel when it came to taking medication.
Lyra slowly but surely gained weight. She got all the way to 7 lbs! Her energy picked up, and she was much more open to receiving affection.
Her true love was for the outdoors. She was a huntress at heart. Catching flies was a specialty. She loved to roll on the concrete and sunbathe, to hang out in the catio, and was even getting used to being on a leash. Her spirit shined when she was outside. Her foster parents were angels with entertaining this greatest desire for Lyra making sure she was supervised and safe while enjoying the fresh air.
Once Lyra’s health was under control, she was cleared for spay surgery! Everything went normal, she had a fast recovery. However, shortly after the spay she started losing weight again. She also became bored with her food. Then that started a trial and error of different kinds of food her body could tolerate, and added appetite stimulants. Boiled chicken was a fan favorite.
For the next four months, her health would take one step forward, two steps back. She was back down to her original intake weight.
Then, after hardly eating anything for a few days in a row, her foster mom reached out to CMCR letting them know she wasn’t doing good. That night she got SubCu fluids, she ate a little bit, and seemed to have perked up. It was decided she could wait until the morning to go to the vet.
The next morning, it was clear it was an emergency. After being rushed to the vet, just a few hours later, the dr called and said there wasn’t anything more they could do.
She was surrounded by her village, with love, and passed peacefully.
We have to take warmth in knowing that she was loved without condition, supported every step of the way, and that her incredible foster parents, doctors, and CMCR did everything in our power to help this girl. Together we gave her another year of life that she likely would not have had—and that year was glorious. Although challenging, she seemed happy and was so well cared for.
As hard as it is to feel this heartbreak in rescue, what matters most is that she got to leave this world being held, loved, and fought for.
Sometimes love simply looks like trying, even when knowing the outcome will probably break your heart.
Please join us in celebrating Lyra's life and knowing she rests peacefully now.
