There will never be another
SMOKEY JOE

   
♥ ♥ ♥  Smokey Joe (better known as Smokey) was truly a magical cat. You didn't even have to know him personally to know it. He just was. He was an Office Manager at our first building and a member of the "Big Gray Cat Mafia" that ran the shelter. He was a very special part of Start Over Rover's own "Ruff Beginning".

Smokey was truly an inspiration. He endured his own hard times but was quick to forgive. He was very proud of himself and knew he was special. He also was a great judge of character. If Smokey didn't like you, you'd better have great references if you wanted to adopt!

Everyone loved Smokey. He had a certain magnetism that attracted people to him. It was almost impossible to not notice him in the building. If Smokey wanted to lie on your keyboard, no matter how many times you moved him to a fluffy cat bed...he was going to end up on your keyboard and you were going to have to work around his nap time.

Smokey's last days were very hard on everyone. He had developed an inoperable tumor and was starting to fade. We did our best to do things his way up until we laid him to rest. If he wanted to sleep on your coat, you'd better stay an extra shift! The day Dr. Tammy said it was time to say goodbye was the hardest. The building never felt the same after that.

No cat will ever take the place of Smokey. He was truly an icon at Start Over Rover. He will be forever in our hearts and in our minds...no matter where Start Over Rover moves to. There will be so many more cats and kittens and dogs and puppies that will come and go. But there will simply never be another Smokey. We miss you Smokey Joe. Words cannot express how much you will be missed. Thank you for the time you gave us and the lessons you taught us.  ♥ ♥ ♥