2007-2008 Angel Cats
Miss Gypsy passed away after only being with us a short time. She arrived at Blue Bell with her buddy Mojo on October 4, 2008. She was 16 years old and had hyperthyroidism. She was very thin because of her condition but she discovered the wonders of wet food and would practically lick the wax off the paper plates! I have never seen a cat lick a plate so clean! Although Mojo must have taken lessons, as he does the same thing now.
Mojo took good care of her, snuggling up with her and keeping her warm. I will never forget her little calling sounds when she heard the can opener or knew it was mealtime. It was this strange little mraaahh sound that sounded just like Jerry Lewis. It mad me laugh and smile every time!
She loved catnip and lounging in the sunshine but in her final weeks Gypsy and Mojo she mostly just loved to sit on your lap or snuggle up into your neck.
I wish we could have known you longer but I am happy you could be with us, even if for just a short time! We will miss you little lady and I promise to take good care of Mojo for you.
Ranger passed away Saturday afternoon, August 16th at the age of 16. Dr. Alcala said that the biopsy had come back and he had a very malignant sarcoma that was so aggressive that it most likely wasn't even there 2 weeks ago. With his rapid decline and poor prognosis it was decided to put him to sleep. We will miss you, Ranger!
Simba passed away this past Saturday, May 17th. Simba came to Blue Bell in a group of 5 kittens in 1998 I believe - Simba, Char, Misty and 2 others who have since passed away. He loved chicken and treat foods and although he was elusive and wouldn't let most people get too close, once he got to know you and trusted you, he would rub up against your legs and let you brush him.
We discovered that he was in massive kidney failure and had severe dental disease. Because of the issue with his teeth, it was decided that the most humane thing for him, would be to put him to sleep.
Penny, one of the ferals in the lower house passed away this past Saturday, March 29. Penny was a rescue from Dana Point Harbor in 1999 and came to Blue Bell with her "sisters" Lilly and Tabitha. I am not sure if they were actually related but they were very close. Tabi and PenPen would always be the two you would see curled up in a bowl or outside in a box in the sun together, with Lilly not far away. She fought kidney disease as well as a mouth infection, which ultimately became too much for her to bare. Dr. Alcala came to the Blue Bell so she could be euthanized in the home she knew. She passed quickly and peacefully.
TRISTAN, 10. All his life he was afflicted with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a chronic disease with debilitating systems— vomiting, diarrhea, and an inability to absorb nutrients. This can be a hard syndrome to control, and Tristan underwent many years of various treatments. His fortitude was amazing. Through it all, he retained his affectionate and loving disposition. The last 2 months of his life, he actually improved which is why we were heartbroken at his seemingly sudden decline. Tristan let us know he was in pain, and the decision was made to end his suffering. A necropsy showed the disease had severely damaged his gastrointestinal system. He left us too soon.
If circumstances were different, Alex, 13, would be featured under “New Residents” Sadly, Alex was with us less than a month. This gentle classic tuxedo cat previously resided with a generous supporter of Blue Bell who died. We soon discovered he had hyperthyroidism and cardiomyopathy, both serious diseases . We feel Alex held on for his guardian. Physically, the stress of being moved to new surroundings and losing his guardian just caught up with him ...perhaps a broken heart? Now he is at peace and rejoined with his beloved guardian.
Spot, 20, lived a long interesting life, over half of which (12 years) were with us. A true survivor, she had a pin in her back leg due to an old injury. She was the last to be evacuated after the tragic 1998 mudslide, when she sauntered out of the bushes to everyone’s relief! Her last years she kept comfortable in her basket in the main house, and was the first to greet everyone with solicitations for chicken and chin-scratches! Spot suffered kidney failure the last few years of her life and did well on fluid treatments, but eventually her kidneys shut down. Our main house is very empty without our “Spotty”.
Sweet-faced Kitty, 14, had a rough start in life. She was born in Hong Kong, China, where she had been abandoned. Her guardians rescued her from a rain puddle. She came to Blue Bell in 2004. Kitty was shy at first--she adored her guardians, but wasn't one to cuddle with just anybody. Eventually she would let us brush and pet her. She loved her fresh chicken, canned food, and her "bed bowl" in the sun. Kitty was surrounded in comfort and love at Blue Bell when she died. We all miss this little china doll with the big blue eyes. Kitty was the subject of a charming children's book entitled "Hong Kong Kitty" which describes her journey from Hong Kong all the way to Blue Bell.
Ten-year female resident Wild Charlie was a feral and not an easy cat to catch and/or treat. The only time she had ever been touched was for her flea preventative medication 2-3 times per year. In recent months, Wild Charlie suffered from frequent reapiratory infections and needed daily treatment. Thanks to the efforts of Joyce and Sarah, Wild Charlie became less feral and even let them hold her. Sadly, she losts her battle, but in the last 6 months of her life, she experienced and appreciated the love warmth and comfort of human touch.
For most of his 5 years at the Blue Bell, Rusty had suffered from inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease and other intestinal/esophageal issues. He couldn't tolerate many foods. Rusty loved putting his paws around your neck. Though he had a strong will, his lettle body just couldn't fight any longer.
Prissy was a resident of Blue Bell and brought back to Blue Bell. Her second stay was short-lived. Her adorable personality won her the favor of everbody, but one volunteer who fell in love with her was lucky enough to adopt her. Sadly, she recently passed. We will all miss this beautiful kitty.
Mango, gorgeous kitty and feline resident Sammy's buddy. Mango was adopted in 2004 and gave 3 years of joy to his loving family."
Frank was adopted from the Blue Bell in 1993. Please read the lovely memorial written by his 'Mom and Dad':
Dear Christine and Blue Bell supporters,
My wife and I want express our thanks for allowing us to have shared nearly 15 great years of our beloved Frank the cat.
Our story starts in 1993 after my wife and two of our cats were in a major freeway accident. Frank was picked to replace one of our cats that was lost in the accident. Frank looked like five other gray tabbies residing at Blue Bell. My wife was recouping from a broken neck. She requested me to go to bell and find one gray tabby male. I walked around Blue Bell and did not see any gray tabbies we would adopt. I went in to the cottage and looked down at my feet. There was two gray tabbies one was grooming the other. I was about to look in the other rooms when I stopped and pick up one of the gray tabbies. On his BB collar was Frank. That is my name too. I could not think of a better way to pick a replacement cat.
Frank was slow to adjust to our other tabby King. They often stalked each other. We hardly saw the new cat for several weeks. He slowly ignored King.
In my world cats can be trained to do almost everything a dog can learn. Frank learned right away never to step outside the threshold. In the years he let us in his world he never bit, scratch things or marked the house.
He followed us to Placentia where we lived last year. Two months ago we moved to Pahrump NV. He never liked riding in the car. As long as Annie was near him in the back seat he liked traveling. His one delight beside his evening threats was our performing circus dog Annie. They were inseparable. They ate together in the mornings. The dog and cat would greet each other every morning. It is difficult to think of the years of joy he brought to our home. We miss him dearly and the dog wonders where his companion is?
We will find a new cat when we get over our grieving. I'm not expecting to find another Frank. There so many feline wanting homes that we will find one and spoil that feline.
I want to add please do not cry as we have shed many tears. My wife Mary and I want those who have compassion for animals to remember the joy they bring. Our lives are not going to change or will we allow depression to control us.
I'm positive Frank the gray tabby who must have been twenty years old is looking down at us from kitty heaven. He would not like us to stop functioning.
Sincerely, Frank and Mary Rosenberg Pahrump NV
For 20 years he lived in a Laguna Beach park where a group of dedicated volunteers fed, spayed, neutered and cared for a group of cats. Mickey was named after Mickey Mantle because he could catch food bits in his paws! Perhaps the skill was because he was a polydactyl - he had extra toes on all four paws. Mickey was often seen with his "brother" Charley Rocket, until one day, Charley disappered. Eventually the whole colony dwindled. Last December 2006, Mickey was the sole remaining cat. He had been in a fight resulting in a head bite wound, which turned into an abcess. Not wanting him to fall ill and die outdoors, these volunteers decided to let his remaining days to be lived in warmth and comfort indoors at the Blue Bell. Due to his advanced age, Mickey was also in kidney failure, and we surmised he had perhaps a month to live. He lived 4 months longer, in large part due to fluid treatments and daily visits from both original and The Blue Bell staff/volunteers. Mickey loved going out on the patio and never had a problem with any of the other cats.
Tasha was one of Dr. Hamil's son's cats and she was on the cover of Cat Fancy magazine once! She was a sweet cat who loved to sit next to you and be petted. I called her my little shadow, because over the past couple of months, she would just follow me everywhere. She wouldn't be real fast, but she would follow and sometimes it was all I could do to keep from tripping on her as she would get under my feet. She loved to drink from the pond and she would always find a glimmer of sunshine somewhere in the house to keep her warm.
Multiple organs had begun failing and there was nothing they could do but put her to rest.
Yenti, 11, came to the Blue Bell as an extremely shy little girl. By the end of her life, she was soliciting attention by meowing and following us (she was only interested in the chicken she would eat from our hands. Most of it would actually end up on her face!)
After a valiant fight with kidney failure and infection, she was euthanized and passed peacefully.
Coming soon