Bella – Ragdoll of the Week

A Regal Beginning: From Snohomish to Our Home

If perfection were a cat, it would be my sweet Bella, with light cornflower eyes, the plushest coat, and the regalness of a queen. Bella, a blue-mitt Ragdoll, came to us from a cattery in Snohomish, Washington, Cashmere Rags. Sadly, the cattery is now closed; the owner died of cancer a few years back. As a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, I wanted to name her Izzy, however after getting to know her, she was definitely not an Izzy, she was a Bella.

At first, Bella chose my husband as her person. She was not thrilled with her new brother, Neo, a male seal-mitt Ragdoll from the same cattery, two months older. Neo was instantly infatuated, smothering her with love, but she would have none of it. Bella was equally unimpressed with me. No matter how hard I tried to win her affection with chicken treats and gentle words, she would avoid me. She was a one‑person cat.

The Turning Point: How a Scary Move Sparked a New Bond

Fate has a way of redrawing attachments in unexpected moments. Our relationship changed when we moved into another apartment. Since my husband was working, I was tasked with moving our dear sweet kitties into our new home.

As no surprise to me, Neo was thrilled with his new surroundings and explored every inch as if it were a new adventure. Bella, on the other hand, slipped from her carrier, slinking under the recliner to hide. She howled for nearly forty‑five minutes. No treat or word of comfort could convince her that this wasn’t the worst thing that had ever happened.

Life with a Queen: The “Bella Flop” and Daily Rituals

The shift in our relationship was gradual, but each day I noticed subtle changes. I would come home from work, and she would greet me at the door. At other times, she’d flop over on her side, begging for a belly rub, which we referred to as a Bella Flop. Her affection brought me such joy, filling a quiet space in my heart I hadn’t realized was empty. She’d sit by the door to see me off to work. She’d sleep in a little round basket behind my desk when I worked from home. Whether I was taking a bath or tackling a crochet project, she always found her way to my side.

Bella and Neo: A Sibling Dynamic Defined by Size

Over time, Bella also accepted that her brother Neo was here to stay. As luck would have it, she grew much larger than him. This meant that when he insisted on playing, and she wasn’t in the mood, she’d simply end the debate by sitting on his head. At night, they would chase each other through the apartment, leaving a trail of rearranged books and toppled knick-knacks, but somehow never breaking anything. There was even a misadventure involving a fly and a lamp; how surprised Bella was when the lamp tipped over, running to hide then carefully investigating the crime scene.

Fifteen Years of Soft Heartbeats: A Legacy of Love

For fifteen wonderful years, Bella was my sweetest companion, the soft heartbeat beside me through every season. The house feels quieter now, but when I pause to notice the beauty around me, I feel her spirit still close by.  

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Thank you for reading! Submissions like these – the “Cat of the Week” and “Kitten of the Month”- are provided by their owners and reflect their individual experiences and practices. The information these submissions share does not necessarily reflect Floppycats’ recommendation or endorsement regarding cat nutrition or care. Always consult a qualified feline nutritionist or veterinarian for personalized advice on your cat’s dietary and health needs. If you want to learn more about species-appropriate nutrition, please visit our cat food page.