HomeAboutContactSponsor

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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 :)

DSC_1083

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!

DSC_1196

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!

DSC_1218

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.

DSC_1408

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.

DSC_1432-2

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}:

StellaBed

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!

17 comments:

Katie said...

Aww! I love how much you just talked about her :) So cute. She seems like she has a great personality.

ashlyn said...

stella is so cute! & she seems so sweet! :] it is awesome to have a cat that is lovable.

my parents have cats & they are are cuddly when they want to be, kinda stinks!

Lauren said...

Such a little cuddle bug!! I love it :) While I'm way too allergic to cats to have one, I always wished I could take my neighbor's cat home with me and keep her forever. She would follow me to the bus stop and insisted on getting love anytime she saw me. I actually never had an allergic reaction to her and in my eyes she was the perfect cat... I'm sure Stella is the same for you :)

Anonymous said...

This post totally made me tear up a bit. Stella is adorable! What a lucky cat, to be adopted into your loving arms :)

Whitney Tomlin said...

this is adorable. I am the same way with my dogs! Once, we even set up a video camera while we left just so I could make sure they didn't cry when I was gone :)

Sarah @ 90 Percent Blonde... said...

She's adorable! I'm glad to read that she is a rescue... some people don't understand that they are just as good (usually better) then a pet store

natasha {schue love} said...

I've got two furbabies and I know there is nothing I wouldn't do for them!

Lindsey said...

How sweet and I'm so glad that Stella is A-OK now. So scary, I didn't even know that about cats and I've had a cat basically my whole life. Only boy cats though, but still good to know. I miss my cat! He's at my Mom's. meowwww

Raquel said...

Awwww Stella is so cute!! Love this post, it made me smile :)

Mrs. Pancakes said...

What a cute way to introduce stella..she is a diva!

Ashley said...

what a little love! i know cats get a bad rap compared to dogs but they totally have cute little personalities too!

how lucky is she to have you :)

K_stets said...

Love your kitty! I've had many cats my whole life (grew up on a farm) and I had no idea about the cancer!

I have a cat too, and he loves to play fetch. He also thinks he is a dog. Which is hilarious when he brings me a toy that is bigger than his head to go fetch.

C Mae said...

She's truly precious. Thank you so much for sharing her almost scary but thankfully not, story. Glad she is okay. :)

Katie said...

Oh my goodness! How sad! I get so attached to animals. It must be great to see her feeling better. :)

Carolyn said...

OH! Such a cute little kitty! :) And a great story! Stella is very lucky to have you!

Home on Poplar said...

I have such a soft spot for calico/tortishell cats... she is too cute!

Sophie @ threetimesf said...

Aww, cute post! Stella is lucky to have you :)