The heartwarming story of a talkative 20-year-old kitty who, instead of facing euthanasia

Tazz, a 20-year-old orange love muffin, didn’t deserve what his human family did to him. One fateful day, they decided his age and easily maintained health issues were cause to have him euthanized. But that didn’t happen: numerous angels in disguise flew to his rescue. And many more supported him online.

But first, his family took him to the vet and dropped him off, abandoning him there. Perhaps they didn’t want to deal with the difficult part and wanted to escape the day all pets must cross the Rainbow Bridge. But no furry family is disposable. It’s hard to say goodbye, but being there at the end is a necessary, responsible, and such a loving part of the journey. 

Unfortunately, rescuers are seeing more folks giving up on senior pets. But as rescuer Beth Stern said, adopting a pet is for life and whatever it brings.

“The commitment we make to our pets must be for life — for better or worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death — not boredom or whimsy or arbitrary euthanasia — do us part! It really is just this serious. It’s a vow, a promise, and a commitment,” she wrote.

Tazz with Beth Stern via North Shore Animal League

Tazz’s Journey Didn’t Stop There 

Tazz’s journey could have easily ended that day in Florida. But there were so many angels in disguise looking out for him. Instead of performing euthanasia, vets at Miami’s Redmond Animal Hospital knew he deserved a chance. His first foster mom, who would be one of several, Paola took him home.

Then, Stern, temporarily in the Sunshine State, gave him his next loving sanctuary. As soon as her thousands of followers saw Tazz, they fell in love with him and couldn’t wait to follow his journey.

“Howard and I fell in love with him immediately, and because he came to us on May 5, Cinco de Mayo, Howard started calling him ‘Guacamole,’” Stern wrote on her blog. “Tazz has a strong purr and an adorable raspy voice, which he uses a lot. We both love chatting with him and agree that it’s simply unbelievable that anyone could be so cruel to such a gentle family member at any time, never mind after 20 years!”

Image via North Shore Animal League

He loved the simple thing in life, sitting in the sunshine on a windowsill to chat with his foster mom. Life was good again.

“Tazz loves the sunshine.☀️🧡,” Stern shared.

“Tazz is an old man who loves LOVE (and other pets!),” shared Stern.

Beth Stern holds Tazz up to show the world on Instagram

Tazz, the Heartthrob, Finds a Home Fast

When Stern left Florida, her rescue partner, Kelly Rooney, gave Tazz a home for the next leg of his journey. That way, we was spared the stresses of air travel to New York. While Rooney planned to care for him however long it took, he was such a charmer that he immediately found a permanent home!

“Tazz (being the heartthrob that he is) found a home before we could even pack his toys up! 🧡 ,” shared Rooney.

Foster mom Kelly Rooney takes in Tazz.

A Life of Well-Earned Luxury

Tazz’s new family gave him all the love he deserved in his final days. They knew he had health issues and wanted to give him the best care and love they could. He spent his time luxuriating on a plush sofa like a King with no worries. Meanwhile, his mom could keep a constant eye on him while she worked from home.

“Tazz is relaxing in his room on his favorite sofa!!” shared razzamytazz.

Tazz relaxes in comfort on his favorite soft sofa.

Everyone was delighted to see him getting endless cuddles in comfort. Stern, Rooney, and the Northshore Animal League were delighted to see he was home at last. It’s heartwarming to see so many people come together for one senior kitty!

His mom gently brushed him, and his big brother sang to him.

“Ahh! My morning brushing with Mommy! Sooo Relaxing! Love Tazz ❤️❤️🐈”

Video via Instagram/razzamytazz

One day, he met his Aunt Becky, and they were instant Besties.

“My Aunt Becky came to meet me today! I have a new Bestie! ❤️❤️Love, Tazz xoxo,” they shared.

Tazz gives love to his favorite Aunt.

‘The Dream Has Just Begun’

When the time came, Tazz crossed the Rainbow Bridge. But he had love right to the end, and Mom held him in her arms as he made his way gently into the light. It was the loving ending he so deserved. No, it’s never easy, but love and the song of life endures forever.

“To say this decision was difficult is an understatement. The doctor said it ‘Is Tazz’s time.’ I held my baby during the procedure. There will never be another cat like my Tazz. As Stevie Nicks prolifically wrote ( and was the first song that played when I turned on my car after leaving the hospital)- Straight Back – so apropos. ‘and you will fly like some little wing straight back to the sun. The dream was never over. The dream has just begun…’ I love you forever and always, Tazz,” she wrote.

Tazz chats with Stern on a sunny windowsill.

“I am forever grateful for all the love you gave to this sweet boy these last weeks..When I handed Tazz over to you, we both knew he didn’t have much time left. You are a spectacular person. My wish for all my fosters is for them to be loved like you loved Tazz. You were his forever mama. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Tazz is in our hearts forever 🧡,” Stern said.

“Feeling nice and clean after my morning shower 🛀🚿 I love the water!! Tazz ❤️ “

“Thank you for having the courage and love to open up your heart and home to sweet Tazz, knowing his time with you was bound to be short. What a special human you are to give Tazz the loving home he deserved for his last little bit of time on earth. He gained his angel wings and will forever watch down on you and know you were HIS angel! God bless you,” said Rooney.