Bear

Blind Cat Rescue

and Sanctuary, Inc.

Approximate Age (As of 2021): 15 years old Breed: Manx Status: FIV+ Date Arrived: 2012 You can read more about FIV here Bear came to BCR after his owner died. A rescue came and helped them place all the pets in homes, but Bear, having feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was struggling to find a home. We were contacted and asked if we could take him. Bear is a big, cuddly cat. If you couldn’t tell from his pictures he kind of looks like a teddy bear hence his name. He gets along really well with the other cats and loves playing and laying out on the patio.

Sponsored by John - Thank you! Sponsored by James - Thank you! Sponsored by Ginny - Thank you! Sponsored by Brent - Thank you! Sponsored By Sara- Thank you! Sponsored by Elizabeth - Thank you! Sponsored by Mary in memory of Boy Cat 12/26/85) - Thank you! Sponsored by Nancy - Thank you! Sponsored by Bhavana - Thank you! Sponsored by Sheryll - Thank you! Sponsored by Margaret - Thank you!

Dear supporters, I don't even know where to start. Our sweet huggable Bear has passed the rainbow bridge. Those who watch tours may have noticed he has slowed down over the past year. Which is expected since he was between 18 to 19 years old. Bear has been very healthy for his age. His only major complications were his spondylosis and arthritis. We've been managing his pain with medication and laser therapy over the past year and a half. He had a noticeable difference in his quality of life after starting laser therapy. He moved around more, and his bowel issues subsided. Visitors and those online hardly believed us when we said how old he was because of how bright-eyed he was. Yesterday, Bear pretty much snoozed all day which we noted but was normal for him on cold days. This morning we fed him in bed. When a staff member went to give his morning meds she noted that he seemed to be in pain. I went to look at him and I agreed. His back was bothering him. I spent some time massaging his back and stretching his back legs. It was cold and we figured he was stiff and had a "tweak" in his back. We gave him some anti- inflammatory medication and I ran to Walgreens to get him an electric heating pad. I wrapped his lower half and continued to massage his lower back. He started to make biscuits and was able to fully stretch his back legs out. We notified his sponsors this morning because we were doing all this on our 24/7 hour live camera and also stated he would be going to the vet Monday to receive a laser treatment, an X-ray, and possibly some acupuncture. The staff were truly amazing and were checking on him every ten minutes to make sure he was comfortable. A staff member went to start grooming room 1 cats and noticed a slight twitch in his back legs and came to get me. His breathing was normal, gums were pink, so I went to check and stretch him again but this time he was laid back about it. I picked him up and he could not hold his body weight when I tried to get him to stand. He wasn't protesting in pain at all. Something was seriously wrong. I asked Alana to come see him for herself before I started to take him to the emergency vet. We both looked at each other wanting to be hopeful that it was just a bad day for his back. He was in pain and was barely able to walk. He needed his pain and for the decline to end. From Alana: Sweet Bear was my 2nd FIV that came to BCR. His owner had died and apparently, many outside cats needed a home. A rescue was helping them place all the cats but no one would take a FIV+ kitty. The rescue said he was such a sweet loving cat and deserved a chance at life. And they sure were right. Bear loved all cats and all humans. If you came to visit he would stand up on your legs and ask to be hugged and loved on. He would cuddle with all the cats, he was just the most amazing loving kitty. Today Sam had to make the heartbreaking decision that it was time to let him go. And she was kind enough to let me take the last walk with him and keep my promise to him. I had promised him 13 years ago that he would never lose a home again and I would be with him at the end. I kept that promise. He went quietly over the rainbow bridge held in my arms for the last time. I know he has so many friends who will be waiting for him and happy to see him. We are all about quality of life and dignity in death. Go one day early and not suffer, then days later and suffer. I am so sorry, Sam

2/3/2024

Bear

Approximate Age (As of 2021): 15 years Breed: Manx Status: FIV+ Date Arrived: 2012 You can read more about FIV here Bear came to BCR after his owner died. A rescue came and helped them place all the pets in homes, but Bear, having feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was struggling to find a home. We were contacted and asked if we could take him. Bear is a big, cuddly cat. If you couldn’t tell from his pictures he kind of looks like a teddy bear hence his name. He gets along really well with the other cats and loves playing and laying out on the patio.

Sponsored by John - Thank you! Sponsored by James - Thank you! Sponsored by Suzanne - Thank you! Sponsored by Ginny - Thank you! Sponsored by Sara - Thank you!

Sponsored by Mary in memory of Boy Cat 12/26/85) - Thank you! Sponsored by Nancy - Thank you! Sponsored by Bhavana - Thank you! Sponsored by Sheryll - Thank you! Sponsored by Margaret - Thank you!

Sponsored by Elizabeth - Thank you!

Dear supporters, I don't even know where to start. Our sweet huggable Bear has passed the rainbow bridge. Those who watch tours may have noticed he has slowed down over the past year. Which is expected since he was between 18 to 19 years old. Bear has been very healthy for his age. His only major complications were his spondylosis and arthritis. We've been managing his pain with medication and laser therapy over the past year and a half. He had a noticeable difference in his quality of life after starting laser therapy. He moved around more, and his bowel issues subsided. Visitors and those online hardly believed us when we said how old he was because of how bright-eyed he was. Yesterday, Bear pretty much snoozed all day which we noted but was normal for him on cold days. This morning we fed him in bed. When a staff member went to give his morning meds she noted that he seemed to be in pain. I went to look at him and I agreed. His back was bothering him. I spent some time massaging his back and stretching his back legs. It was cold and we figured he was stiff and had a "tweak" in his back. We gave him some anti-inflammatory medication and I ran to Walgreens to get him an electric heating pad. I wrapped his lower half and continued to massage his lower back. He started to make biscuits and was able to fully stretch his back legs out. We notified his sponsors this morning because we were doing all this on our 24/7 hour live camera and also stated he would be going to the vet Monday to receive a laser treatment, an X-ray, and possibly some acupuncture. The staff were truly amazing and were checking on him every ten minutes to make sure he was comfortable. A staff member went to start grooming room 1 cats and noticed a slight twitch in his back legs and came to get me. His breathing was normal, gums were pink, so I went to check and stretch him again but this time he was laid back about it. I picked him up and he could not hold his body weight when I tried to get him to stand. He wasn't protesting in pain at all. Something was seriously wrong. I asked Alana to come see him for herself before I started to take him to the emergency vet. We both looked at each other wanting to be hopeful that it was just a bad day for his back. He was in pain and was barely able to walk. He needed his pain and for the decline to end. From Alana: Sweet Bear was my 2nd FIV that came to BCR. His owner had died and apparently, many outside cats needed a home. A rescue was helping them place all the cats but no one would take a FIV+ kitty. The rescue said he was such a sweet loving cat and deserved a chance at life. And they sure were right. Bear loved all cats and all humans. If you came to visit he would stand up on your legs and ask to be hugged and loved on. He would cuddle with all the cats, he was just the most amazing loving kitty. Today Sam had to make the heartbreaking decision that it was time to let him go. And she was kind enough to let me take the last walk with him and keep my promise to him. I had promised him 13 years ago that he would never lose a home again and I would be with him at the end. I kept that promise. He went quietly over the rainbow bridge held in my arms for the last time. I know he has so many friends who will be waiting for him and happy to see him. We are all about quality of life and dignity in death. Go one day early and not suffer, then days later and suffer. I am so sorry, Sam

2/3/2024