In 1999 a sleek, handsome, black and white tuxedo cat strides toward the spot where he and others of a feral cat colony on Jupiter Island come each day to receive food and fresh water. The cats feed and drink and, for most of them it's the only meal they'll have that day. Maris Sine and her friend Ellie Booth then pick up the food and water bowls and leave for the day.

Each day the cats all come to this same place at this same time of day to be fed. One day in early summer every cat but the tuxedo cat arrived and were fed. He didn't appear the next day, nor the following ones. Several weeks go by and one day he painfully walks toward the feeding spot. His coat hangs loosely from his skeletal structure and he is minus his tail. Ellie and Maris are horrified by his appearance.

He was allowed to eat a little and was then scooped up and rushed to a vet who examined him and said the prognosis was not good. The veterinarian operated and did whatever he could to alleviate the cat's suffering. Days later, Maris picked up the cat and took him home, determined to do whatever she could to nurse this once handsome creature back to health. It took close to a year but Domino, the name given to him by Maris, recovered and was in reasonably good health.

Maris and her husband Charley moved to Palm City and established a no-kill, non-profit cat shelter on their property in 2002. Word soon got out and the cats started coming: the abandoned, the abused, the ones who no longer please, (for whatever reason), the ones whose owners can no longer care for them due to illness, the litters of kittens someone doesn't want. The list goes on and on and on.

Along with the responsibilities of the shelter, Maris and Ellie continued to feed the colony and after the hurricanes of 2004 they trapped the remaining cats, some had perished in the storms, and brought them home to the shelter.

Domino greeted all the new arrivals and seemed to welcome them to the fold. He didn't begrudge the time and attention they got from Maris, he knew he had a special place in her heart.

The shelter cares for about 145 cats and Maris knows the age, name, circumstances of every cat there. Many cats have been adopted out to good homes, many more need them. New ones quickly take the place left by the lucky adopted ones; there are just too many cats needing shelter and there is a limit on how many can be cared for. All the cats get spayed or neutered, unless they're too young, get needed vaccinations every year and visits to a vet when necessary.

If everyone would spay or neuter their pet(s), it would go a long way to alleviating this problem. The shelter, among many others around the country, would love to be put out of business. Hours are from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday and weekdays by appointment at Domino's House. Cats are also shown at PetSmart in Jensen Beach on Fridays from 2 to7 pm. For more information call 772-781-5592 or email to maris2@hsapl.org.

Domino died this past July 9 th while being held in Maris' arms. He was a cat of courage, dignity and compassion and is sorely missed. Domino's House goes on, treating each cat and kitten with tender loving care. This is Domino's Legacy.

When you start making your Christmas lists or your year-end charitable donations, please think of Domino's House. Your donation can help provide for necessary vaccinations, spaying/neutering, food, litter, toys, etc., etc. The address is PO Box 1608, Palm City, FL 34990. Thank you.