Wayside Park

Momma decided to stop and let me stretch my legs on the way home at Wayside Park (Virginia).  As you can see, she had her hands full trying to take this picture.  We're still mastering the art of walking on a leash.  I don't know who's worse at it -- me or Momma.  She gets the leash all tangled around her legs, then tries to blame it on me!  Now wait a minute . . . Who's in control here?!?

Pawprints on the Heart

A special keepsake for fan club members!!

A Trip to the Beach

One of our first road trips was a six-hour drive to Colonial Beach, Virginia to see Grandmeow.  Momma said she wanted to get me used to riding in the car.  I must admit, I did get a little restless pacing back and forth like a caged circus tiger.  I meowed the whole trip.  Momma tried to tune me out with the radio, so I decided to put on a show and meow louder!  It was like a battle of the bands!  Honestly, I think I'd be great at karaoke.  I can hit several different octaves with my vocals -- a Bengal trait.  I seem to be a born natural at it.

P.S. The beach was great!  Nothing like feeling a little sand between the toe pads!  And the seagulls . . . and the sand pipers running along the beach . . .  All I could envision was jerk chicken smokin' on the grill!  Yeah mon.  Now we be meowing!

Preparing for Travel

Before we hit the road, Momma took me to the veterinarian to make sure I was healthy and up to date on vaccinations.  While we were there, she decided to have me microchipped in case I got lost, so we could be reunited again.  Momma said pretty soon the government is going to require her to be microchipped, too!  I guess that way if she gets lost, the government will know exactly what she's doing and where she's at.  Imagine that!  

Despite rumors about microchipping being painful, I trusted Momma's judgement.  I was awake the whole time and didn't even flinch!  I'm such a big girl (12.8 pounds to be exact).

Because I was on my best behavior, one of the technicians put me behind the counter to help check in the other animals.  I felt very important running the show for a while -- top cat you might say.  And I'm welcome to come back and visit anytime!
  

Life Before the Road

Before my life as a gypsy cat began, I was strictly a house cat.  My paws had never touched the likes of grass -- let alone asphalt.  I'm actually a retired breeder.  After my last litter of 10 kittens, Momma One decided to spay and declaw me, and keep me strictly as a pet.  Life was good with Momma One.

But then my second Momma came along.  She was in desperate need of a companion to love.  She had lost everything (including her pets) and was starting over again in life.  So, Momma One gave me to her dearest friend, so that she wouldn't be alone -- an unselfish act from the bottom of her heart.

Sometimes, I feel sorry for my new Momma.  People often call her a "crazy cat lady" because all she does is talk about me, but they don't understand everything she's been through.  I'm all she's got -- just me, her Jeep, and the clothes on her back traveling cross country like a tumbleweed.

When Momma found out she was going to be traveling with her new job, she decided that she had given up enough in her life and that she wasn't giving up one more thing -- especially me!

Momma did some research and registered me with the Emotional Support Animal Registration of America (ESARA).  Now, I'm the luckiest cat in the world!  I get to go everywhere with Momma!  And so my new life begins . . .

For more information on registering your animal with ESARA visit:
http://www.esaregistration.org or call (888) 316-0855.

Meow Everyone!

Just thought I'd take a minute to introduce myself.  My name is Bella, and I'm a 5-year old Bengal cat, which is a cross between a small Asian leopard and a domestic cat!  I am about six generations removed from a real leopard.  While I have leopard markings and spots, my temperament takes after a house cat.  I am very affectionate and love to make friends.  I am also very smart -- a Bengal trait. 

While most people know me as Bella, I picked up the name 'Glitter Cat' because of my beautiful glitter coat -- another desired Bengal trait.  When the sun shines upon my fur, it looks like spun gold!
  
I cordially invite you to come take a walk on the wild side with me as I travel cross country with my Momma!

Sincerely,

Bella aka Glitter Cat