Dear Bellis Fanclub,

I was actually brought to tears when I saw this picture of Bellis. All I could think was how proud and beautiful our girl looks.

On my last visit to Tabby’s Place, I walked in at the same time a Girl Scout Troop was arriving to deliver donations and take a tour. Bellis was center stage, sitting on a chair in the lobby. I sat down on the couch next to Bellis and observed.

A young girl approached another who was standing behind the chair in which Bellis sat. “Look, he has a bended ear and no eyes, he’s so sad,” she said. I can assure you that Bellis wasn’t sad at all, but you probably knew that already. The other girl made a face and walked around the chair to get a closer look at Bellis’ face. I was the one who was sad!

Just then, Jonathan began the tour, and his booming voice drew all the attention away from the cats. I sat and listened and thought about poor Bellis and how sad that kind of reaction must be. Then it dawned on me that Bellis had no idea what the girl said or what anyone’s reaction is to Bellis when they see her. Jonathan talked about the special needs cats and a girl raised her hand; she had a blind cat. The cat had eaten only dog food, and that made her blind. It seemed all the girls were very sympathetic and happy about the great outcome for her cat that apparently carried on like she still had vision. Just like our Bellis.

At one point in Jonathan’s welcome, he asked the group who had cats – I couldn’t believe how many hands went up, it was literally at least 75% of the group. My heart jumped a beat in happiness.

The welcome came to an end, and the group split up for tours. I sat with Bellis, petting her, talking to her and playing. The quiet in the room was nice; all you could hear were doors closing in various places. It was a nice, peaceful time which soon ended as the girls returned from their tour.

But, I think they were changed from their tour, because the girls all wanted to pet Bellis and play with her, and nobody cared at all that she has a “bended ear” and no eyes. Certainly nobody thought she looked sad, and she didn’t; Bellis shone like a star. She sat nicely as she was mauled, and wasn’t even fazed by the noise which accompanied roughly 25 young girls talking about all the cats they had met on the tour.

Sweet Bellis sat proudly and posed for pictures. My heart melted as everyone took turns petting her and the other cats in the lobby. Maybe, just maybe, one of them will come back someday as a volunteer, or maybe it will help them open their home to a special needs cat someday. If their reaction to Bellis is any indication, I think it’s likely.

Stay warm this cold January, our wonderful sponsors. Remember to bundle up, and remember how much we appreciate you. You make so many lives richer: not just Bellis’, but, also all the people that are reached by Tabby’s Place and their mission.