Charlie Wonder

Charlie was being closely monitored by all the Blue Bell volunteers during his last few days. He was considered a very special Blue Bell resident as he had been with the Blue Bell for such a long time and was loved by all the volunteers. Charlie was also blind.

These are words from Joyce, a Blue Bell staff member, concerning Charlie's final days:

I wanted to let you all know that Charlie Wonder passed away today. : (

He seemed to perk up a bit when he returned from Canyon [Veterinary Hospital] Tuesday. He was eating andCharlie Wonder getting around. Thursday he did not eat during the day, but ate a good amount with me Thursday night. He was not himself though. I made a bed for him on the couch in the open area of the Isolation room. After I was done with all the meds, I covered him with a blanket and Houdie [Blue Bell resident] and I snuggled with him for 15-20 minutes; he was purring and comfortable. Houdie really stuck close to him these past few days.

Friday, he again did not eat during the day. He ate for me a bit last night, but not as much as the previous night. He continued to sneeze and have nasal and ocular discharge.

This morning he did not look good at all and he refused to eat anything. He was limp when I picked him up and hung his head, and stumbled a few times - he had to be very weak. I called Canyon to make arrangements and called Donna to let her know he was losing the battle quickly.

He spent the morning and afternoon outside in the middle patio, laying in the sun. Christina came by and spent time with him, Ruben spent time with him and said goodbye and was noticably upset. Ron the jogger (Earl's dad) came inside to say goodbye. Donna came by and we took him to Canyon and waited in the car til Dr. Hamil was
ready. Dr. Hamil said that he could just not maintain enough to fight. It was very quick and painless - he was ready. It was very peaceful. And he knew he was loved.

Charlie came to Blue Bell in 1993 at the age of 4, so he was 17. Only Spot is older, at 18. So he was the elder stateman in a way and all the cats knew him. It was interesting how throughout the day, many of the cats would come and sit by him - they knew. Even Wild Charlie [Blue Bell resident] came near when Donna was with him. Houdie would groom his head several times and Roofer [Blue Bell resident] tried to get in one last hump session with him. *insert eye roll. :)

Donna has a special plan for the low table in the middle patio that he always loved to lay on. It will have a new plastic laminate top with a plaque that says "Charlie Wonder's Sun Table."

Good bye sweet Charlie, Charles, Mr. Wonder. We will miss you!!