Success Stories

Roughly four years ago my neighbors alerted me that their cat had been on a wild night out on the town, and as a result was expecting kittens. I offered to take a white and ginger male. He was and still is adamant to stroll the apartment complex and check that all is to his liking. This persistent behavior led to him to be given the name 'Steve McQueen'. I took Steve McQueen for his shots and to be fixed and thought a playmate might keep him home more. At PACC I noticed what appeared to be a kitten, a small peach colored female tabby. I enquired and was told that the was very skittish, perhaps previously abused and had been returned twice due to not being at all affectionate; this would be her last chance. So I took her home. She had a slight gas problem and I referred to her as behaving like a 'silly bean'. A neighbor while visiting remarked on the cute 'peep' noise she made when stretching and asked if I had been feeding the new cat beans. And so the new member of the family found her own name...LittleBeans. 

Over the next few years she began to slowly acclimate. She would eat from my hand, head butt me and occasionally attempt to groom me or Steve. She didn't mind the vacuum cleaner but was petrified of a broom or any attempt to stroke her (an open raised hand). So I learnt to sweep while she was in another room and stroke her with my nose. Three vets estimated three ages for her from 3 years to 13 years. 

Approximately 6 months ago she had snuck out and returned with a scratch on her face and injured eye. Off to the emergency vet clinic where she was given antibiotics and gel to put in her eye. This was quite difficult due to her being skittish, and having to trap her to do so began to diminish her trust in me, but we managed and her eye seemed to be healing. But a few months later the problem returned. A neighbor recommended Dr. Miller's Pet Clinic and they happened to have a cancelation in a couple of days. In the meantime I had contacted Brown Dog. Initially it was thought to be an abscess, but then a damaged 3rd eyelid. We tried 8 days of steroids and sedatives to no avail. 

In the meantime Brown Dog did not let me give up, I had spent almost $500, and on a limited lower income had run out of savings. With Carol's help (Brown Dog) with the application the remaining balance of almost $200 was paid. Unfortunately, Dr. Miller recognized that the swelling was getting worse and the eye needed to be removed. Dr. Miller massively reduced the bill by still another $500 but he has allowed me to make payments. The eye removal was a last resort. It was thought to perhaps be cancer but it turned out to be Valley Fever, which unfortunately had now taken hold of her tiny body. All this time feeding LittleBeans had become more and more difficult, she had always been on the thin side but it was now very concerning. The medication for Valley Fever would be expensive, but without my knowing Dr. Miller had contacted Carol and she approved payment for 6 months worth. 

LittleBeans fought really hard and for four days I fed her by using a pipette but unfortunately her weight was so low that she could no longer beat this terrible disease. She had four days of continuous hope recognized the love that comes with the hugs and cuddles that she had resisted for so long. The morning of February 12th. LittleBeans passed away peacefully in my arms. 

Tiny LittleBeans is buried in a spot she loved to spend with me while planting bulbs. She was wrapped in a raw silk shawl that had been in my family and my daughter who studies in Philadelphia read the Mourners' Kaddish over the speaker phone. She is now in peace. 

Carol at Brown Dog and Dr. Miller have been so generous with their time, financial and emotional support. I will be forever grateful.

Helena, Steve McQueen and most of all LittleBeans