Time goes too fast. If there was one thing in the world that I could change, it would be to make time move more slowly.
Oreo’s gotcha day was August 25, 2013. He was found outdoors by my brother-in-law. My sister is highly allergic to cats, so I offered to take him in. It didn’t take long to fall completely in love with him. Oreo had a rough start and was quite ill for the first few months of his life due to a nasty parasite, but with lots of love and care, he pulled through. At that time in my life, I was in a very dark place, and Oreo inspired me to put my positive energy into creating. I began creating artwork of him, taking photos and filming videos, and posting them online. A large creator that I was working with at the time (N2 The Talking Cat) saw Oreo’s photo and asked to share it on his Facebook page. I accepted, not thinking much of it, and woke up the next day to tens of thousands of followers on his page. This tiny disheveled kitten was suddenly of interest to people all over the world. This is how “The Oreo Cat” was born and how I began my journey as a content creator.
From a popular Vine account to a full-on explosion on Musical.ly (known as TikTok today), 2016 became the beginning of a now full-time content creator career. Working with Oreo was a joy from day one. He was very intelligent and what I would call a great “Catctor”.
Not only was Oreo an amazing colleague, but he was also a very dear friend. He helped me to pull through a difficult divorce in 2018 and gave me much-needed hope for a new life. We moved to a new city and I bought my first home, a modest condo in Saint-Zotique, Quebec. Then Covid-19 hit. During the pandemic, I decided to begin going live daily on Facebook for people who were quarantined and alone. This resulted in our Facebook page exploding with a plethora of new followers. In 2021, I quit my job as an ESL teacher and began creating content full-time.
Over the past few years, we have amassed millions of followers across our social media channels and built an amazing, caring, generous, and supportive online community. Our followers are really among the best in the world, and I am so grateful for each and every one of them. They have seen us through thick and thin and been there through the toughest of times.
Then, in late June of 2024, I got the worst news I’ve ever had in my entire life. Oreo had cancer. He had been ill for a few weeks and was in and out of the vet clinics without any concrete diagnosis. We finally decided to do an ultrasound, which ultimately led to his diagnosis. The moment I found out, it was like my heart was pulled right out of my chest. This little wonderful being who had given me so much and never asked for anything in return was now quickly on the inevitable path to the rainbow bridge.
Oreo had large-cell lymphoma. He had multiple lesions in his GI tract. I was given a few different options as far as treatment, but even the best one didn’t yield a very good prognosis. I was ready to do whatever it took, but at the same time, I needed to consider Oreo’s best interest and not be selfish. It’s the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. It’s still gut-wrenching to think about.
The clinic that he was being treated at was over an hour away. He would have had to go in for weekly intravenous treatments for the next few months. There was also no guarantee the treatment would work. So I looked inside myself and I asked Oreo what he wanted. I knew just by the way he looked at me that he wanted me to leave him be.
I even took an appointment with our Animal Communicator to discuss it, and when she asked Oreo what he wanted, Oreo said exactly what he showed me to her. He wanted me to leave him be. He wanted to stay at home with his family and to enjoy the time he had left, however long or short. He knew exactly what was happening. So, I honored his wishes. We did the least invasive treatment, which was a chemo pill that he had to take once a month and a cortisone pill that he took daily.
The first couple of weeks, he started doing better. The cortisone seemed to really help him, but only for a short time. Unfortunately, he began to deteriorate quite quickly after the third week and ultimately passed only five weeks after being first diagnosed. The day he left was both sad and a relief because he was no longer suffering. Oreo passed peacefully at home in my arms on August 14, 2024, just a few weeks shy of his gotcha day (August 25th). I still miss him every day.
It took quite some time for me, as well as my other cats, Onyx and Pudding, to come to terms with the loss. I am grateful that we had one another as comfort. Thankfully, in October of 2024, we welcomed Olive, a feisty little calico who shares the same birthday as Oreo, into our lives. She is much like he was, and I really believe Oreo sent her to us.
Time goes too fast. If there was one thing in the world that I could change, it would be to make time move more slowly.
Featured images provided by Tina Modugno, <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/theoreocatofficial”>@theoreocatofficial</a>
Where to follow Tina, Onyx, Pudding, and Olive:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOreoCat
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theoreocat
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theoreocat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoreocatofficial
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@theoreocatofficial
X: https://x.com/TheOreoCat
Tumblr: https://theoreocat.tumblr.com/
Website: https://www.theoreocat.com/
Links: https://beacons.ai/theoreocat
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45 Responses
Dear Tina,
I loved your tribute for Oreo. You were a great mother to Oreo and you continue being a great human (and mom) towards Pudding, Onyx and Olive.
With love,
Rena Kontari
Athens Greece
😻Thank you for your comment Rena
I love love love the way Pudding and Olive are so playful and loving with you Tina. I have two kattykitties as my granddaughter calls them. One male and one female. The female is sweet and loving to me like Olive and Oreo . The male playful and loving on his terms just like your Pudding!!! It’s amazing the joy these little creatures bring us.
May you continue to find happiness with your three babies and I know Oreo wi. Live on forever in your heart.
😻Thank you
Tina,
That was so beautiful, as was Oreo. Olive & Pudding like to keep things stirred up a bit and Onxy seems like a quiet kitty. I am an older lady who follows you. My birthday is also August 25, and I was adopted as a baby, so my parents could have called Aug. 25 my "Gotcha Day." Love to you all.
Thanks for your comment, Sharon, and happy birthday, “Gotcha Day” soon! LOVE
I want to thank YOU, Oreo, Onyx, Pudding and Olive for bringing so much light, love and hope into my life and all of our lives. I've been going through very dark time these days. So your love for your cats and the whimsical/light-hearted energy you create in your content and the amazing personalities of your kitties, have helped me to feel more joy and that I'm not alone in this world. My fur boys Mochi and his brother Sisko adore all of you so much.
Thank you sooooo much to all of you for all the good you are doing in this crazy world of ours. Oreo continues to live on in our hearts for sure.
Thanks for your comment Meg. We are delighted to see how cat content can improve the lives of all.
Thank you for sharing Oreo, Onyx, Pudding and now Olive. I've always had and loved cats but am now just too tired to properly care for any pets, so i'm thoroughly enjoying all of yours. Good Job and Good Luck!
Thank you for your comment, Mary McNally. We enjoy them too.
Thank you, Tina and all the fluffs for making me laugh when I needed the most. All of my fur babies have now crossed the rainbow bridge so I’m taking a little pet break and giving myself time to reevaluate everything. But I love watching you and the fluffs interact every day. I try to send as many stars as I can and I hope they help. Forever grateful Lauri Sloan from Sacramento, California.
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I’m so happy that you found Olive and I firmly agree that Oreo sent her to you and your sweet kitties. I don’t doubt that for one minute! Oreo was such a sweet cat and I know how much you loved him, and how much he was loved by your online friends and family!
Thank you for sharing your tribute of Oreo with us! God bless you
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I am so very sorry for your loss of Oreo! A handsome kitty but more importantly a dear one. I will keep you both in my thoughts. And may Olive bring you love & joy!
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This is a lovely tribute to dear Oreo. I also think that he sent little Olive to comfort you as he knows how much you miss him. Thank you for sharing this journey with your Facebook friends. Take good care of yourself, Pudding, Onyx, and Olive: you are a wonderful family.
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I'm Virginia Marshall. Sir Patches is my 8 year old 😺 kitty. We lost 2 kitties 😸 😢 😔 of this year. One in May, and the other in June. Sir Patches has been strangely disconnected and sad. We're gonna get a young kitten, about 10 – 12 weeks old. I hope and pray 🙏🏼 🤲 that Sir Patches will be happy, as he feels better. Just to let you know, we loved Oreo. When I found out of his cancer, something inside of me crashed. I will love Oreo and think of him, probably forever. He carried that impact on my heart. I will keep you and the other 3 in my prayers. I have grown to love all of you. May our LORD GOD Almighty bless y'all 🙌 🙏🏼 and keep you strong and safe, always….with love and warmth, vj…
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Hi Tina
I loved Oreo. He was such a sweetheart and I love watching your videos.
Oreo, onyx pudding, and olive
My nephews tease me because I have cats of my own
Dear, I want to send you something I wanted to send it before but I did not have your address
And now that it’s the one year anniversary of your sweet baby boy Oreo I need to send this to you
You were always in my thoughts and prayers
I know how hard it is
To lose one of those precious little babies
They are our children
And they’re absolutely precious
Would you please send me your address so I can go and send this to you
Thank you very much honey
You stay strong, because that is what that little guy would want
May God bless you and watch over all of you
Lisa
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Tina, thank you so much for sharing Oreo with the world, and especially his final journey on this Earth. My family just lost our wonderful gray lion to cancer, and although it's been very hard, your videos and writings helped us be more prepared for the difficult day. Wishing all the best to you and your family!
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DEAR TINA I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF OREO…. I LOVED. OREO SO MUCH.
AND I STILL DO….
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Believe you me I know your pain at losing a part of your family. And yes,our animals ARE our family! You gave him a great life for so many years. What a great story about your Oreo!
God Bless!
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absolutely beautiful.
I find you to be very creative when you talk to your cats and they talk to you. You have a special talent that your cats take full advantage of, that brings smiles and laughter. I can watch you guys after a long day at work and have a reason to smile. Your history of Oreo is one of him finding you. Thank you. You guys are awesome!
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Beautifully written by a wonderful cat Mom!
Agreed!😻🪽
Beautiful tribute to Oreo. There are just some cats who become part of your soul and Oreo was that for you. ❤️🐾
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I believe I discovered you about 3 years ago. Once I watched one of your live streams, I was immediately a fan and was hooked! I absolutely love your personality and especially your laugh. I had 3 cats when I was a child. After getting married (a long time ago) and going through a difficult time, we got our then, 6 year old daughter, a cat and named him Oreo! He was a normal size kitten. However, as he grew he got huge! He wasn't necessarily "fat" huge, he had big paws and was a large cat! He got kidney disease and after one surgery, he was better for a few years, then got sick again and we had to let him go. He was 15 years old. It was so hard. Our kids have since grown and left the home and had their own children. since we have to travel to see them we weren't going to get another cat. However, the house we bought after moving 3 years ago, ended up having nouse issues. So we got another cat! I'm so thankful. I love cats. He's an orange cat and is quite entertaining!!! So I was drawn to Pudding and Oreo right away. I've enjoyed your live streams and appreciate your willingness to be transparent. I admire that. Keep on keeping on!
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thank You Tina for sharing life live or fotos or Nice videos with your cats and I cant bet that everybody loved Oreo and web miss him a lot. Maybe you're right, Oreo has sent Olive in your life.
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I started to look at the pitures on line .
It was Oreo, Onyx p, and Pudding.
Then I watch the live stream before Oreo had cancer.
Then I never stopped watching it.
I enjoyed it.
Felt really sad for Oreo and family!
I miss you Oreo. I still love you even though we never met. RIP sweet boy.
I have followed Tina and TheOreoCat since Covid. I love her live streams and her various channels… they are the highlight of my day 💖🐾🥰😘😍
Hey, what a sweet tribute to Oreo and I know he was special to you, Tina. Anyone who thinks that funny, sure doesn't have any heart at all. May God Bless you and Pudding, Onyx and Olive.
What a beautiful tribute to such wonderful soul. Much love❣️
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