Wanna Meet Bella?
On February 23, my old friend Linda contacted me:
Would be interested (and willing) to give a loving kitty a home? She’s a spayed older female, litter box trained and very friendly. I’m trying to find an “inside” home for her so she doesn’t get traumatized being turned into a barn cat (which is what will happen if she stays at her new home.) Right now, they’re keeping her in the garage.
A local person had her but can’t keep her any longer as she is moving back to Missouri to take care of her mom. TMI probably, but wanted you to know “Bella’s” story as to how I got her.
I don’t think she’ll survive living at her new home (especially with 3 dogs) so I really want to find a home for her.
I replied.
After cursing Linda for sending me the email, I stated: Recently, I lost one of my two indoor kitties [New Kitty] and wouldn’t mind having another indoor kitty.
So…sigh…bring Bella to me.
And, thus, Bella entered Ross Land.
Over the decades I have taken in many cats. Some adjust in an instant. Oh! Hi! Wow, this place is great! Can I sit in your lap? Do you have Netflix?
Some are wary. Ahhh, what is going on? Where am I? What, there’s Netflix?
And then they hide under the bed for a few days.
On rare occasions I’ve experienced this: EEK! EEK! FUCK! OH, HELL NO!
And then they hide…somewhere…for two weeks.
But Bella broke the record. Since arriving, she’s been, ahh, unavailable for three weeks. While not actually hiding, she was certainly not joining in the nightly cocktail hour with Gray and I.
I have a walk-in closet with some bookshelves along one wall. About 6-feet up, Bella found some space between books and lodged herself there for three weeks. I could pet her, but only by maintaining safety precautions: Slowly, I could extend my hand to her nose. Then I had to wait till she extended her nose to my fingertips. Then she smelled. And only when she moved her head back a half-inch could I…slowly…extend my hand to scratch her head and neck. She would luxuriate in this, but made it quite clear that my adoration could not extend to her body. I tried. Once. But only once.
Kitty be fierce.
Three days ago though I was in my office. Gray was nestled in a box atop my desk, dead asleep. It was late. But something to the left caught my eye. I turned.
And there was Bella.
I lowered my hand and wiggled my fingers.
She slowly, very slowly, walked over to my hand and pushed her head into it.
My heart soared. My eyes watered up.
And as I write these words tonight, Gray is, again, asleep in her box atop my desk, and Bella is asleep sitting on my old coat laid upon another chair.
And Ross?
He’s delighted.
Bella, before falling asleep tonight.
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Bella’s luck has changed! She will too 🙂 beautiful baby.
She is beautiful and so regal. I think you may need the give her something fancier to recline on.
Oh, my – quite the handsome lady, this Bella! I can certainly see her taking charge of the Cross House. 🐱
Those ears. What an interesting cat! Happy for you, man!
So the real question is, what is Bella’s Netflix pick? 😄 you have such a big heart Ross.
Netflix for Bella
Kitty Love: An homage to cats
Beauty and the Beast. (the French B&W with subtitles.)
Love that one!
She’s beautiful! Very exotic looking and regal.
Your friend knew you are a softie! Haha
You are a saint. And very patient.
Bella is a beautiful girl. And she has no idea just how lucky she is. She may never know. But she doesn’t have to. Seems she’s already figured out she is in a safe place and will be there forever. Or rather with you and the rest of the clouder. It will be a while before everyone relocates to the Cross House so she will have plenty of time to acclimate to her new family. Then when the move finally does happen, she will adjust quicker.
Bless you for taking Bella in.
What a gorgeous cat. Bella may not know it yet, but she’s fallen into the perfect home for her. Enjoy your new kitty, Ross.
What a good looking woman!! 😻😻😻
She reminds me of my Friskers….long gone to Miami.
You are a softy, and we’re glad you are! Bless you and all your kitties. 🙂
Bella is beautiful, such pretty eyes. She’s a lucky kitty, Linda knew you would give Bella a home.
Bella looks exactly like a cat that my grandmother had from the late 60s until the early 80s; like every other cat that ever lived at Grandma’s house, her name was Kitty. She was very reserved and regal, and did not appreciate the attention of rowdy little boys; when I was older, she finally allowed me to be in the same room with her as long as I sat quietly with a book. Kitty moved to Florida a few months after Grandma passed away; she tried living with my aunt, but after 15+ year with Grandma, she decided that Florida was preferable to living in a strange house.
Oh ciao, Bella! Ross got another indoor kitty-cat. Meow!