Greetings to Bellis’ sponsors,

Our sweet creamsicle girl is making a full recovery from those annoying lesions on her arm, which she’s been noted licking frequently. The lesions have healed sufficiently for us to discontinue her steroid medication, an excellent thing.

While Bellis’ health has been good, her social life has taken a turn for the…well, more “interesting.” With the arrival of Chance, the long-stable lobby population has gotten a bit agitated. Although he’s an extremely gentle and loving boy around humans, visually-impaired Chance is not very comfortable with other cats, and has been noticed growling, howling and smacking his new neighbors…especially Bellis. For her part, poor Bellis just cowers until a human comes and breaks things up. Fortunately, no one has been hurt in any of these scuffles, and Chance does seem to be settling down as he gets used to lobby life (though he’ll still let out horror-movie-esque screams if the wrong cat crosses his path).

On my last visit, though, I have to say I didn’t see any arguing at all. In fact, when I arrived Bellis was sitting quietly on a couch. She looked like a regal lion, posing, chin up and front paws tucked underneath her chest. I snapped this picture quickly because she looked so beautiful.

The lobby is a relatively busy place, with lots of people flowing in and out and background noise of all kinds. I sat with Bellis and loved her like I do, with lots of petting and scratching and gentle chatting.

I’m not sure how Bellis feels about her recent times at Tabby’s Place. She has had a lot going on: surgery, recovery, different rooms and different roommates. It all could take a toll on a girl. But Bellis triumphs over everything.

I sat with her and talked about how she gives hope to everyone else, and how her triumphs are shared by many people in her adoring fan club. It really is amazing to watch her, because if you didn’t know she can’t see, you really wouldn’t be able to tell right away. Bellis seems to be watching everything and everyone come and go. She is watching with her other senses, and you can tell she knows exactly what is going on around her. There are many lessons to be learned from Bellis, and triumph is one of them. I’m not too worried about Chance and his chances with Bellis.

Thanks to you dear supporters, Bellis can continue to triumph over all of the challenges life throws her way. Without you all this wouldn’t be possible.