This cozy cat-rescue story is from cat shelter volunteer, photographer, and award-winning author Ramona Marek in Texas.
Part 1. Before Bebe
I had a 15 year-old cat, Natasha Fatale, a full time Diva dressed as an “anything but plain brown tabby” who was thriving as an only child. My nearly 17 years-old heart and soul cat, Tsarevich Ivan, a Siberian, crossed to grace two years earlier. I went back and forth pondering if I should get another cat or let Natasha live her best life in total adoration. I wasn’t in a hurry to make that decision. While I wasn’t actively looking I had begun to think about getting another cat.
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I knew wanted an adult, a longhaired black cat or a blue-eyed cat, and a cat that was different from the other cats I’d had. Cue the adage, ‘Careful what you wish for’.
Part 2. Meeting Bebe
One Saturday in January 2023 I went to my shift at O’Malley Alley Cat Rescue ready to meet our newest kitty: Briar Cove, an 8-month old gray and white tuxedo kitten found as a stray. He was being treated for an upper respiratory infection (URI) and an ear infection.
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When I sat down he bounded across the room almost in a single leap and up into my arms, chirping the whole way. I couldn’t help laughing. He sounded like the Jetsons flying car. But what my heart heard was, “I’ve been waiting for you!”
Of course he had adoption applications coming in so I tried to distance myself from him. Could I take him to his new home? Yes. That fell through, then another adopter wanted to meet him. The people-loving kitten ignored her. Ignored her! I took those as signs from Ivan, who also conversed in chirps and trills, that Briar Cove was meant to be mine.
I took him home on a foster trial to see how Natasha would respond to him. I played with a new name, one that reflected his original name, Briar, King of Little Chirps. I kept the B and incorporated King. Then with a play on words of music and cat fancy color, blue, which is a dilute of black, I came up with Bebe, King of the Blues.
Over the course of a few months of slow introduction Natasha started accepting him–they’d eat side by side, we had same room sleep overs and they slept on the couch at the same time. The transition went much better than I expected. Then Natasha’s behavior changed. She became agitated, hissy, and distant. Her fur started coming out by handfuls. I thought it was due to stress.
I returned Bebe to O’Malley. His health plummeted as did Natasha’s. Within two weeks Natasha crossed to grace from cancer, so I went back to get Bebe. His URI raged, he had GI upset and had lost weight down to 6.3 pounds from 7.8 pounds. Back to the vet for meds and supplements.Â
I fed Bebe kitten food for two years giving his GI tract time to mature. His URI still flares up in times of stress. He will always be a “schnootmeister”. He’s teaching me to overcome that particular Kryptonite.
Part 3. Bebe Today
Today, Bebe reigns as sun puddle sovereign of the garden with equal amounts of chaos and whimsy. He patrols his domain from his windows alerting when birds, squirrels and lizards irreverently cross the wilds of the backyard. His mischievous curiosity keeps both of us busy; he’s an intrepid explorer of cabinet drawers. Bebe believes every person who comes to the door–family, friend or service tech– is there to see him. His nicknames include Bébé le Strange, Bebe Wrexham and Little Boy.Â
Bebe’s an adult now, though he may never “adult”. He still zooms through the house making flying car sounds. He isn’t a cuddly lap cat but he is always nearby. He’s learning to snuggle. My heart melts when he sleeps with the tip of his tongue peeking out between his lips. Forever whimsical, Bebe, King of the Blues has brought laughter and love back into my home and heart.
Keep up with Bebe and Ramona at:
Bebe’s Too Cute Tuesday: https://www.facebook.com/RamonaMarek.Writer/