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Published: January 10th 2012January 10th 2012
BELLA...R.I.P.
When we travel, our cats go to vacation care. Last thing we want is they die while we are away.
Bella died peacefully at 8.30 a.m. on 9 December 2011...our beautiful girl...next to our bed...warm...fur soft as ever.
We remember you fondly for the joy you have given us...there was no better hunter...we think of Rocco...who will miss you cuddling up with him at night...R.I.P...Rest in Peace...Bella the Hunter...Bella the Beautiful...thank you for our time together...sleep peacefully...our darling little girl.
I have had a cat as a pet most of my life...but one chose me...for a special relationship...and that was Bella.
There was "Puss" when I was a kid...came from next door...wouldn't go home...remember in shame I threw some rocks at it on Day 1...but it was determined to pursue Adoption Proceedings and stayed. Was my job to feed it...chopped kangaroo...no canned pet food or supplements in those days. Lived to old age...at our place...not next door.
Radar came with Denise...my then girlfriend now wife of 30 years. She answered an advert for kittens when in share accommodation with her sister. They returned with Joseph...a model for porcelain cat figures...and his runty brother Radar...mother a Champion Silver Siamese...father a Black Tomcat.
Joseph went missing...Radar remained.
Denise & I married in 1981...Simon born 1985, Anna-Louise in 1988...and there was always Radar.
You'd walk down the hall...he'd be on a hallstand...onto your shoulders...remain like a fur stole.
Then came Loopy...a golden Persian type moggy...came from our next door neighbours...said he was a boy...and they kept his brother.
When we got him de-sexed the vet showed us the unborn foetuses...Loopy was a girl..!
Radar was as shocked as we were.
Radar moved out after that...moved 3 doors up...wouldn't answer our calls. The old lady had been feeding him...No Frills brand cat food...wouldn't have eaten that at our place.
I found Loopy under the house...stomach ripped wide open...suspected the feral black cat that used to mount her...built like a panther...Simon & I attended to that.
Two years after Radar moved out we had a knock on the door..."Lily has died...here is your cat back."
He lived to 18 years.
A plumber's Alsation dog chased him...bit his back many times...Radar escaped...climbed a tree with one paw...heaps of puncture wounds...left front leg ripped from his shoulder...perforated kidney...survived...one of his more than 9 lives.
One time he had a hose hanging out of his head to drain an abscess...of course he survived.
We buried Radar in the front garden...gum branches as a cross...and there he remains...not forgotten.
Denise & the kids wanted a new kitten...saw Australian Mists in a magazine...moved by their Burmese & Abyssinian breeding...bred for sociability.
Went to a breeder...never considered a pedigree pet before.
And there was Bella...Artumblom Belda Clarinda born 7 May 2001...Chocolate Marbled Australian Mist...the prettiest kitten we have ever seen...took to us immediately...came home at 6 weeks...softest fur I have ever felt.
Bella was often in Denise's jumper...resting on her breasts...head poking out when she awoke.
And then there was Rocco...Artumblom Dana Ezekial born 28 September 2001...Blue Spotted Australian Mist...he chose us when we collected Bella from vacation care...came up and kissed Anna-Louise...a brother for Bella.
Simon was away at a school camp...on his return while unpacking...a shoe box on his bed moved...a tiny head poked out...pointy ears...emerald green oriental eyes...the look on Simon's face was priceless.
Rocco & Bella used to sleep together...lick each other's face when greeting...groom each other constantly.
Bella was an excellent climber...constantly on the roof...then one day she screamed...had jumped on the barbeque lid when climbing down...burnt her paws...didn't use that route after that.
We have our cats indoors at night...if not they'd be chasing night noises...or native animals as we back onto the bush...or Rocco would be out fighting...being a dominant cat.
One year found 5 dead baby snakes in the backyard...tooth marks visible...had to be Bella...brought lizards inside frequently...loved hunting insects.
After our first Africa trip...sitting watching my wild game photos...Bella went out and returned with a mouse...then another...then another...neatly placing them together..."I am the big game hunter around here."
A few times Bella went missing for about 3 days...didn't come in for her evening meal...but she always came back...one time ragged and sorry.
While Rocco is the most sociable cat I have ever met...Mr Charming...everyone knows Rocco...Bella was reserved and delicate...had a strong personal space...only affectionate when it was her idea...used to spend a lot of time with Anna-Louise and Denise...just sitting nearby watching...special attachment with Simon.
But everyone would say her true love was for me...used to get on my lap...only if it was her idea...sit looking at my face...then reach up with one paw and stroke my face...touch her nose on mine...stretch both paws around my neck...then stretch both paws onto my chest...claws coming in & out...a passionate look on her face...testing the thickness of my clothes.
Over the last 12 months Bella had health issues.
She was diagnosed as asthmatic...potential diabetic and kidney problems.
Treated with Ventalin and cortisones. Had to have continuing medication after that...if not, her breathing difficulties were profound.
The cortisones blew her up like a balloon and she had a voracious appetite, but she could not cope without the medications.
Every morning and night Denise would put Bella onto her lap...and administer Ventolin and sometimes also Flexitide through a baby's spacer...used to sit there patiently with the spacer over her face...the valve showing she was breathing it in...an asthmatic cat...hadn't heard of that before.
Denise did the medicines more than me as she had the knack of getting the 2
THE HUNTER
One week before she died
We were preparing for our first Travelblog inspired trip...to Java...to climb volcanoes and to reach enlightenment at Borobudur...Rocco & Bella booked into vacation care at The Contented Cat Inn...worried if Bella would survive our absence.
Bella seemed to know we were concerned for her health...so one week before she died...she caught a bird...just to show she still had it.
A week before we left for Java...Friday...getting ready for work...Bella hadn't come for breakfast...unlike her...went looking...found her lying next to our bed...my side...on her side...still warm...fur, soft as ever.
I placed her on a towel...we called Rocco in...he approached reluctantly...smelt her backside...kept his distance after that...accepting his sister was no longer with us...not pining at night after that...we happy he knew.
I let the kids know by Facebook...Simon in Toronto, Canada and Anna-Louise somewhere in South America...kind, sad responses from each.
I could not believe my grief...never felt like this for a cat before
...clients understanding with condolences...a sad day for both Denise & I.
Reminded me of the time I went to play with the twins down the road as a kid...and their mother & sisters were wailing loudly for hours from the death of their dog.
We for Bella, were more contained than that though.
So before I could commence my blogs of our amazing adventures in Java...I had to attend to family business...hence this blog...in memory of Bella.
We well bury her ashes on Anna-Louise's return from overseas...Bella...Rest in Peace...we will remember you...our beautiful girl.
Relax & Enjoy,
Dancing Dave
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My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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Comments
Date: 10th January 2012
Dave our hearts are full of love for you and Denise
We lost our dog, Miss Lillie after 14 1/2 years in June. A day does not go by where we mourn her absence. She traveled many places with us and was a large part of our life. We understand your pain. Please know our good thoughts are with you and I appreciate you sharing the story. These wonderful animals help you to be a better person as they teach us unconditional love and are always waiting for us, happy and smiling when we return from an adventure.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Dave our hearts are full of love for you and Denise
We lost our dog, Miss Lillie after 14 1/2 years in June. A day does not go by where we mourn her absence. She traveled many places with us and was a large part of our life. We understand your pain. Please know our good thoughts are with you and I appreciate you sharing the story. These wonderful animals help you to be a better person as they teach us unconditional love and are always waiting for us, happy and smiling when we return from an adventure.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 10th January 2012
What a fitting epitaph to a dear and beloved feline companion.
My mother and father divorced when I was 12 years old and not long after that my mother evolved into what I could only term as a 'nutty old cat woman' as she began to collect every waif and stray in the neighbourhood and put all of the love and affection she had into their care. Eventually, I began to see and appreciate the love and joy that these beautiful creatures could impart and over the years we lost many of our own feline friends who had become an important part of our family, so I do indeed understand your pain and deep sense of loss. All we can do is care for them, love them and hope that they understand how much we adore them. I do hope that you will both gain some peace and consolation in the fact that your beautiful cat passed away next to the two people who loved her more than anything else in the world. I couldn't imagine that your dear Bella would have wanted it any other way.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
What a fitting epitaph to a dear and beloved feline companion.
My mother and father divorced when I was 12 years old and not long after that my mother evolved into what I could only term as a 'nutty old cat woman' as she began to collect every waif and stray in the neighbourhood and put all of the love and affection she had into their care. Eventually, I began to see and appreciate the love and joy that these beautiful creatures could impart and over the years we lost many of our own feline friends who had become an important part of our family, so I do indeed understand your pain and deep sense of loss. All we can do is care for them, love them and hope that they understand how much we adore them. I do hope that you will both gain some peace and consolation in the fact that your beautiful cat passed away next to the two people who loved her more than anything else in the world. I couldn't imagine that your dear Bella would have wanted it any other way.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 10th January 2012
Extremely heartfelt. Until about a year ago, I wouldn't have even read this, but ever since we've taken in a couple of strays, I've grown to love cats. Our two cuddle up like yours and when one went missing for a couple of day...it was unbearable. Very sad entry with some emotive pictures.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Extremely heartfelt. Until about a year ago, I wouldn't have even read this, but ever since we've taken in a couple of strays, I've grown to love cats. Our two cuddle up like yours and when one went missing for a couple of day...it was unbearable. Very sad entry with some emotive pictures.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 10th January 2012
So sorry for your loss
We have also been cat people all our lives, although we currently also have a dog. Our last one to pass away was Priscilla, or Prissy. We adopted her in 1984 in Brussels. She moved to Virginia with us in 1995, but she died at the age of 21 just before we moved to Colorado to retire. We cried. Thanks for sharing your stories. We look forward to your blogs from Java. The last time I was there was 1959. Maybe your blogs will inspire me to return...although I would probably go to Bali...but not where tourists are if such a place exists.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
So sorry for your loss
We have also been cat people all our lives, although we currently also have a dog. Our last one to pass away was Priscilla, or Prissy. We adopted her in 1984 in Brussels. She moved to Virginia with us in 1995, but she died at the age of 21 just before we moved to Colorado to retire. We cried. Thanks for sharing your stories. We look forward to your blogs from Java. The last time I was there was 1959. Maybe your blogs will inspire me to return...although I would probably go to Bali...but not where tourists are if such a place exists.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 11th January 2012
so sorry ;-(
Beautiful goodbye to your dear friend and practically family member. We understand perfectly how important animals are in our lives as we were heartbroken to leave our beautiful Spaniel Athos behind with our parents when going for this trip....Bella had a great life it seems. Take care. B&T
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
so sorry ;-(
Beautiful goodbye to your dear friend and practically family member. We understand perfectly how important animals are in our lives as we were heartbroken to leave our beautiful Spaniel Athos behind with our parents when going for this trip....Bella had a great life it seems. Take care. B&T
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 11th January 2012
Sorry
Sorry to hear about Bella....thinking of you all.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Sorry
Sorry to hear about Bella....thinking of you all.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 13th January 2012
Bella is remembered.
I was sorry to hear about the loss of Bella, your stories and memories of how much a member of your family Bella was is fabulous. The ending whenever it comes is always sad. It is good those memories will make you smile now and always. Jane x
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Bella is remembered.
I was sorry to hear about the loss of Bella, your stories and memories of how much a member of your family Bella was is fabulous. The ending whenever it comes is always sad. It is good those memories will make you smile now and always. Jane x
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
Date: 14th January 2012
THANK YOU EVERYONE
Thank you for your kind words...and taking the time to read my memorial to Bella and comment...Rocco is missing her terribly...our thoughts go to him.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
THANK YOU EVERYONE
Thank you for your kind words...and taking the time to read my memorial to Bella and comment...Rocco is missing her terribly...our thoughts go to him.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story
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A beautiful memorial to a much loved friend. Hope you are doing okay and can now smile when remembering the great times you had together.
From Blog: BELLA...R.I.P. A Cat's Story