Josie Anderson-Truett

Spring, 2012 – April 30, 2026

Josie Anderson/Truett lost her battle with what is believed to be a very aggressive brain tumor April 30, 2026. She was 14 years old. Josie was preceded in death by her mother, Mama Kitty II, of the State Museum Feral Colony and her half-sister, Thelma, of the home. She leaves behind her half-sister, Freda. Josie was named after the title character of the 1970’s animated television series ”Josie and the Pussycats”.

In 2012, the State Museum Feral Colony was home to a Siamese mix female cat named, oddly enough, Mama Kitty II. She had a litter at the Colony in Spring, 2012. Josie was part of that litter and remained at the Colony for a year.

But Josie had other plans…

She worked very hard to convince Valerie and Stoney that she was not feral. She did that by allowing Valerie to pet and hold her. Valerie was rewarded with head bonks in return. Josie, soon after, became a resident of Cayce House of Cats (CHOC). She had a room of her own (in Valerie’s office) with their half-sisters, Freda and Thelma (from Mama Kitty II’s 2013 Spring litter).

Josie was always the best behaved of any of the residents of CHOC. She never strayed from the litter box. She always ate her meals (with great gusto). She never gave a minute of trouble. She would always be in Valerie’s lap at the computer – constantly letting her know the “The stooped computer is not important. am the one that is important!”. She would always win. Valerie had to learn how to type with one hand while petting Josie with the other.

A couple years ago, Josie’s right eye started getting cloudy. This was not a large concern, as she was 12 years old at the time. A veterinary check diagnosed a cataract – but nothing could be done. She would adapt with limited vision.

A few months ago; however, Josie appeared to have some pain and swelling in the eye. Pain medication and steroids were a short-term solution, but her eye ultimately had to be removed to alleviate the pain.

Then her health began its downhill roll. Josie had an unsteady gate, would walk in circles, and would not allow examinations of her mouth. These symptoms looked like an inner ear infection – but, realistically, we knew this was something different. And, still, disability did not stop Josie from giving constant head bonks and providing gentle reminders that SHE was the one to get attention – and no one else!

Josie was scheduled for dental surgery – in the hope it would relieve her mouth pain. Unfortunately, the veterinarian could not open her jaw for the procedure. We reluctantly agreed to have her euthanized. She went quietly on our laps as we stroked the head that had rewarded us with all those bonks over the years.

Rest now, sweet Josie. You are with your Mama and Thelma and the other departed members of your Colony and former residents of CHOC.

We miss your adamant insistence for attention.

But, most of all, we miss those head bonx.

We love you…