Item SKU: 26109
With affection
I love our friendship!
Your Stories 
On April 22, my daughter had to make the decision to put down one of our 1 year old kittens who was hit by a car and severely injured. My daughter was devestated. I know her pain because this past December I had to make the same decision on our old family cat who was sick. Our cats are our babies and we are conflicted with the fine line of doing what is best for them. Our hearts are broken. I am buying her the angel holding the cat to help her get through her pain. This is a difficult time.
Submitted by Debbra in MO, April 2012
I had two wonderful long haired grey kitties who I loved with all my heart. Chloe, who chose me to live with from across the driveway where she lived in a horrible home, brought so much joy to me for my time with her. She died in February 2010.
Last year for Christmas my dear cousin gave me the angel holding a grey kitty. I put it next to Chloe's ashes and it gives me comfort to think of her in the arms of the angels.
This February I lost my dear Reba. Reba was a truly amazing cat. She traveled everywhere with us in her last years of life and was always by my side. The pain and loss I feel is terrible. To make matters worse I lost my mom in January. The two losses together have been hard to take.
I found another angel with the grey kitty and put it next to Reba's ashes. She is consigned to the angels and hopefully with my mom who she loved.
I never knew about these statues before Lori gave me one. Now they bring comfort and a little bit of peace as they stand watch over my little girls.
Thanks for the beautiful depictions of the angels to remind us that we are not alone.
Submitted by Shirley in PA, April 2012
About 6 years ago my daughter was given two of your beautiful Willow Tree figurines:
1) A tree, a prayer and 2) Courage
Recenlty I lost my friend and Frankie after 13 years. Frankie a beautil gray cat. A few days after my loss, my daughter-in-law and son brought a gift to me, With Affection. This was given to me in rememberance of my friend Frankie and has touched my heart and has a special place of display in my home. Thank you for this special creation.
Submitted by Elsie in USA, February 2012
I had a cat which Ireally loved, but I had to give him back to nature to be happier. I still have a sad heart and miss him too much. I wanted to have something to remind me of him and that I could carry everywhere and to help me heal.
Thank you.
Submitted by niloo in iran, January 2012
On Thursday, December 15th, I had to have our 13-year-old cat, Gray, put to sleep because she was very sick. I spent some alone-time with her at the veterinary clinic before it was time for her to go to sleep. I found that half-hour I spent with her to be priceless. She knew she was in my arms, that I was there for her and loved her, and that she could go in peace. While doing some final Christmas shopping in a Hallmark store a few days later, there on the shelf was your angel holding a gray cat! I got one for me and also one for my daughter, Molly, who also loved Gray very much. That angel ("With Affection") was the best gift that I got this Christmas; it was Molly's best gift too. Thank you so much for your heartwarming angels!!! It is therapeutic and healing for me everytime I look at it!
Submitted by Sherry in Wisconsin, January 2012
Last week I had to have my beloved 18+ year old cat put to sleep. I happened to be in the Hallmark store looking for a Christmas gift for a friend. I looked up and there was the angel holding a cat. It brought tears to my eyes thinking about the cat I just lost. This was the With Affection angel. I just had to buy that angel for myself in rememberance of the cat that I just lost. She was a great friend to me and will be greatly missed.
Submitted by Teresa in CO, December 2011
Our cat Thor named so because he has an extremely loud purr likes to be carried on the left shoulder like the kitty on the figurine. Sadly, we found out he was a terminal a few days ago and will have to say goodbye. I'm already mourning. Though we have only had him for two years he seemed to carry on the spirit of a kitty we had before him. It's like losing him all over again.
My husband was looking for the perfect present to make me feel better and this is what I asked for. He thought it was wonderful so he picked it up for me at a gift shop. I'm looking at it now and it fills me with such peace and hope.
The stories I read here also warmed my heart. Thank you all for sharing your stories!
Submitted by Bree in British Columbia, Canada, August 2011
I brought this figure a year or so after my parents brought home a little black kitten called Pippi. I was about 11 years old at this time and was bullied at school, and coming home to my little companion always kept me smiling. This figure represents our relationship completely even 7 years on and the once mad, playful kitten now happily snoozes by the fire.
Submitted by Ellie in Derby, June 2011
My husband gave this gift to me for Christmas 2010. I had recently had to put down my beloved cat Rube earlier in October. I cried harder than I ever had in my life when I had to say goodbye. This cat did not just represent a cat to me, but a friend that was by my side. He was there when I got my first apartment, first job after college, planning my wedding, and the beginnings of married life. When I said goodbye to him I gave him specific instructions to find my grandpa in Heaven, Grandpa adored animals, and he would watch over him until I arrived. This figurine reminds me of someone in Heaven watching over my Rube until we are able to be reunited again.
Submitted by Jennifer in OH, June 2011
I received this angel from my mom this past Christmas. I am deaf and was so touched by its beauty. I also have With Affection. This form of Art is so inspiring Thank you so much for creating it. May God continue to bless you as you do his work.
Submitted by simone in va, April 2011
When our three children were very young we rescued a kitten that was thrown from a truck on an interstate. Since it was a stormy day the kids named her Stormy. Other ideas included roadkill, thunder cat--of course those were my husband's ideas.
We had Stormy as a part of our lives for 21 years. Last night we had to put her to sleep since she was suffering with cancer. It was very painful, and then even more painful to watch our children, now 26, 24 and 22, grieve. They truly do not know life without her.
When I came to work this morning I found a gift on my desk. Four coworkers had given me a wonderful card and the Willow Tree "With Affection" statue. I am so blessed to work with such wonderful people. I will treasure this angel and have fond memories of Stormy forever.
Thank you!
Submitted by Kathy in MN, April 2011
Late last year (2010) my cat Magix, whom I've raised since he was a few weeks old, ran away. We live out in the middle of nowhere with wild animals and what not. Ever since he ran away I've tried to trick myself into believing that someone saw him out and about, picked him up and took him to a good home; but I've also come to the terms that he may have died.
Regardless, this wonderful little figure gives me comfort, when I see it. I know that regardless of where he is he's being taken care of. Also we've lost a lot of animals over the years. I also have "Angel of Friendship" that has an angel holding a dog, and both of those give me a lot of comfort.
Thank you so much for making these beautiful figures I can't wait to get more and watch my collection grow over the years.
Tatiana
Submitted by Tatiana-Rose in United States, April 2011
My wife had not seen her niece Laura, who is now 24 years old, for over ten years. We live in New Jersey now, but our niece lives in Australia. After re-connecting with her family in Australia, Laura decided to come visit us. We had a wonderful time together. Before leaving, Laura presented a WillowTree figurine to my wife, Susan. After Laura left, my wife lovingly looked at the gift and said how thoughtful a gift it was.
Submitted by Bob in nj, February 2011
I purchased Kindness at Christmas as a tribute to my darling cat Jess who passed away in October, and I also have With Affection for my other little cat Kylie who passed away three years ago. I love to look at them as they remind me of when I held my cats and all the joy they gave me over the years.
Submitted by Doreen in UK, January 2011
For three years we have had two cats, brother and sister-their names are Snörre and Kanel. This year we moved. In the flat we had before, our cats couldn`t go out as there was a busy road and we lived on the 3rd floor. When we moved we let them out and they were the happiest cats. It worked very well. They always came back during the day, not only for feeding, but also for cuddling and sleeping. One day, Snörre didn`t come in the morning to get his food. I was already very worried and started searching after him. Three days of searching day and night, being worried, missing him and crying followed. Still no sign! Then I remembered a shop that I had seen years ago in Stockholm with the angels of Susan Lordi in their window. The angel with the cat in her arm touched me. These days I didn`t buy one. I live in Germany and I also remembered, that I`ve seen this angel in one of the shops in my town. I went there and I bought this angel with the cat. I felt that I needed a good and strong angel who could bring me back my Snörre. As I was missing Snörre so much, I lit a candle next to the angel so that Snörre would find his way back home. And--the next morning he was back, sitting in his basket and wanting to lie down and sleep. Probably he was locked somewhere and couldn't get out. He is now back and healthy and always finds his way back home. For sure it had to do with the angel next to his basket. My heart is back to happiness and I love my two cats so much. I thank you from the depth of my heart for this experience.
Submitted by Liv in Germany, December 2010
I have a small collection of Willow Tree figures. Two of the most recent I received were given to me when my mother passed away in September. Today my oldest child, aged 23, gave me a Willow Tree figure. It was the affection figure with a cat being held. What makes this gift so special is that this is the first gift that my son has ever bought me. He has participated in giving gifts, but the gifts were always picked out and purchased by someone else. I love the Willow Tree figure and cried when I opened it. It meant so much to me that my son picked it out and bought it all by himself for me.
Submitted by Sherry in Ga, November 2010
I am a teacher. All of the Willow Tree figurines I own have been given to me by students. During this past school year, I had to have my cat put down. She had been in my life for 16 years. It was a very difficult decision, but one that needed to be done. In order to get my mind off of the dreaded vet appointment on that Friday evening, I went to work as usual and kept my sadness hidden from my students. I had the weekend to grieve and return to school without anyone knowing of my loss. On the Monday I returned to school, there was a box on my desk--giftwrapped--marked from one of my special students. Inside the box was the "With Affection" figurine of a girl holding a cat. It immediately brought tears to my eyes as the angel was snuggline with a gray cat. My cat was gray. The student had known nothing about my weekend, so I choose to believe that the figurine was a sign from above. The angels had my girl and she was now much better off.
Submitted by Michelle in Minnesota, October 2010
I was the proud mama to my two wonderful cats, William and Harry, both of whom went to the Rainbow Bridge within eight months of each other this past year.
I had almost 18 glorious and loving years with these two furry angel boys and I miss them so much every day. When I saw the "With Affection" Angel, I knew that having it in my home and being able to see it every day would be a beautiful way to honor Wills and Harry and to remember our years together.
What can I say? I will never NOT miss them, but this lovely angel makes me grateful to still feel this much love for my two little angels who are watching over me.
Thank you for such an amazing array of gifts that truly HEAL the wounded hearts out there. I plan on giving them as gifts to my loved ones who have lost the loves of their lives too.
Blessings and thanks.
Submitted by Bernadette in CA, September 2010
I was just 21 years old when my Russian Blue cat, Andy, came into my life. I was struggling with major depression and he gave me a reason to live. We bonded so closely. When I moved out of my parents' house at 24, he came with me and with each subsequent move. He was my best friend. When the man who became my husband started hanging around, Andy got VERY jealous and let him know he wasn't wanted! Eventually he grew on Andy and we were a happy family. Since Andy wasn't known for liking "outsiders," including children, I was concerned when I became pregnant. But it was just as though he knew what was happening. When my son Craig came home, Andy came up, sniffed him and just went on his way. That was approval for him! Andy began showing his age around 2004, so I took extra care of him. For my birthday in June 2005, my husband gave me this angel--I think it was my second one. Tears came to my eyes as it really embodies how I feel. My dear Andy passed away in February 2006, just three months shy of being 21 years old. It still hurts; I miss him so much. But this figurine reminds me of our love for each other and I know that he waits for me on the other side.
Submitted by Nancy in Minnesota, September 2010
I started my collection in high school when my cheerleading coach gave me one as a 'Thank You' gift for my dedication during the season, it was the Friendship figuirine of the angel holding the cat. My love for Willow Tree started there. I received the "Promise" figurine for my bridal shower from my mother and from there my collection has grown. I now own seven Willow Tree angels, figurines, etc. and will continue buying more. I love the design of them. They are just beautiful. Keep creating beautiful pieces! Thank you!
Submitted by Megan in Ohio, February 2010
I bought this for my mother on her birthday last year. She already had The Loving Angel,wich I bought for her,and the With Affection,wich she bought herself. She really loves these sculptures,as do I. I really hope to get my own someday,maybe for a birthday gift. I am thinking about buying one of these for a Valentine's Day gift now for my best friend--that will be so great!
Submitted by Angelica in Sweden, February 2010
My kitty, Tigger, was my best friend. He was the only kitten that survived a rainstorm on my farm. When I found him he was already near death. With the veterinarian's help I nursed him back to health. I promised God that if He would save this kitty I would make sure he had the best life a kitty could ever want. That was 15 years ago. He passed away in November of 2009. I,of course, was heartbroken. I received this Willow Tree Angel for Christmas this year and was moved to tears because I did so cherish his friendship. And I am reminded that an Angel is holding him just like this angel is holding the kitty, giving him hugs. Tigger is waiting in an angel's arms for me to cross over. The Angel will hand him over to me. When I look at my angel figurine, I am comforted and reassured by the sweetness of this carving. Thank you so much! Words really cannot express how peaceful I feel when I look at this Willow Tree classic.
Submitted by Karen in Oklahoma, December 2009
Several years ago, my dear cat was sick and at the vet's office. I was an hour away at work when the vet called to tell me my cat had passed on. I was very upset, as we had just lost our little dog a few months before. My manager (also my mentor) brought this angel to me in memory of my kitty, she knew how much I loved him. She has moved on to other adventures, and I have moved locations at my job, but this is on my shelf as a reminder of her love and caring for me and that my kitty is in a special place.
Submitted by Marie in North Carolina, December 2009
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