Tabitha

Tabitha came to The Blue Bell in 1999 as a rescue from Dana Point Harbor with her "sisters" Penny and Lilly and they all lived in the Lower House. They were very close, even though we were never sure if they were actually related.

Tabitha and Penny were the closest, always snuggling together in a box or a bed, with Lilly not far away. When Penny passed away in 2008, they both took it hard and Lilly took over Penny’s role of snuggling with Tabitha. In December 2009, there was a mudslide that destroyed the Lower House and the cats were relocated to the Upper House. Lilly passed away just seven days later in January, 2010, leaving Tabitha on her own. We weren’t sure how she would do after the stress of the mudslide, the relocation to the Upper House and losing Lilly. But that little girl did very well! She loved sleeping outside in her basket or in a hammock bed. And she LOVED chicken. That is when you could get the closest to her, but could never touch her back then.

About-four years ago she suddenly had trouble walking – falling over on her side. X-rays were taken Three Sistersand she had a condition in her spine that was causing this. The vet had us start a nutritional supplement and said to give her a week and if she was not better or had become worse, she would need to be put to sleep. Her usual sleeping spot was up on a ledge in a hammock bed, so we put a nice cushiony bed on the floor and she started sleeping there. She surprised everyone and after 4-5 days started walking better. Within a week it seemed everything was back to normal. She never went up to the ledge again, even though I fashioned a ramp she could walk up in case she didn’t want to jump. But she never had problems walking after that.

She was diagnosed with kidney disease a couple of years ago and over the past year, she became more receptive towards being touched by those she knew well. She would let us give her chin scratches which she really enjoyed and we were able to give her fluids which helped her kidneys and made her more comfortable.

She would greet me at the door in the morning, at lunch and at dinner to remind me not to forget she wanted an extra-large helping of food. That little girl could eat! Despite losing weight she would continue to eat at least 2-3 cans of Friskies each day. And that was in addition to treats, chicken and the wet food from the community plate! She would follow me around, looking up at me and meowing for more. I had to be careful not to trip over her because she would get right under my feet. I loved watching (and listening to) her eat. She ate like a dog! Taking a huge bite and smacking her gums loudly and bending her head down and grabbing another huge bite and smacking some more! That always made me smile, and it still does. :)

It’s been so hot lately and she was having a tough time with the heat. Earlier this week I brought frozen water bottles for the cats to lie next to and had cooked some chicken for her. I weighed her and she had lost more weight but she was still eating and walking around and using the litterbox. I held her in front of a fan to cool her off and ran a cool, wet towel on her face and ears and down her back. She started licking my hand and then nuzzling her head into my arm several times and licked me again and nuzzled some more. I told her that Penny and Lilly were waiting for her and to not be afraid and that we would be ok. I took her out to the main room and sat on the floor with her in front of a fan and gave her lots of scratches and pets and loving. I gave her a couple of handfuls of chicken and said good bye.

That was the last time I saw her, because four days later, she was ready to leave us. She was the littlest of the three and lived the longest. She was a fighter in all senses of the word and I am glad to know that she used all of her nine lives! Miss Tabitha, Tabi, TabTab… I sure am going to miss you, sweet girl! :(

And now the three have finally been reunited. I know there was rejoicing at The Rainbow Bridge when they saw each other. The three sisters together again… snuggling, running, playing and of course, eating lots of Friskies and chicken!

Penny, Lilly, Tabitha…. the three of you will live on in our hearts!.