Friday 5 March 2021

Goodbye Belle Belle

About two weeks ago, Belle Belle simply upped and left. She did not show up in the morning for breakfast and neither did she turn up for dinner.

This happened a day or two after she did something remarkable. One morning I went for my morning walk. There is a small field near my home where residents can do their exercise. 

Belle Belle followed me just like a puppy. I was surprised because she has never done that before and neither has Girl. She followed me right up to the field and when I walked around the field, she simply followed.

Of course she couldn't keep up and when she was left far behind, she called out to me with her awkward sounds. Belle Belle doesn't meow like a normal cat. Instead she goes something like this - eeyaukk...eeyaukk...

She looked so cute that I couldn't resist picking her up and giving her a cuddle. She normally wouldn't allow me to do that and would squirm and kick. But that morning she was very agreeable and I could hold her and give her a few scratches on her head. After a while, she gave me a gentle kick with her hind leg as if to say "OK ma...enough already". 

Suffice to say, she was very distracting so I cut short my exercise. She followed me home and I was really pleased with that little alone time I had with her. But that turned out to be (in my head) Belle Belle's way of saying goodbye.


Just when I thought that things were looking up with her and Girl getting friendly, this had to happen. 

I suspect Belle ran away because she hated the evening ritual of me cleaning her ears (due to ear mite infestation) and applying ear drops which she finds very unpleasant. It came to a point when she would run when she sees me. Because she is slow on her feet, I always manage to catch her.


Prior to the last visit to the vet, she had been sluggish and sleepy but she has since recovered except for her left ear. I have been diligently cleaning her ear and the condition appeared to have improved significantly. Even the hairs below ear are growing again (it used to be almost bald).

I was really sad when Belle did not show up for many days. Even her litter box had not been used. But I caught glimpses of her crossing the road from a few doors away. She is around but chose not so come home.

I even thought and suggested to my partner that maybe Belle has found a new owner. I do not mind that, as long as someone loves her and cares for her and gives her a forever home.

But one morning she showed up. eeyaukk...eeyaukk... Belle!! My heart jumped with joy when I saw her. I quickly grabbed her feeding bowl, fed her and gave her a few head scratches.


I noticed that her fur was wet, just like how it was when I first met her. Oh no. Skin infection again after running away from home. Her left ear was very bad again. When I got home in the evening, Belle was nowhere to be seen. She did not show up the next morning either.

Then this morning, she came home again.


Of course I was glad. I gave her some food and she was obviously very hungry.


After her meal, she hung around for a little while. I did not attempt to do anything to her ear as I did not want to spook her. After a while she left. 


I really do not understand what is going on with Belle. Is it me? Or has she decided it is time for her to move on? Whatever it is, I am hoping that Belle decides to come home again. I will have to think how to solve her health problems. My heart is so broken right now.

19 comments:

  1. Oh dear!!! That is so very sad!

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  2. Why Do Cats Run Away

    https://pethelpful.com/cats/Why-Do-Cats-Leave-Home-or-Runaway-and-Not-Come-Back


    https://tractive.com/blog/en/good-to-know/why-your-cat-is-running-away


    https://www.lostcatadvice.com/why-cats-disappear/

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  3. Aiyo, I am so sad la when I read this. Looking at your title, I thought Bella has passed away. Since her health is not good, that is a possibility. Then she appears very hungry so that means she didn't find a new owner. I think words can't describe your sadness but I also think you know what to do if she asks you for food again so I shall not try to give any advice here but the story of her following you to exercise and of calling out to you and let you hold her is just too touching. Since you say you are always faster than her, I suspect Bella knows that she is dying and maybe would like to spare you the pain. How sad.

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    1. I am so sad until I type her name wrongly. Belle Belle please return home to your mommy, ok? Since you obviously didn't find a new owner since you appear very hungry.

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    2. I'm very sad. Belle came back this morning. She did not eat much and appears very unkempt. I have to accept that I have lost her.

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    3. Good that Belle comes back to visit u. One rescuer advice to me is for these cases is to hospitalized her to find out whether she is dying or not and to provide full indoor paliatative care for her to live comfortably until she pass but I tell the rescuer, the cat may not understand n may prefer to be roaming until die instead of being hospitalized or receive full indoor paliatative care la. Haizzzz, just too sad for words.

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  4. So sad.... I hope she is doing alright out there.

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    1. She is in the neighborhood and came home briefly this morning. She did not stay long.

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. T_T I think she may have gone away to die since she's a senior cat and you did mention she was unwell (I've not heard of cats running away especially when they have food, shelter and love...but I've heard of cats running away to die elsewhere unfortunately). Outdoor cats (like Belle) or strays it seems have a life expectancy of only about 7 - 8 years (compared to double the time for indoor cats which makes sense since indoor cats are kept safe and away from the possibility of contracting diseases from other cats or strays), so perhaps Belle's time has come. :'( Do not be too sad as you still have Ah Girl's love and companionship to look forward to. Chin up! ;)

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    1. I can't help feeling sad about the fact that Belle does not have long to live. She most likely goes back to the place she used to hang out which is why she keeps getting infected and can't recover. I try not to be sad and I must accept that I have lose Belle. Yes, I still have my Ah Girl who I hope will live a long, long time and not ever run away.

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  6. My own experience, cats tend to stay away from owners and prefer dark, secluded spots if they're going to die. I'm not sure if that's Belle Belle's case.https://phonghongbakes.blogspot.com/logout?d=https://www.blogger.com/logout-redirect.g?blogID%3D1222156107435210447%26postID%3D3037311617790170308
    I guess what can be done is only to wait for her and embrace her with open arms when or if she's back.

    Take care!

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  7. Oh, this is something new to me, I mean going away few days and coming back and then leaving again. I guess Belle knows what she is doing, only we humans do not know why. My furry member is 12 going on to 13, and it is written that labradors have 12 years of lifespan... I don't know when she will go off but I know I will be very sad too!

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    1. I am confused as she shows up for makan and then she disappears. She has cabutted again. Our pets will one day break our hearts.

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  8. So sorry to hear that, hopefully she's just playful and wanted to see the outside world and will come back to you after she bored of going out.

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