The Story of Stella

Let me just start off by saying that, while I have a cat, I consider myself an ANIMAL lover! I don’t discriminate. I don’t think cats are better than dogs and vice versa. Every animal is so unique in their own way and they each have something wonderful to offer as pets :) With love, food, and some training, pets can end up being some of our greatest companions. Today, I’m excited to be linking up with C Mae for Tail Wagging Tuesday!

I’ve mentioned my cat Stella a few times on this blog, but, because I had a different blog when I adopted her, many of you don’t know her “story.” So, I figured since this is my first time linking up about my pet, I’d dedicate this post to Stella and the role she’s played in my life thus far :)

Homeless animals have always had a huge spot in my heart for as long as I can remember. I’ve been known to go to the Humane Society/SPCA to just visit, see the animals, and say “hi.” February 12th of this year started off just like any normal trip to the shelter. I had the intentions of going and saying “hi” to the cats and dogs. I entered the cat room and there in the second cage was a little tortoiseshell cat. Her information said she was 1 year 9 months old and the reason of intake was a “move.” She became the first cat I took out to play with in the little room there at the shelter.

She was a little ragdoll and loved spending time on our laps. I fell in love with her instantly. I knew after only a few short minutes that I may never find another cat like her. It just felt right. The decision had been made. After filling out some paperwork and paying a small fee for baby girl, she had a new forever home and that was with me :)

Her adjustment into a new household was a little iffy at first. She just wanted to hide under the bed all day and didn’t eat for about three days. I was getting worried, but after the first week, she started loving her new home! She became such a little cuddle bug and was always SO playful!

As most cats do, she found the most creative places to nap. I got a kick out of this spot when I walked into my closet one day and saw her laying with all my tote bags!

Stella would even curl up in a skillet we had just won in a giveaway. She’s a riot, I tell ya!

Then, one day in May, everything got turned upside down.

We noticed a pea-sized bump underneath her skin on her tummy. There were a few smaller bumps as well. I made an appointment at the vet and found out Stella could possibly have breast cancer and would need to have a mastectomy as soon as possible. You see, female cats that are not spayed when they are young run a much larger chance of developing breast cancer than cats that are spayed earlier in life. Stella had not been spayed until she was turned into the Humane Society. The worst part is 80% of mammary masses in cats are malignant!

The weekend I had to take Stella in for surgery was so scary and sad, not knowing what the result was going to be. I cried and prayed, cried and prayed and was SO happy to receive the call from the vet that she was doing well and could be picked up.

My little girl could hardly get around with the cone on her head. We placed this suitcase at the foot of the bed for her to use as a stepping stool but instead, she made it her new bed and slept there all the time. I had to help her eat and I’m sure using the litter box took all the energy she had. She was a trooper.

The days of waiting for the test results were long. Finally, I received word from the vet that the masses were, in fact, NOT malignant and you better believe I jumped for joy. Stella’s post-surgery check-up went well and soon her collar came off. I still check her tummy for those bumps as they could easily return. Do you and your pet a favor and, while you’re giving them a massage or rubbing their tummy, check for anything out of the ordinary. You never know…

Call me ridiculous, but Stella has felt like a child to me. I admit, there was a time after she was first adopted that I was out one evening and said, “I wish I could call Stella to make sure she’s doing alright.” That’s love right there.

I’ve had her for almost exactly eight months now and we’ve already gone through so much together. She was the only one there on those lonely nights in Utah and she made the journey across the country with me where she’s adoring her new home and all the loving people around her. She follows me around like Toto, jumps up on the couch next to me when I’m watching TV, and LOVES to play fetch.

This weekend, I had the delight of waking up to this {my most recent picture of her}:

She’s been the perfect little companion and there’s not a thing I wouldn’t do for her :)

If you have a little fur baby, be sure to head over to Happiness is and link-up!