“One more wonder: June White Decker’s cats

Prior to the late ’90s, imagine sitting at any of the Back Porch’s windows looking down.

You would remember seeing cats everywhere! Throw out a leftover and instantly a cluster of cats would be competing for the treat.

During those days these cats resided underneath “June’s Dunes” floor joists. Daily, June would come out and serve these critters breakfast.
I know because I often went with her. However, the cats would migrate back and forth to have lunch and dinner at the Back Porch! There were all sorts: toms, kittens, some sick and wounded, others near animal heaven.
June’s heart embraced them all, especially Cali the matriarch of the gang and June’s favorite.

A large water bowl on the ground between pilings would catch the floor board drippings from the kitchen’s refrigerator above, assuring a cat’s cold delight any time!

Not a bad life if you would be a cat under June’s care!

As time went by June started coping with cancer. It became hard for June to keep up. My wife, Ruthi, and I were driven to take over.

It was then, November ’97, when June silently influenced us to start helping all cats on a wider scale. Feline Friends of Destin was born.
June White Decker unquestionably was its inspirational founder — the purpose of this memo.

Since then many thousands of cats in her name have been humanely controlled, not to mention halting the procreation of millions more! Under June’s continued spiritual guidance and leadership from Ms. Shayne McCullough, Feline Friends continues to expand and do its good work.

In June’s name, I thank the City Council of Destin for its loyal support, as well as June’s friends and visitors for their generous giving in all those little donation boxes.

June was quite a lady!

Harry Knegtell is a Destin resident and founder of Feline Friends.