Introduction: I adopted Bells on the 4th of July in 1990. I had lost my beloved Cuddles about a year and a half before and was looking through the newspaper when I saw the ad. It was a whim, but I went and fell in love with her. I had to chase her all over the kitchen to get her, she did not want to be taken away, now she will not leave my side. As with the rest of the site, I am updating it, so please be patient and I will return you with my mini-tales and pictures of my beautiful animals who owe me.
 |
Bells is the ruler of the pack. People often ask me what kind of cat she is. She weighs about ten pounds and looks like a Maine Coon Cat. Personally, I think she is part Bob Cat. She is getting up in age now, but she is still THE Alpha cat.
My Bells has been very ill. She got that way over a long period of time. It is absurd to me that the caretaker has to also be the vet. After her condition kept deteriorating, she kept losing weigh, I finally demanded a full battery of test in December 2003. She has hyperthyroidism which was off the chart, a thyroid tumor which thankfully turned out to be benign and the worse, borderline kidney failure. She has to be on a special diet which she won't eat, the medication sends her BUN up so I have been trying desperately to find a kidney diet that she will eat. At present she seems to be maintaining but at one point I was sure I was going to lose her by her actions alone. She would not leave my side. She was like sticky tape. I believe she was afraid, despite what some people may believe, animals feel and know things. How do I know this? Because I am a Cherokee woman.
Update: 3/22/04-Bells last blood test showed her BUN to be normal again. I'm one happy Mamma. However, we had to increase the thyroid medication again and she had another test today. She now weighs a little over eight pounds from a low of almost five.
Update: 04/01/04-Bells is doing well. She has a normal BUN and thyroid and my vet's bank account has increased dramatically! She was able to get her rabies and other shots today.
Update: 08/06/04-From coming out of the clutches of death that almost had her, Bells has done remarkedly well. However, she seems to be having some problems again. I have been talking to the Vet Tech Group at Care2 and they have been very helpful. Anyway, its off to see the vet again. I just figured it up, she is fourteen now. My fourth of July firecracker.
Update: 10/12/04-Bells is not doing well. She is throwing up again. When I give her more thyroid her risk of kidney failure increases which is what the vet wanted to do last visit because her thyroid is high again. Then we decided to hold off for a while, I need to get her back to the vet. Sometimes that is really hard when one has become a recluse, a shut-in. She clings to me all of the time. She is the most special cat that has ever loved me and that I have had the privilege to love.
Update: 10/16/04-I took Bells to the vet this morning and she has lost down to 7 pounds. Her kidney function seemed ok but he won't know for sure until the thyroid tests come back. Her heartbeat is way too fast. He gave her a shot to help her eat and medication for the throwing up so that I can increase her thyroid dosage. She is really sick and just hangs onto me whenever she can. All prayers are appreciated.
Update: 12/23/04-Bells last test were not good. She is still not eating well. For her large frame, she is really skin and bones. Bells is a fighter and I will help her fight as long as she can.
Update: 02/01/05-My poor Bells is just skin and bones. I have spent, well a lot of money at the vet and would spend more but I don't think there is anything else he can do for her. I mostly just pamper her now. I give her what she will eat in addition to her K/D diet. I stand and hold cold distilled water for her because that is the way she likes her water. She used to drink from the tap a lot but I notice she is having a hard time jumping now. Please pray for my Bells, we have been together a long time.
Update: 03/06/05-Times passes so quickly. Bells is still very skinny but she seems to be doing pretty good. I never thought it could happen but she has shifted her attention to my house mate. She only comes to me now for food and water (medicine). She no longer crawls up on me in my recliner at night while I watch TV. Why? I think it is because I am so detached from everything, losing touch with myself to escape feeling. Did I mention I am bipolar? (Labors of Love)
Update: 03/16/06-I almost lost Bells back in the Fall. The vet mis-diagnosed her condition and she suffered for almost a month crying, in pain, sick. All the while I kept on with the vet until he got it right and Bells got better but it was down to force-feeding and IV fluids. She would not come out of the kitchen for months. I am happy to say that even though she still only weights a little over six pounds, she now had re-attached herself to me and my recliner.
I know she is getting old but we have been though so much together. I think she will be seventeen around the fourth of July. I truly love my Bells.
Update: 04/19/06-I had to have Bells shaved. She is a long hair cat and her hyprothroidism had caused her hair to fall out and grow in. It became so matted that she was miserable and I could not brush her. Here is what she looks like now, weighing in just over six pounds:
 |
Counter added 11/12/2004