A young woman was devastated when she went into hospice care for cancer and had to give up the loves of her life, two bonded and beautiful kitties, Thumbelina and Emma Rose. But she knew they would have all the care they needed when rescuer Beth Stern took them in.
“Thumbelina is the sweetest!!! She and her much younger sister, Emma Rose, are an absolute delight. 🩷👯♀️🩷” Stern wrote.
Thumbelina is the most stunning senior cat. At 14, she’s a spectacular meowdel, looking prettier in every picture. And her sister Emma Rose, 5, is a beauty too, and never far away. They had always been together, and Stern made sure they always would be. It was surely a relief to their mom beyond words.
Thumbelina the senior kitty is a stunning meowdel. Images via Instagram/bethostern
Emma Rose loves to bask in the sunbeams.
Thumbelina and Emma Rose
“New fosters… this story will break your heart. Their human is in hospice (she is my age..) and she had to give up her girls because no friend or family member could take them..she has very little time left. We’ve been sending her updates since they arrived last week,” shared Stern over the summer of 2023.
Stern holding Thumbelina
The Sisters Did Great in Their Foster Home
It must have been so confusing for the cats to find themselves away from their mom. But the sisters were together and adjusted well to their new loving foster home.
Very quickly, they became favorites on Stern’s social media as she became attached to the sisters. But she knew they would soon begin a new life together.
“I’ve gotten so attached to Thumbelina and Emma Rose… they have been through so much and my heart feels their happily ever after will soon begin,🩷🌹🩷” Stern wrote.
One morning, Thumbelina gave Stern a smooch, and the picture was #8 on Howard Stern’s list of 100 people who made his show great in 2023!
“Morning forehead smooch from Thumbelina. 💘”
Improved Health for Thumbelina
As a senior kitty, Thumbelina needed some dental work, and she got it, doing well after the dentist extracted four troublesome teeth. She was feeling so much better after the dental work.
“Glorious Thumbelina.. 🎀 (she’s getting her dental tomorrow!)🩷”
As you can see below, Thumbelina loves nothing more than cuddles.
Video via Instagram/bethostern
Basking in the Sunbeams
Meanwhile, Emma Rose was often found relaxing in the sunbeams. The two sisters had no worries, a comfort for everyone to see.
“Emma Rose chillin’ in the sunbeams.🩷☀️🌹”
“Another day and Emma is still rolling in the sunbeams… ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️🩷”
Emma Rose loves to bask in the sunbeams.
Thumbelina and Emma Rose Search for Home
In late July, the sisters found a home together, and it looked like it would be furever. But unfortunately, it didn’t work out and their adopter returned them to Stern in late October.
Stern was delighted to see them again, and they were happy to see her too! But, it was also sad to see them come back when their adopter couldn’t care for them anymore. Nevertheless, the sisters were “as delightful and loving as ever,” adapting to everything that came their way. Cats are incredibly resilient and teach us a lot about how to live life in the present.
“Thumbelina and Emma did nothing wrong. I was so happy to see them again, as much as the situation saddens me. I promised them I’d find them their real forever family this time. 🩷👯♀️🩷 Welcome back, girls, and I’m sorry…,” Stern wrote.
Emma Rose and her sister Thumbelina return to Beth Stern’s care.
“Returns are rough for me, but i try to always remain positive for the sake of the cat(s),” Stern said.
A Happy Ending and Peace
By November, Stern was preparing to say goodbye again as the ladies were about to meet their new family. This time, they found a home with former adopters! The family had adopted two senior cats from Stern before, Tiger and Oreo, and cared for them until the day they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Now, it was time to open their hearts and home again.
We know the sister’s first mom found peace, knowing that no matter what happened, her darlings would always be in a loving home. Rescuing cats is also about helping and enriching the lives of people who care so much for their beloved companions.
“I hope you and Emma always remember me, Thumbelina!🩷”
“Emma Rose and Thumbelina are headed forever home this time!!!!! My heart is so happy for the girls going to one of my wonderful former adopters,” Stern shared.
Thumbelina and Emma Rose go home!
Today, Thumbelina and her sister are doing great in their Philadelphia home. You can see more of them on Instagram.
“The queen of all she surveys 👑👑” shared Thumbelina and Emma Rose.
Thumbelina is the Queen of the stairs.
“That feeling when you have to go back to work after a long weekend…😿”
Emma Rose on the sofa in her furever home in Philly.
