2023-2024 Angel Cats
Memorial coming soon
Memorial coming soon
We lost our darling, kitten-faced Joey, on Friday, November 8. He was approximately 16 years old and was a beneficiary of the Community Cat Fund along with his sister, Mary Jane (RIP 2023).
Joey came to Blue Bell with Mary Jane on December 23, 2018 from the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. They were placed at the shelter after their owner passed away. The siblings were bonded and needed to be adopted together, but Mary Jane was very shy, and Joey was outgoing, so it was difficult to place the pair in a home. Instead, they came to Blue Bell. Joey was friendly and affectionate from the start. Within a month, he was exploring the house and making new friends, but he always returned to spend time with his sister.
In March 2021, Joey moved to the Upper House with Mary Jane and Sally Palmer. The three amigos stuck together at first, but Joey was curious about his new surroundings and companions, and he quickly found new spots and new friends in the main room and on the bunk bed. He loved to greet visitors and would often follow Jenna or Susan around while they gave tours. He had a funny habit of shaking his front paws after receiving liquid medication or a water chaser. Joey had a few undesirable habits too, like peeing outside the litter box, chewing on plastic Christmas trees, and eating pine needles. He was known to bite the back of his friends’ necks, something bonded male cats sometimes do to each other. Rusty, Clarence and Haggis were some of his special friends. In August 2024, Jenna took him on a garden walk for the first time. He was calm and didn’t seem too excited about this privilege, so he only had a few garden excursions.
Like many of our kitties, Joey was treated for multiple medical issues. In 2021, he was diagnosed with kidney disease and began treatment for IBD/GI lymphoma due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea. In 2022, he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and high blood pressure. We had a difficult time getting his blood pressure under control and spent several months monitoring and modifying his medications to find a combination that worked. Labs done in May 2023 showed an increased blood glucose level. We were concerned he was becoming diabetic and began monitoring his blood glucose regularly. An exam in February 2024 revealed an unusual finding in a cat, gingival hyperplasia. Joey needed a dental to address this and progressing dental disease, but our veterinarian recommended an echocardiogram first to assess his heart. We learned from the cardiologist that gingival hyperplasia is a possible side effect of one of his blood pressure medications. He got the green light from the cardiologist for anesthesia and had a dental in April. The veterinarian removed several teeth and the excess gum tissue. His weight loss stabilized for several months after the dental, but unfortunately the gingival hyperplasia returned in July. We tried laser therapy to treat it, but there was no improvement. Joey’s labs in July showed elevated liver values and anemia, so he had an ultrasound. The internist found a mass in his intestines. As summer turned to fall, his weight began to decline again, and he became quieter. He had recheck exams with the cardiologist and internist in September. Our veterinary team determined we could wean him off the medication that was causing gingival hyperplasia, hoping that it would improve his condition, and we were encouraged to learn that the mass in his intestines was not growing rapidly.
During September and October Joey’s weight and appetite continued to decline despite several modifications to his treatment plan. On October 10 he had another exam and labs. His anemia had progressed and he was becoming weaker. Staff and volunteers noticed him walking with a slow and unsteady gait. He was still eating chicken and we were happy to see him biting Haggis on the back of the neck again. We were hopeful that he would rally for a few more weeks, but the improvement didn’t last long, and by the first week of November we added him to the quality-of-life watchlist. On November 7, Jenna took him into the garden one last time. He was interested, but tired quickly. He was not eating and began to have very watery diarrhea. We were worried about him that night, so Joyce stopped by very late to check on him. He was affectionate but very weak and quiet, we knew it was time to say goodbye. On his last day, Joey enjoyed attention and affection from staff and volunteers. Jenna and Joyce took him to the vet and he passed peacefully. He was sweet and loving to the end, the perfect cat.
Run In Paradise our beloved boy! We will miss you, but we are happy you are reunited with your precious sister, owner, and your bunk bed room buddies.
2008-11/8/24
We said goodbye to our beautiful calico queen on September 23. She was 17 years old. Midge first came to us from the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter in 2014. She was adopted, but her owners returned her to us in 2016. She was an affectionate cat who enjoyed being brushed and hugged. She had a funny habit of drinking water by cupping it in her paws. She was also an adventurous cat and loved to be outside on the catios, rain or shine. During the last few months of her life, Jenna took her on many walks in the gardens. Midge had several health issues including hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, pancreatitis and anemia. She also struggled with chronic urinary tract infections and painful kidney stones. Despite treatment for these conditions, her weight began to decline in December 2023 and it continued to drop over the next few months. By September, she was very weak and not eating so we knew it was time. We made sure Midge had a great last day. It was sunny and Jenna took her for a garden walk in the morning. Then she hung out in the office for a few hours until Joyce arrived to take her on another walk where she chased a lizard, tried to catch a butterfly, and drank from the tri-level fountain. When she got tired, Joyce held her in the sunshine, and she fell asleep until it was time to go. Midge purred all the way to the vet. She was happy to be with Jenna and Joyce, loved until the end.
We lost our sassy poof, Angie, on Friday, September 20. She was 18 years old and lived with us nearly 10 years, more than half her life! She was a quirky cat with a big personality.
Angie came to Blue Bell on December 4, 2014 after her owner passed away. She was found outside as a kitten at only 4-6 weeks old and we are very fortunate to have one of her baby pictures in our files (shared below). Despite being found so young, Angie was not well socialized with people. On her intake form, to the question “Does this cat like to be handled?” the answer was “if she knows you only.” That was a truth about Ang to her very last day. Affectionately known to staff as “bi-polar Angie,” she would often meow and rub against your legs as if she wanted attention, then swat or try to bite you as soon as you petted her 2-3 times.
Angie didn’t care too much for her feline housemates either. There are many notes in her chart about her hissing, yowling, chasing and fighting other cats. She had quite a scream when she was frightened or upset. Or if she was just getting a routine nail trim. Or being weighed. She was a vocal cat and even her normal meow was loud and unmistakable. She didn’t like being brushed, but she LOVED getting a summer haircut. For days after a fresh haircut she would prance around the house, showing off her beautiful stripes (which were only noticeable after a cut) and her fluffy boots. She loved to sleep under blankets and inside pillowcases, and was an expert at flattening herself out, making it sometimes difficult to find her. Towards the end of her life, she decided she didn’t want to poop in a litter box anymore, and that the kurandas (and sometimes the adjacent wall) would do just fine instead.
In 2020 Angie was diagnosed with a heart murmur and had severe chin acne. She also began having soft stools and occasional vomiting. She was too smart to eat meds in food and wouldn’t let us medicate her on a regular basis, so we monitored and tracked her symptoms. At her annual exam in December 2021, she was diagnosed with severe dental disease and an ear infection. A few weeks later, she had an anesthetic dental and received treatment for the ear infection. Unfortunately, she had a bad reaction to the ear medication and developed a nervous system disorder called Horner’s Syndrome. There is no direct treatment for this disorder. We had to wait for it to clear on its own, which took several months. Although she was symptom free for most of 2022, the ear infection and Horner’s syndrome returned in December 2022. This time the symptoms were more severe; she had a head tilt and difficulty walking. She needed to remain isolated in an enclosure for several weeks to make sure she did not injure herself falling. The ear infection was difficult to treat, and she needed antibiotic ear medication for nearly 2 months. In January 2023, Jenna began cleaning Angie’s ears once a week to monitor them and stay on top of any potential infections. It was a bonding ritual that lasted the rest of Angie’s life, and she never again suffered from an ear infection or a return of Horner’s syndrome.
In June 2024, Angie had her annual echocardiogram. The cardiologist report indicated that she had very mild heart disease and that it had not progressed since the prior year. This was great news because on July 6, 2024 Angie (who had lived almost nine and a half years in the Lower House) moved to the Upper House with all the rest of the Lower House cats during the flooring renovation project. The first day of the move, Angie refused to leave her carrier for several hours. Then she spent several more hiding under the bunk bed. But once she finally got comfortable, she really loved being an Upper House cat. Although she was settling in well, her weight began dropping sharply over the summer. We brought her in for an exam at the end of August and lab work revealed significant progression of kidney disease. Two weeks later, Jenna tried giving her fluids and she tolerated it. However, her appetite and weight continued to decline. We were encouraged by the progress with fluids and decided to try to give her oral appetite stimulants on September 19. A blood pressure check was also recommended due to her kidney disease. She was given a mild sedative along with the appetite stimulant to enable us to check her blood pressure. The initial results were fantastic. She ate ravenously shortly after receiving both medications, and her blood pressure was within normal limits. Normally the sedative effects wear off in a few hours, but as the day progressed, Angie became more and more lethargic and had difficulty walking. She was isolated in a cage overnight to make sure she didn’t fall. She had received this sedative dose many times but never had that reaction to it. We initially thought it was due to progression of her kidney disease. But on Friday morning Angie was still unable to stand or move. Jenna took her to the vet and received the sad news that she was likely suffering from saddle thrombosis, a rare and suddenly occurring condition where a clot blocks blood supply to the back legs. The vet confirmed this condition was unrelated to the medications she received the previous day and that it was just bad timing that the sedative masked the emerging symptoms of the clot. Although we were devasted by the news, we had to act quickly, and Angie was put to sleep in Jenna’s arms.
Run In Paradise our beautiful girl (and don’t fight with Coco, or Bella U., or Matt the Cat…just try to be nice to your housemates at the Blue Bell over the Rainbow Bridge)!
2006 - September 20, 2024
We said goodbye to beautiful Dottie on Thursday, September 5. She was approximately 12 years old. Dottie was with us less than a year. She arrived on January 10, 2024, after her owners passed away. Her owners’ daughter placed Dottie with us because she knew her parents would love Blue Bell as a home for their cherished companion.
Dottie was sweet and affectionate from the start. She came right out of her carrier, meowing and head butting. By the evening, she was rolling on her back, playing with catnip mice, eating and using the litter box, all signs that she was comfortable in her new home. Within a few weeks she was exploring the Lower House and getting to know her new roommates. She got along well with the other cats, and her favorite place remained the tall cat tree that came with her.
In May, we moved her to the Upper House, with her cat tree of course! She was relaxed and curious about her new friends. And they were curious about her too. Introductions began about a week after the move, and she quickly integrated into the Upper House community. She loved to be out on the patios in the sun, watching birds and enjoying a catnip party. She seemed to develop a special friendship with Sparrow who loved to sit at the bottom of Dottie’s cat tree.
Dottie was newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism when she arrived. She often vomited hairballs and sometimes food, but otherwise appeared to be in good health. In June, we started her on an anti-nausea medication, and that seemed to help control the vomiting. In July, staff noticed Dottie hissing and swatting when we attempted to give her medications. This was right after we began the flooring renovation and had to move her out of the isolation room so that Loki, Claude and Kalista had a space. In mid-August we began work on the Upper House. All the kitties moved to “Summer Camp Blue Bell” (aka the patios) full time. Dottie seemed quieter, but her weight and appetite were stable, so we were not alarmed by the change as many of the cats were still adjusting to their temporary accommodations.
On Saturday, August 31, she didn’t eat and vomited yellow liquid several times. On Sunday, she did not improve. She was dehydrated and soiled herself. Her abdomen felt distended. It was Labor Day weekend, and our vet was not open until Tuesday, so Susan took her to urgent care that evening. She was given supportive care and was stable but did not show much interest in food. Bloodwork was unremarkable except for some mild anemia. X-rays showed evidence of asthma, but she had no history of coughing or difficulty breathing. An ultrasound showed intestinal thickening, enlarged lymph nodes, and abnormal spleen, all possible signs of cancer. Dottie remained hospitalized until Tuesday September 3. She returned home to Blue Bell that morning and went for a follow up exam with our vets. Dr. Kruger thought she was well hydrated and was happy to see her alert and responsive. When Dottie returned to Blue Bell, we put her in isolation to monitor her inputs and outputs closely since she was still not back to normal. We continued supportive care and scheduled a follow up ultrasound with our internist for Friday. She was quiet on Tuesday and Wednesday, only eating a small amount of food. The weather was starting to heat up, so we moved her to an enclosure in the Lower House on Wednesday afternoon, hoping that would make her more comfortable. Jenna syringe fed her a high calorie gel hoping that would sustain her until the medications started helping her feel better.
On Thursday morning, Jenna was encouraged to see that Dottie had eaten almost all the wet food left for her overnight. We thought she was going to stabilize, but a few hours later we noticed she was breathing rapidly and shallowly so we took her back to our vets for an exam. She was very pale, and her bloodwork showed a significant progression of what was only considered mild anemia a few days earlier. X-rays showed fluid in her chest. The vets thought the prognosis was not good given the rapid decline in her health and that the kindest thing for Dottie was to help her pass. Jenna stayed with her as she crossed Rainbow Bridge. We are sad to lose her, but happy to know that she is at peace and reunited with her owners now.
Run in paradise beautiful girl!
2012 – September 5, 2024
We lost our shy Little Guy on Friday, August 9. We are not sure exactly how old he was but estimate that he was 12-15.
Little Guy was the last of the 7 Palmer cats who came to Blue Bell in March 2016 after their owner, Dorothy Palmer, passed away at 102 years old! Dorothy was a lifelong cat lover who rescued and provided a home to many cats. She was a friend of and CPA to Blue Bell’s founder Bertha Yergat. She was also a financial supporter and a member of our original Board of Directors. Her 7 cats were all unique and dearly loved: Baby, Boots, Sammy, Sally, Suzy, Big Boy and of course Little Guy.
He was always scared of people, but Little Guy loved his best buddy Big Boy. They could often be found cuddling together on the small bed or on the bench in the main room in the Lower House. They would also bite the scruff on the back of each other’s necks, a sign of affection between bonded cats. Big Boy passed in July 2022 and after that Little Guy became closer with Suzy (passed in December 2022) and Pixel. He spent almost his entire time with us in the Lower House, and we were concerned about how he would react to the recent move to the Upper House for the flooring renovation. We were all pleasantly surprised by how well he adjusted. He loved being out on the third patio. At night or when it was quiet he came inside to explore the house.
Little Guy loved chicken, treats, and playing with a laser pointer. During the day when there was a lot of activity, he mostly hid under the small bed or in a cave bed or the beehive scratcher. Occasionally he would be visible during quieter times and sometimes would stay out, as long as no one got too close to him. Late at night Joyce would bring out the laser pointer to play with him. We tried to earn his trust by going slow and interacting with him on his terms, but he never warmed up to being touched and petted. When we had to catch him for vet visits, he was never aggressive, just scared and shy.
Little Guy came to us with an old injury that caused him to limp badly on his left hind leg. In 2021, he began vomiting frequently. An exam and lab work that November indicated he likely had GI lymphoma or IBD. Due to his fearful nature, we decided not to treat him and to continue to monitor his symptoms. Over the next several months, the frequent vomiting continued. He began having diarrhea and his appetite and weight decreased. In September 2022, he had another exam. We decided to try an injectable steroid to see if that would help him feel better. Fortunately, it did! This injection was only needed once every 6-8 weeks, so it was a good treatment option for him. His symptoms were well controlled until October 2023 when his weight began to drop and the frequency of vomiting increased. His lab work looked stable, so we continued with the steroid injections. Unfortunately, we got bad news with his next exam in April 2024. His weight had dropped a pound in 6 weeks. He was diagnosed with diabetes and likely had hyperthyroidism. We decided not to treat these illnesses so he could enjoy the time he had left. We also had to stop the steroid injections since those could not be given to an unregulated diabetic.
Little Guy had a great appetite during the last few months of his life, but his weight plummeted, and we knew his time was coming soon. On Wednesday August 7, several volunteers noticed him walking around and meowing constantly for food. We gave him plenty of meals but without insulin and medication for hyperthyroidism he could not absorb the nourishment. On Thursday he was quieter and didn’t eat well. He was very dehydrated, and we decided it was time to say goodbye. He got to enjoy one last chicken day before Joyce and Jenna took him to the vet to be put to sleep on Friday afternoon.
Run In Paradise our sweet shy boy! We are glad you are reunited with your best friend Big Boy and your mama Dorothy!
2012(?)-8/9/24
We said goodbye to our spitfire, Laguna, on Saturday July 27. She just celebrated her 20th birthday and 12th year at Blue Bell. She came with the names “Laguna 2” and “Groucho” because of her mustache.
She arrived on June 26, 2012, after having a rough time, both in her home and during a 30-day stay at a shelter. Laguna was found as an abandoned kitten in early 2004. She was relinquished due to a history of urinating and defecating outside the litterbox, and being nippy with the owner’s children, behaviors that are common in a cat who has been declawed. Prior to coming to Blue Bell, she was depressed and had been vomiting, possibly from stress. We started her on calming chews, and she settled in well, integrating into the community quickly. There was some growling and hissing, but she was never aggressive toward other cats. She did not trust people though, so no one could pet, brush or handle her. She would swat, hiss, scratch and/or bite if we tried.
In the summer of 2017 Bella U. (black and white, Cozy’s sister) began stalking and attacking her. Laguna would hide in a cat tree cubby and only come out to quickly eat or use the litterbox and then run back to her safe spot. Because cats can start to attack a weaker cat who is not feeling well, we took Laguna to the vet for a full exam and lab work. She had pain when palpating her front paws. X-rays showed that she had a bad declaw (not that any are good declawing surgeries) and that the bones had continued to grow, forming what is called “ram’s horns” curling around and causing her great pain. Every step she took, every jump down, caused pain. No wonder she was grumpy and didn’t want to be touched! If you EVER thought declawing was okay, we hope this changes your mind. We started pain medication and scheduled surgery to remove the bone remnants. They removed approximately ½ teaspoon of bone from her front paws.
Laguna was placed in the buffer room by herself for several weeks to recover. With her paws repaired and pain meds on board, she was pain free for the first time in years. She started purring and playing. It was there that late one night she suddenly climbed into Joyce’s lap, crawled up her chest, and snuggled up to her neck. Joyce was shocked and a little scared. Not wanting Santiago and Maria to find her bled out on the floor in the morning from a bite to her jugular, Joyce slowly placed her hand on her neck as a barrier, just in case Laguna snapped. In that moment they started to develop a close bond.
Laguna was a special cat, you had to earn her trust. She always let you know when she had enough petting. She loved rolling in catnip and being out on the patios in the summer. She used the grey cat house (since retired to the landfill) on the first patio as her own personal outhouse. Every summer she got a lion cut and loved prancing around after, as if to say, “Look at me!” We gave her a party in 2022 to celebrate her 18th birthday and 10-year anniversary at Blue Bell. There was a great turnout of staff and volunteers, and she was quite the star. During the last couple of months, she started reaching out with her paw to smack anyone who walked by her, but not in the old defensive way she did when she first arrived. This new paw grab was her way to let you know she wanted pets and love.
Laguna accumulated several health conditions over the years. She had high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, pancreatitis, IBD, anemia and a heart murmur. We were able to treat and manage her health issues, but earlier this year she became incontinent. She peed and pooped in her beds and pretty much wherever she felt like it. We used potty pads in her favorite “deposit” spots and had to clean her with wipes or give her baths almost every day. She tolerated the baths well. Laguna knew we were trying to help, and she must have felt better after. We experimented with cat diapers, but that was an epic failure! She promptly got out of the diaper and deposited it in a water bowl. In May, we thought we were losing her, but she stabilized after an ultrasound and some medication adjustments. Given her age and multiple health conditions, we continued to keep a close watch on her quality of life. On Thursday, July 25, she was lethargic, and her appetite declined. We decided to see if things would change on Friday. Unfortunately, she didn’t improve so we scheduled an appointment for Saturday morning for her to cross over Rainbow Bridge. Joyce wrapped her in a rainbow blanket, held her in the sunshine one last time, and took her to the vet where she passed peacefully.
We’ll miss you Miss Laguna, Lagunatic, Laguna Matata. Run free with your perfect paws.
2004 – July 27, 2024
We lost our handsome silverback, Clarence, on Friday, July 12. He came to us from the Laguna Beach Shelter through our Community Cat Fund, so we don’t know exactly how old he was, but we estimate he was at least 15 years old when he passed.
Clarence arrived at Blue Bell on November 24, 2021. A few LCAD students found him in an apartment complex in Lake Forest on 10/18/21. He was friendly towards people, and we suspect he may have been dumped, probably because of his health issues (more on that below). He was originally going to be boarded at Canyon Animal Hospital until a foster could be found, but that didn’t work out, so he was taken in at the shelter for a quarantine and assessment period before moving to his final home at Blue Bell. Jenna picked him up from the shelter and learned that HIS name was “Clara.” She was confused why a male cat was given a female name, and was told that before they knew his sex, the shelter staff thought he looked like a “little old Clara!” That name stuck at the shelter, but we thought it would cause confusion at Blue Bell. We debated calling him Hamilton, but in the end settled on Clarence. Jacob suggested that name after the angel from the Christmas classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
He got along well with the other cats right away. His first community visit was 11/29/21, and by 12/10/21 he was a full-time member of the Lower House community. In January 2022, he moved to the Upper House and quickly made new friends. He could often be found cuddling with, sitting near, or getting neck bites from other cats. Tiger W, Joey, and Haggis were his closest companions, but he got along well with all the residents. Clarence was sociable and friendly with people too. He often sat in volunteers’ laps. He loved to be petted but hated to be picked up. If he sat on your lap you had to sit with him until he decided it was time to move on. Otherwise, you risked his wrath! He loved to be out on the patios in the sunshine and enjoyed catnip parties too. He loved treats of all kinds and gravy-based foods. He also had a habit of “taking short walks on the beach,” i.e. sitting in litter boxes. Towards the end of his life, Jenna took him on several garden adventures. He explored confidently on these walks and figured out how to return home when finished.
Clarence’s medical situation was one of the factors that determined his eligibility for residence at Blue Bell. Upon intake at the shelter, his ears were crusty with a lot of brown discharge from chronic infection. A mass was found in the right ear that a pathology report described as a potential emerging cancer. We treated his ears for several months after his arrival, but there was little improvement. Until 7/11/2022, when Caregiver Lisa (who was in training at the time) noticed a large amount of fresh blood coming from Clarence’s right ear. Jenna took him to the vet that afternoon and we discovered that he had scratched almost all the mass off! Dr. G snipped off the last little bit and sent it out for biopsy. Sadly, the biopsy report confirmed the mass was cancer. The expected survival time was approximately one year, but our miracle boy had even more challenges ahead.
In July 2023, his weight began to decrease. An exam and labs showed dental disease and early kidney disease. He had an anesthetic dental in August 2023 and the vet noted they had difficulty keeping his heart rate normal during the procedure and that he had a slow recovery from anesthesia. He continued to lose weight and was vomiting frequently, so we scheduled him for an ultrasound in October 2023. The most concerning finding was severe cardiac disease and a slow heart rate at only 120 beats per minute (normal for a cat is 160-200). The internist recommended a cardiology consult ASAP and we managed to get him an appointment two days later. The prognosis was not good as he had several heart conditions, but the most severe was third degree AV block. The normal electrical impulses that drive the heartbeat cycle were malfunctioning. This causes an abnormally slow heart rate, decreased blood flow to the body, and risk of clots forming in the heart. If Clarence were a human, he would need a pacemaker, but that’s not yet an option in veterinary medicine. We started him on a regimen of heart medications instead and he remained stable for several months. He had recheck exams with the cardiologist every 2-3 months to monitor for disease progression. At his last recheck in April 2024, the cardiologist told us his heart rate was averaging 80 beats per minute.
Clarence’s weight began to drop rapidly after April. We put him on quality-of-life watch and monitored his appetite and breathing closely. On Tuesday July 9th, he spent several hours visiting his old friends from the Lower House in their new setup in the bunk bed room and 3rd patio. On Wednesday and Thursday, he was quiet and did not eat any of the tasty foods he usually loved. We knew Clarence had finally used up his nine lives. On Friday morning, Caregiver Karen said he was very weak and unable to stand. That day the staff saw Haggis biting his neck at least three times. We think Haggis knew that time was running out, and he wanted to have as many special snuggles as possible with his pal. Joyce and Jenna took Clarence to the vet where he passed peacefully. We know his buddy Tiger W (who also died from heart disease) was waiting for him.
We don’t know what his life was like before Blue Bell, but Clare-bear loved his life here, and his life was full of love.
Run In Paradise beloved boy!
2009(?) - 7/12/24
We lost our tough puff, Coco, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. She was approximately 19 years old.
Coco came to Blue Bell on October 28, 2014, with Sweet P (RIP 2018) after their owner passed away. Blue Eyes is from the same home and arrived two months later. The first note in CoCo’s chart is “Very adorable, sweet kitty, not scared.”
She certainly wasn’t shy, and while she could be sweet at times, those of us who knew her best knew her spicy side too.
And her demanding side! Coco was a tiny tortie with a lot of ‘tude and a big personality.
She had the best appetite and was always meowing loudly to let us know when it was time to eat. In her younger days, she would not only meow, but also climb up the wire wall to be eye level with us while she made her point. The small plates we use to serve meals were not enough for Coco. She had to eat directly out of the serving bowl or from the large plate left for all overnight. She LOVED chicken and would often eat 3-4 plates (if we didn’t stop her!). She also loved cheeseburgers; a special treat Joyce brought her on occasion. One time she got so excited about a cheeseburger that she tried to climb into the empty bag. Just the smell of the meat was enough to get her interested.
Coco was a very active cat. She would often carry the rainbow wand toy around the house, meowing loudly to let us know about her catch. For many years she was the unofficial “greeter” in the Lower House. Whenever Susan or Jenna gave a tour, Coco would prance up to the visitors and rise on her tippy toes like a ballerina to make sure everyone noticed and admired her. Visitors would often remark on how beautiful she was and pet her. When they stopped petting her to look at the other cats, Coco would tap them on the shoulder or back as if to say “Ahem, I was not done with you yet!”
She was always one of the hardest cats for staff to learn to medicate. No matter what order you gave the Lower House meds, somehow Coco always knew when it was her turn before you even left the kitchen. It was best to attempt to medicate her when she was sleeping because otherwise, she would run in circles around the house and was impossible to catch. Once you did catch her, you had to be quick and confident! She didn’t have any patience for staff who hesitated or missed the mark.
She didn’t have any patience for veterinary visits either, and Jenna used to warn staff at Canyon about “the six-pound demon.” A few months before she passed, we wanted to groom her to remove the many mats in her fur (since she hated brushing). She received a sedative dose normally given to cats twice her size and it still took the combined efforts of Jenna, Joyce, and Jacob to restrain and groom her.
Coco had gastrointestinal issues since 2018. Sometimes her frequent vomiting and diarrhea were well controlled with medications and other times she had flare-ups that were challenging to treat. Despite her incessant appetite, she gradually lost weight and in October 2023 she began urinating bloody clots. She improved with antibiotics and pain medication, but this problem persisted intermittently for the rest of her life. She was anemic too, and although still very vocal about meals, she was noticeably less active. In March of 2024 we had a scary day when she was very quiet and lethargic. We thought the end was near, but she bounced back quickly. Staff discussed whether to bring her to the vet for an exam and updated labs. But she was still fractious and would require anesthetic sedation for these routine procedures. Given her fragile health, we decided not to risk anesthesia and let her live out her best life for whatever time she had left.
Between April 2024 and May 2024, Coco’s weight dropped to 4 ½ pounds. She was slowing down, urinating outside the litter box, and eating with less enthusiasm. She was a brave little fighter until the very end, but her body just couldn’t keep up and staff saw the signs of decline. We did not want her to suffer and decided to put her to sleep. She was quiet on her last day and spent most of it in bed. Jenna and Joyce took her to the vet late in the afternoon. We could hear her meowing in the back of the clinic while her catheter was being placed. They brought her back into the room and she kept trying to get up. Dr. Cohen came to ask if we were ready, and we mentioned how alert and active she still seemed. Dr. Cohen was surprised and told us he gave her the sedative dose for a 15-pound dog! That was our Coco, stubborn and still kicking to the very end.
She is with her owner now. And we hope wherever they are, that there is chicken and cheeseburgers because they’ll never hear the end of her insistent meowing if not!
Run In Paradise our precious little monster!
We said goodbye to COZY, 16, on Wednesday, March 20th. Cozy and her real sister Bella (who passed in 2023) came to Blue Bell in the last days of 2016. She was an affectionate cat and could often be found cuddling with volunteers and other cats. She purred constantly. She loved snacks and was one of the first to figure out how to paw treats out of the treat puzzle toy and how to get them out of the rolling treat ball. Cozy was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2017. Her strange hiccup-like breathing was first noted at that time too. In 2019, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. She was diagnosed with arthritis in 2021, her elbows were particularly affected. She was such a great patient that the vet was able to do acupuncture on her! In June 2023, a visit to the ophthalmologist revealed that she was completely blind due to acute retinal detachment. Despite this diagnosis, she learned to navigate the house. Cozy started losing weight towards the end of 2023 and an ultrasound in January 2024 showed a mass in her intestines. In March, her symptoms worsened and another ultrasound revealed that there were now three masses in her intestines, indicating aggressive lymphoma. She was also showing signs of heart failure. We scheduled euthanasia for later that afternoon, and she came back to Blue Bell so we could make her last day special. We had a catnip party on the patio and showered her with love and treats. Off-duty staff and many volunteers came to say goodbye before Joyce and Jenna took her to the vet to cross Rainbow Bridge.
We were devastated by the sudden and unexpected loss of our lovely LILY, 13, on Monday, March 11th. She was a stunning brown Snowshoe mix. With us since 2022, she quickly adapted and became friends with other cats. She loved brushing and chin scratches. Lily’s eyes were unusual. According to the ophthalmologist, the cloudy appearance of her eyes was likely due to feline herpes infection as a kitten. But this did not affect her vision and no treatment was needed besides daily cleaning and monitoring. The week before her passing, she was hospitalized with what appeared to be a kidney infection. She was stable enough to come back to Blue Bell for the weekend, but was quiet with no appetite by Monday evening. We planned to bring her back to the vet for a recheck the next morning, but unfortunately that night her health declined quickly. At 7:30 PM she was up and walking, but just an hour later, she had collapsed. Susan rushed her to the emergency vet and Joyce met them there. Lily was in critical condition. She needed to be on oxygen and the vets thought she may have formed a blood clot. The emergency staff wheeled her into the room on a table so Joyce could spend some time with her. Lily looked up when she heard Joyce’s voice. She started purring loudly, but within a few minutes she was struggling to breathe. She was put to sleep quickly so she wouldn’t suffer. Joyce was by her side as she joined her owner at Rainbow Bridge.
RUSTY, 18, came to us in 2015 after his owner passed away. He had the most mesmerizing aquamarine eyes and a beautiful old soul behind them. He loved to reach out a paw and hold your arm or hand. He gave headbutts to anyone willing to indulge him. He enjoyed catnip parties and snoozing in a sunny spot on the patios. Late in his life, we discovered he loved walks in the gardens. On one walk he got adventurous and sneaked under the storage shed patio, but we quickly got him back out. He even went trick-or-treating dressed up as a lion last Halloween. In November 2018, Rusty had his first visit with the cardiologist and was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease that can lead to congestive heart failure. In December 2022, he started losing weight. Unfortunately, the veterinarian found a mass in his pancreas that she suspected was pancreatic cancer. The prognosis was grim, but he stabilized for more than a year with treatment. On the morning of his passing, caregivers noticed his walk was wobbly, so Jenna took him to the vet. The exam showed nothing urgent, and he returned to Blue Bell. Just a few hours later, he was breathing very slowly. Jenna took him back to the vet for further diagnostics. His temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate were all low. Heart failure was suspected, but chest x-rays showed no evidence of fluid in his chest. Given his underlying health issues, and with his vitals in decline, we decided it was the best thing for Rusty to let him go. He was purring until the end on Monday, March 4th and passed peacefully with Jenna by his side.
ALEX, 16, arrived in September 2019. Before coming to Blue Bell, he was an indoor/outdoor cat, and even escaped from the house after his owner, whom he was extremely bonded to, passed. Fortunately, he was quickly found, but he began his life with us very scared. Although he remained in his carrier for several hours after arrival, he let Joyce brush him and pet him just a little. It was the start of a special friendship. Alex came to us with a history of diarrhea. In February 2022, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and anemia. In August 2022, a special blood test indicated he likely had GI lymphoma. We treated him for these conditions as best we could, but he refused to be pilled. Putting medications in his food was the only way to treat him. In April 2023, Joyce and Jenna began giving Alex fluids, as frequent diarrhea left him chronically dehydrated. Despite a good appetite, he continued losing weight, and his anemia worsened. He became weaker, and often soiled himself, so Joyce and Jenna gave him baths as needed. He didn’t love it, but he tolerated it. We think in his own way he appreciated all we did for him. His health was fragile but stable until the morning of December 30th. Early that morning, Alex vomited and then had trouble breathing. He still had an incredible appetite, but was very weak and could not stand or move well on his own. We had exhausted all palliative care options, and knew that the vomiting episode signaled the end was near. Joyce took him to the emergency vet to be put to sleep. She was with him in the beginning and in the end. We know he is at peace now with his beloved owner.
KIKI, 14, arrived in April 2023 with housemates Irish and Haggis. Although she could be feisty at times, this toothless kitty often enjoyed lap time with volunteers and always appreciated pets on her head. She loved catnip, snoozing on a sunny catio, and playing with wand toys. Shortly after her arrival, Kiki began vomiting regularly. She was treated for IBD/possible GI lymphoma. A few months later, she was diagnosed with diabetes. She did not tolerate insulin injections, so we decided to try an oral diabetes medication. She initially responded well, but we became concerned when her weight and appetite decreased significantly a few weeks later. She was hospitalized for a few days in November, stabilized, and returned to us, but then developed an upper respiratory infection. Joyce and Jenna spent the next ten days nursing Kiki back to health. She was cooperative with oral medications, subcutaneous fluids, syringe feeding, and (finally!) insulin injections. We think she knew we were trying to help her. The treatments worked, and she improved for a few weeks. Then in December, her health declined again. Labs showed elevated liver values, anemia, and pancreatitis. Kiki was tough; we wanted to give her a chance to once again pull through with supportive care. Unfortunately, the combined health issues were just too much strain on her body and she did not improve. On December 21st, we made the decision to put her to sleep the next day. However, later that night her condition deteriorated rapidly. Joyce and Susan decided it was best to keep her at Blue Bell for the night and see what the morning brought. Joyce stayed with her until the end, and Kiki passed at Blue Bell at 1:14 AM on Friday, December 22nd. Her time with us was short, but her last months were filled with love and comfort.
MARY JANE, 14. We said goodbye to adorable kitten-faced Mary Jane on Monday, June 19th. She and her brother Joey arrived at Blue Bell in 2018 through our Community Cat Fund. Their owner had gone into assisted living and they had been at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter for several months with little chance for adoption, so we took them in. Mary Jane was shyer than her outgoing brother, but Joey was protective of her. Eventually she came out of her shell, welcomed more attention, and thrived. This endeared her to us even more. She felt secure in her own cubby space in her tree. She enjoyed the sunny catios, especially when catnip was spread on blankets for all to enjoy. Two and a half years ago, she was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma. It was managed well, but a month before her passing she started eating less and losing weight. Then for two days she stopped eating completely, a sign the end was near. On her final day, she was given her last catnip party. It was a gloomy day. The cats started coming outside for the party and all of a sudden the sun came out. Mary Jane was inside and Cat Care Coordinator Joyce said to her “Look, Mary Jane! The sun came out just for you. I told you it would!” She enjoyed the sunshine and catnip with all of her friends, including Joey. Jenna and Joyce took her to our veterinarian. Soft music played while they kissed, petted, and told her they loved her and they would take care of Joey. It was a gentle passing.
GIDEON, 12, was a striking Snowshoe mix. He had piercing clear blue eyes and unique markings, including his “half mustache.” Charming Gideon came to us in April 2022. His magnetic personality won him friends with humans and felines alike. He had a quirky habit of pawing at and chewing on hair. Quite entertaining, he would jump on the mantle above the bench, waiting for a customer, then start his grooming session. The area was dubbed “Salon Gideon.” Gideon had a myriad of health issues. He came to us underweight with hyperthyroidism and shortly after was diagnosed with high blood pressure and a heart murmur. With medications, he stabilized. An exam in February 2023 revealed additional heart issues and blood in his urine. In April he was diagnosed with asthma and started on a twice-daily inhaler. He was stable until August when he stopped eating and lost weight. He rallied for a few weeks with additional treatments, but in October his appetite waned again. The vet heard abnormal wheezing in his lungs. We hoped he could recover, but his decline continued and we decided it was time to let Gideon go. Jenna took him for a garden walk. He seemed excited and spent about a half hour exploring before leading her back to the front door. When he entered the house, he went into the rainbow tunnel toy, as if he was trying to tell us that he was ready. Joyce and Jenna took him to the vet to accompany him on his final journey. He passed quickly on October 16th.
DIAMOND, 16, came to us in 2017 and was so affable he was out in the general population soon after arriving. His whimsical antics amused us all. He was especially funny with meat tubes. He would get so excited, stand on his hind legs, grab the meat tube with his paws and lick it with such enthusiasm that it ended up all over his mouth. If another cat got a meat tube, Diamond also got one to keep him from stealing theirs. Caregiver Karen had a special morning ritual with him. Every day when she filled the fountain on the first patio, Diamond would follow. She let the hose drip just a little bit so he could enjoy a drink and some water playtime. Diamond had arthritis, high blood pressure, and cystitis. In 2020 he was diagnosed with kidney disease. An ultrasound in January 2023 confirmed his kidney disease was very advanced. The prognosis was a few weeks to live, but sweet Diamond surprised us all and lived eight more months. By June his disease progressed, but he rebounded from a few setbacks. By October his weight loss continued, despite a ravenous appetite. A few days before he passed, volunteers and staff noticed him drooling. Video footage revealed he was having seizures. With the seizures, anemia, weight loss, and severely advanced kidney disease we knew that we could no longer maintain his quality of life, and we decided to let him go on a good day. Jenna took him out into the gardens so he could better enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. She brought a bed and blanket for him to sit on, but Diamond wanted to explore. He made the rounds of the gardens and walked around the perimeter of the upper house. He was out for a few hours and finally settled down near the front of the lower house. There he enjoyed chicken and love from volunteers before returning to the upper house for one last catnip party and meat tube. Later, Joyce took him to the vet and he was sent lovingly to his final rest on Friday, October 6th.
TIGER, 13, came in 2017. His loss was deeply felt as his demise happened within a month. It was easy to be drawn to him as he was an affectionate, gentle giant with a soft meow, soulful eyes, classic stripes and big paws. Tiger loved playing, catnip, and meat tubes. He was a part-time office cat and full fledged member of the “Bunk Bed Crew.” One afternoon in August of 2023 he developed a sudden and severe limp, could not put any weight on the leg, and began breathing rapidly. Our veterinarian is closed on Sundays, so we took him to an emergency hospital for an assessment. The emergency veterinarian suspected a soft tissue injury as they did not find any broken or dislocated bones during the exam. Two weeks later, again on a Sunday, he had another episode of rapid breathing. Breathing issues are always an emergency, so Tiger made a second trip to the emergency hospital. His exam revealed fluid in his chest and low blood oxygen levels. He needed to be hospitalized overnight in a special oxygen chamber to stabilize his condition so that a full cardiac assessment could be performed. The diagnosis was severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition which causes abnormal thickening of the heart muscle and leads to heart failure. Tiger was able to come back to Blue Bell with new heart medications and a guarded prognosis. He rested comfortably for a few days, but then late at night on Friday, September 1st, his condition rapidly deteriorated and he made one final trip to the emergency hospital to cross Rainbow Bridge.
KIWI, 13. We lost our lovely Kiwi unexpectedly on Friday, July 15th. It was a shock, she left us too soon! She arrived in January after her owner passed away. They were extremely bonded. She had adopted Kiwi just two years before and they cuddled together every night. Kiwi had a pleasant demeanor and accepted us and the other cats quickly. She rolled in catnip and played in the drinking fountain. We thought it had a leak, but the little paw prints leading back to her enclosure and up the steps to her cat tree, were a dead giveaway that she was the cause. She loved chin scratches so much she drooled in contentment. Kiwi came to us with arthritis and advanced kidney disease. Two months prior to her passing, she began losing weight and became picky with food. One day she had trouble walking. Jenna immediately took her to the vet. In addition to her poor kidney values, labs showed she had acute pancreatitis, peritonitis, high blood glucose, anemia, and a urinary tract infection. She was hospitalized overnight in critical condition. An abdominal ultrasound gave a poor prognosis, but she was still perky and was eating. Although critical, she was fighting and stable. The next day, about an hour after eating, she crashed. She was open-mouth breathing, so the veterinarian put her on oxygen and took chest x-rays. Her heart was severely enlarged adding to her already grave condition, so the kindest thing was to let her go. Susan was there and Joyce rushed down to be with her. Kiwi lifted her head to acknowledge them. With kisses and head scratches, she passed and was reunited with her beloved owner.
We lost this charmer (Bella, 16) on February 7th, 2023. We were lucky to have her for almost seven years, since December 30th, 2016. She became our Anderson-Wentzel House Greeter, scooting into the kitchen area and supervising the caregivers while they prepared meals and meds. She was a beautiful cat, with white whiskers framing a black face and adorable black dots sprinkled on white paws. Bella also had a delightful quirky personality. We would often see her drinking from the faucet by scooping the water with her paw. She knocked treat canisters off the counter every chance she got, and jumped down to eat as many as she could before we could stop her. She was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma in March of 2022, and was put on an aggressive regimen of medications to keep her comfortable. She responded well for months, but in January we noticed her appetite waning and she was losing weight. She had a loose tooth and needed an emergency dental to remove it. Unfortunately, Bella did not recover well from the dental procedure and continued to decline. Late one night Joyce noticed Bella was open-mouthed breathing, a dire sign. We knew it was time and there was nothing further we could do. The next morning, Joyce took her on the last trip to the vet and gave her lots of love and kisses before she passed peacefully. She leaves behind her sister, Cozy.
Suzy, 20 another “Palmer Cat” came to Blue Bell in 2016. She was very shy initially, but with patience she slowly adjusted. Although not a lap cat, she loved brushing, pets, and head/chin scratches. She was diagnosed with diabetes in 2021. She never gave us any trouble when it was time to test blood sugar or give insulin injections, as if she knew we were helping her. In early 2022, she began having more issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. An ultrasound in April confirmed multiple abnormalities. There were multiple masses in her pancreas and an enlarged liver and spleen. All was untreatable so palliative care was the goal and was effective for almost a year. Her disease progressed and finally her little body couldn’t absorb any nutrients and we knew it was time to say goodbye. On her final day, December 21st, Suzy got lots of love from staff and volunteers. She even ate chicken and meat tubes. Joyce took her to the vet wrapped in a Christmas blanket. Then Suzy snuggled with her little head tucked under Joyce’s chin for the last time. She is with Sammy, Baby, Big Boy, Sally and Dorothy now. Boots and Little Guy still remain.