When Steve the cat passed away last month at the age of 16, 9-year-old Ivy Larson wanted to do something to honor him.

She set up a lemonade stand in front of her father’s house on Mount Washington and donated the proceeds to Nose 2 Tail, a cat rescue based near her mother’s home in McDonald.

“I wanted to help the cats there,” Ivy said. “I love cats ... and Nose 2 Tail is right near my house.”

So the dogs didn’t feel left out, she also had homemade dog treats for the dogs that walked by her lemonade stand.

Joe Larson, Ivy’s father, said that the neighbors and community have been wonderfully supportive and gave generously in Steve’s honor.

They raised $150 and plan to have another lemonade stand on the Fourth of July on Hallock Street, Mount Washington, from noon-3 p.m. You can also contribute online in Steve’s honor at nose2tailcatrescue.org.

Steve was adopted from Animal Rescue League in 2008 and has lived with Ivy her entire life. Ivy enjoyed playing with him, cuddling him, sleeping with him and even dancing with him.

Her favorite memory of Steve was how he would stick his tongue out at her. When Ivy’s parents separated, Steve remained Ivy’s everyday companion.

This May, the family noticed what looked like a small bug bite on Steve’s arm. Within a couple of weeks, it had grown to the size of a baseball and the vet confirmed that Steve had an aggressive form of cancer. Not wanting Steve to suffer, they made the difficult decision to euthanize him.

Ivy now has a 1½ year-old-dog named Bones and plans to get another cat in 2025 or 2026. When she’s ready, where will she go to get another cat? Nose 2 Tail, of course!

Abby Kirkland (abbykirkland77@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and animal lover living in Mt. Lebanon.

First Published: June 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m.