The laughter of my boyfriend Jim (now my hubby!) and his longtime friend, who was visiting us from out of town (we were living in Phoenix, AZ at this time), could be heard from inside our house early one morning in May of 2000. I went out to see what was so funny, and there was this tiny kitten trying to get close to our JuJu (who at the time was let outside when supervised) and JuJu was hissing up a storm! I said "JuJu, be nice." Jim then enlightened me with "Well this little one was just HISSING at JuJu!!" Well this little stinker of a kitten managed to climb back up on our 6ft. cement wall that surrounds our backyard. I was amazed at just how tiny she was! Her short little stubby legs trotted her back and forth along the wall as I tried to let her smell me. She didn't want any part of that! It was a fairly warm May morning and she was very thirsty and hot, she was panting like a dog, which I know is distress for felines. I tried my hardest to get her to come by me, tempting her with water, moist food, milk-nothing worked. She then would jump, or I should say "fall" off of the wall and run in the front of our house. I was so afraid she would run into the street, fortunately she didn't. So here it's about 8am on a Saturday morning and I'm chasing this little kitten in my PJ's! She would then somehow get back up on the wall and run along it. I managed to "play" with her with a bit piece of a twig. Finally, after 3 hours of my persuing her, she came to rest upon the wall under some branches and leaves of a tree. I took my chance and scooped her up-I lay on a lawn chair with her on my chest for a bit, I didn't want to alarm her all at once. She was still panting and to my amazement, was only as big as my hand! Well, after about 2 minutes, she scurried away! I thought "OH NO!!" I couldn't let her get away-I couldn't imagine how something that small could ever make it in this big world! I scooped her up right away and this time put her into a kitty carrier. I told Jim I was going to bring her upstairs to the spare bedroom to feed her and let her rest. He of course said OK amongst the chants of his buddy "I think you got yourself another cat!" I was determined to prove them wrong! We only had Taffy for 4 months and she herself still had alot of adjusting to do, so my head was telling me this wasn't the best time for another cat, but my heart was telling me it was. I then searched the internet for hours looking for a No-Kill Rescue group to take her. I could in no way drop her at the Humane Society or a Shelter. Even though she was an adorable kitten, who most likely would have been adopted, the mere thought that there was any percentage of her being put down made me sick. All of the wonderful No-Kill groups I did locate do not take strays, they rescue from the shelters and the Humane societys, saving the beloved animals that are due to be put down. I sat there and cried "what am I to do? I can't give her up to a shelter that might not let her live!" Jim found me crying and without hesitation said "Don't worry, we can keep her" .





We named her Bella because she looked like a little vampire or bat to me, so she is named after the famed actor who portrayed Dracula: Bela Lugosi! When I took her to the vet she was estimated at 10 weeks old and a bit over 2lbs! So tiny!! Bella remained in her "own, kitty-stocked room" for the next 5 weeks. She was so small, I was certain she would get lost or worse yet, hurt in our home. At 15 weeks of age, we slowly let her out only when supervised. This went on for a few weeks and eventually she remained out all of the time. Boy, let me tell you she certainly was a Handful!! I was hoping either JuJu or Taffy would Mother her, but no such luck-They really dislike her! She of course wanted to play, they of course wanted no part of that! I truly feel that she looks to me as her 'Mommy'. I may feel this more so from her because she was so very young when rescued. I don't know what happened to her that day, where her 'Cat Mommy' was or why she was outside all alone. All I know is I was determined to rescue her, determined to save her from the big, dangerous, noisy world. I love her so, my teeny-tiny baby that found me.








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Name: Bella
Birthday: March 2000

I Like: My Nutro Max Cat Gourmet Classics Lite brand dry fud, treats, toys, treats, playing, treats, to lay on a PURRfectly still lap
I DON'T Like: For you ta move when I'm lay'in on you, when Simba chases me, loud noises, da doorbell, being on a diet or strangers!





MY NICKNAMES:

Bayla
Beela
Lil' Kitten
Der' Bingle
Little girl
Big Mama









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