At the time of the year when the veil between this life and the next is thinnest, one very special soul has transcended the limits of this realm. It is with great sadness, that we share the news that the beloved Sir Thomas “Tommy” Trueheart passed away on the morning of November 1st, 2019. The once tortured cat was peacefully able to leave his scarred body in the arms of his doting humans. And after what he went through in his life, he deserved nothing less. You may be familiar with his story that flooded the news last year.
Sir Thomas “Tommy” Trueheart was the cat who survived acid being poured on his face.
We, as many others did, began following the sweet survivor after the story hit. It’s also how we learned of Milo’s Sanctuary and the amazing work they do.
Back in June of 2016, Tommy was living in the California desert as a stray. He was fortunate enough to have some humans feeding him, but they were unable to give him an official home. Then one day, the friendly boy showed up with horrific wounds. Someone had poured acid on his head, which devastatingly burned his eye and part of his face!
Even more shocking, the veterinarian Tommy was initially taken to misdiagnosed the severity of his injuries and wanted to just give him antibiotics, sending him on his way. Then after testing him, they found he was FIV+ and recommended he be put down. WHAT?!!!! You know how we at the CaM house feel about that ~ argh.
Thankfully, his caregivers knew this was absolutely unacceptable and contacted Milo’s Sanctuary. He was quickly rushed to their experienced vet staff who would provide Tommy with the best chance of surviving the unthinkable abuse.
Sir Thomas spent 3 months in and out of intensive care, requiring pain medications and antibiotics.
He underwent surgery and had skin grafts to repair the damage done by the acid. Being FIV+ also made his recovery more delicate as his compromised immune system needed to be monitored closely throughout the healing process.
Sadly, he did lose his eye from the ordeal. But he gained the moniker “Trueheart” in the process.
But Tommy wouldn’t ever need to worry again.
Tommy will remain in the care of Milo’s Sanctuary and their Lifetime Care Foster homes, where he has bonded closely with volunteers and staff. He is still experiencing some issues with his eye so he will continue to visit his vet regularly to ensure the proper care is available ASAP.
He even found the purrfect gal to call his own! Girlfriend Daisy, also missing an eye, is always there to support her man.
“This is a photo of me and my Lady Love Daisy from last Halloween. I was her dashing Knight and she my beautiful Princess.”
So as he settled into his new life, Sir Trueheart began using his newly found fame to help others. Or “paw it furward” as we say here.
He could regularly be found raising funds for his fur-iends at Milo’s Sanctuary; a true advo”cat” for those less fortunate!
And when CatCon reached out with a special “offur” for Tommy, he couldn’t turn them down.
In 2017, the 3rd annual CatCon was held, introducing their first CatCon Awards. Sir Thomas was the recipient of the Biggest Newcomer at CatCon award. His new celebri-cat status has been an amazing platform to raise awareness about injured, abused or disabled felines. He shows us all that no matter what we endure in this life, it is possible to hold our heads up high and persevere!
But with FIV cats, such as Tommy and another FIV+ spokes-kitty Marmalade, their immune systems are compromised.
Health is of the upmost importance. Michele knows that the sooner you catch any signs of sickness, the better chances of treating them. She is also amazing at updating Tommy’s and all the Milo’s Sanctuary cats social media followers.
Because they were just as worried, when over the next months, Tommy had a few setbacks that landed him at the vet. But with her watchful eye and attentive heart, he was soon on the mend.
When he began to feel poorly again on October 11th, 2019, Michele took him to the vet right away.
This is Michele and I’m the President of @milos_sanctuary but more importantly I’m Tommy’s rescuer and mom. This is probably my favorite photo of Tommy and Daisy and I wanted to share it with all of you.
Caption: “This is a photo of me and my Lady Love Daisy from last Halloween. I was her dashing Knight and she my beautiful Princess.”
Thank you for all your love and prayers for Tommy. I know he’s touched so many. And I know he’s made my life better and happier in so many ways. As many of you know he’s in the hospital again with another battle ahead. His anemia is back (due to his FIV+ status). The vets believe the virus is in his bone marrow destroying with red blood cells. They are doing all the can. I know my boy is a fighter and I will fight with him and long as he keeps fighting.
She kept her promise till the day he closed his eye for the final time.
On Friday, November 1st, Michele had to do what all of us who manage social influencer animals dread…
Announce to those who’d grown to love him from near and far, that Sir Thomas Trueheart’s reign was over.
Hi everyone,
This is Michele – Tommy’s mom and this is the hardest and saddest post I have ever had to write. This morning Tommy left this world in my arms surrounded by love after having his favorite treats.
Tommy had been fighting for so long and we tried so hard to conquer the FIV that had invaded his bone marrow and was destroying his red blood cells but at the end he told me it was time to go and I honored his wish.
My Knight in Shining Fur changed me and made me a better person. He loved unconditionally and taught me and the world about forgiveness. What a legacy he leaves and all who knew him across the world were touched by his strength and courage and the love he shared with all of us will never be forgotten.
Sir Thomas Trueheart will live on in all of us.
And we will continue to honor him and those cats we rescue by continuing his page and sharing with all of you the love and dedication he showed by living each day to its fullest.
For now we will mourn his passing and I will miss him more than words can ever express. I love him with all my heart and soul. I will miss his soft fur, his gentle demeanor and his ability to comfort me on my hardest days. But as a dear friend said to me “he will be around to protect the other babies at Milo’s with his giant lion spirit.” That is the way I will choose to remember him as my Papa Lion my brave and strong friend.
Tommy would want us to continue his lessons of compassion, forgiveness, love and strength and we will honor him by doing so each and every day. So in Tommy’s honor please do something kind and unexpected for a stranger, a friend, a loved one and know that by doing so you keep Tommy alive in all of our hearts. Brightest blessings, Michele
Our hearts, tears and prayers are with Michele, the entire Milo’s Sanctuary family and will always be with Sir. Thomas “Tommy” Trueheart.
Please also follow their organization on Instagram to see all their rescues. Tommy may have been one-of-a-kind, but each rescue animal receives the same love and care as he did. They are gratefully accepting donations to help care for their other residents, just as Tommy dedicated his life to doing.
That will actually include the newest kitten Cat Man Chris Poole, dad to internet “celebricats” Cole and Marmalade, has rescued. Read her story below! We know she is going to be in the best hands possible. We knew if before Tommy took his leave of us. And with his watchful eye looking over their organization, we know it’ll hold true forever.
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
Related Story: Sir Thomas Trueheart; Losing An Eye After Someone Poured Acid On Him Only Made Him Stronger!
Related Story: Lucky Black Kitten Crossed Paths With Famous Cat Rescuer; Rare Birth Defect Now Taking Her On Lifesaving Journey
No! Sir Thomas, no! Love always with you sweet man. You endured more than any living being should have been subjected to. I wish you rest in peace sweet boy.
Can you tell me what part of the dessert that Tommy was found? I feel like I have crossed paths with him. I have always wondered what happened to the cat in the dessert. I looked for him the next time we were out there, but could not find him.
I’m absolutely saddened
More than a human can be
People….who don’t get it …
Need to get it…
Look at how we treat fellow humans….let alone our fellow creatures on this God forsaken planet……I don’t get it…I never will…
My heartfelt sympathy to you, his mom, love, and his whole world for giving him a second chance in life. Know he loved you til the end and beyond and has left his paw prints on your heart. Bless you for not ever giving up on all his struggles and helping him have some dignity at the end of his life. Sending my sympathy and healing thoughts your way.
He was loved and treasured, and had a peaceful, good end. That is the best we can do for our beloved fur kids.
I am so sorry for your loss he knew what love was sorrounded by those that loved him he has been restored back to health he is running and chasing birds & butterflies he has made new friends he will be waiting and when the time comes he will be reunited with those he loved and called a family at rainbow bride. ?????
Sir Thomas the knight in shiny fur amour you will be truly missed.
MY LOVE FOR ANIMALS OUT WEIGHS MY CARE FOR HUMANS. IVE NEVER MET AN ANIMAL I DIDNT LOVE…GOD BLESS ALL THAT CARED FOR SIR THOMAS..HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE NOW..NO MORE HUMANS TO HURT HIM…HE WILL REMEMBER ALL WHO LOVED HIM……GOD BLESS…REMEMBER SIR THOMAS WILL SEE YOU ALL AGAIN….AMEN,CAROL
Hugs and love.
God Bless you Sweet Cat.
Over the years, my husband and I have rescued many, many cats – sick, injured, abandoned – and these lovely felines have blessed our lives immeasurably. So, knowing all the joys and pains of Sir Thomas’s life, we celebrate his joy in being rescued and receiving the love and care he did from his wonderful adoptive family. Our deepest sympathy…I am sure this handsome boy was greeted warmly as he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge ~
No words for what Sir Thomas Trueheart suffered before he found his way to you. Thank goodness he knew love and caring and so very sorry for your loss, I can’t imagine what you are going through?
Deepest sympathies to his humans and to Daisy, I hope she is taking things ok it’s always hard to lose someone but it’s even harder when it’s someone who literally “completes” them when they are bonded. I remember when I first read about his story I became a big weepy angry baby that someone would harm such a beautiful sweet creature but then finding out he found a home and friends that cared about him made me feel a bit better. RIP
What an Angel you are.. Every animal deserves a chance..How cruel this world can be..More people need to adopt and not Shop..these loving souls give such unconditional Love. May you RIP Tommy.??
RIP Sir Thomas you are much loved???
Thomas true heart was such a BEAUTIFUL kitty. I did not know him, but I am crying like a baby right now. I run a small, non-profit rescue opportunity myself in my home. I have seen the good, and the TRAGIC. Every loss is a hole in my heart. My youngest rescue was ONE week old, his first-time mom had 3 kittens, one couldn’t get the hang of the nipple, so she tried to bite him to death. I saved him. He is Beautiful and Loving❤
RIP SWEET FELLA YOU ARE WITH THE ANGELS AND AT PEACE. GOD BLESS ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED HIM.
So sorry for your loss. What a powerful story and legacy he left behind.
Rest and Peace ? sweet ❤️ ? Angel……….?????
God bless Sir Thomas and his family. Rest in peace beautiful boy.
This is a sad story with a happy ending. I do not believe the Railroad is at fault here, but the supervisor surely is. I also don’t believe it was the rules. This man, in short, has an ego problem. He told someone not to do something…and they did. He didn’t seem to care about anything but “being the boss.” How dare this kindhearted employ go against his orders? We don’t know what story he gave to get the employee fired. We do know that when faced with the truth, the Railroad did the right thing. The worst punishment the supervisor could get is, not being fired, but, being kept on and demoted. Just the kind of thing his ego could use.
If anyone wants to help Tommy’s rescue group and get a great t-shirt with Tommy & Daisy, go here: https://www.bonfire.com/tommy-daisy-true-love/ I bought the long-sleeve version. RIP Sweet Tommy!
A king’s legacy will live on after he ascends this earthly plane, and it is that EVERY cat and kitten is a miracle and deserves kindness, respect, protection and LOVE always. In Sir Thomas Trueheart’s name and memory, we will continue to work every day to make it so. Our heartfelt condolences to all of his loved ones and all whose lives he has touched.
rest in peace kind sir . Know that you were loved
Sir Thomas – enjoy heaven! Look over Daisy! I love you! My apologies that my human race hurt you so. Rest now! Be playful!
It is with lots of tears that I send this message. I am shocked and so sad to hear of the passing of Sir Thomas. When I first stumbled upon Tommy’s story I fell in love with him right away. Tommy was an inspiration to me. I’m so happy that Tommy was able to live his final years with people who loved him so much. I’m also happy that Tommy found love with the beautiful Daisy. May you rest in peace sweet Tommy. I will never forget you.
This is just to sad! Even tho I did not know him, I know he is in kitty heaven doing his best to help others. He will surely be missed by all who knew him!