Bellie
*August 1996
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Bellie was our third kitty and I admit I bought her in a pet store because she was simply irresistible with her distinct facial markings. I didn't even ask Evae if he wanted another cat; I had to have her. 'Tortoiseshells are very special cats," I was often told, and that's no lie.

Bellie was just a few weeks old when she became part of our family and she immediately fell in love with Happy and Cowboy who were already living with us when I brought her home. Except for Cowboy who was Happy's best friend, she was the only cat ever allowed to snuggle up against Happy. And when it got cold, she did plenty of that. They would often curl up in our bed, next to each other, heads on the pillow, legs intertwined, like a couple in love. It was heartwarming to see.

Bellie has always been the one bringing home "dinner"-lizzards with only three legs left which she would gladly deposit in our closet if the door was open, as well as the really big bugs; but thankfully never a live mouse or rat. Our yard was soon depleted of lizzards and other crawly things. She took her job very seriously.

These days, as she's getting older, and as we've added the two crazy Salukis who love to chase her (NOT her favorite game!), Bellie prefers to live up on the cabinets, on the cat walks we've installed in the whole house, and on the top shelves of every closet she can get into.

Bellie is our least social cat; she prefers a quiet and peaceful home. She manages to disappear completely when we have guests. People always ask us where all of our cats are. Playing Houdini, what else? They're cats after all, not Golden Retrievers.

  

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