RIP Joe Bear (1996-2009)

This morning Joe's dad and I took Joe Bear to the Humane Society in Manhattan, because Joe Bear could no longer keep down food or ambulate. He also seemed to feel discomfort when his favourite region, his belly, was touched. We found out from the vet that Joe Bear had a tumor in his stomach and that it probably grew quite quickly, hence Joe's sudden decline.

Joe Bear was the sweetest living creature that I've ever met. He gave everyone he knew lots of love. As Joe Bear's dad would say, "What a guy!"

Joe Bear we'll miss you so much and love you forever and ever.

Love and belly rubs,

- Mom and Dad

The Bear Is Back In Town

I'm back at home after a long stay at the vet.



I have a bandage on my arm and I'm not feeling good at all. But I am pretty peaceful.



My mom and dad and I are having the last of our cuddles. I know that they love me very much, and I love them lots too.

When I Used To Poop

Once upon a time I pooped. I even pooped in my mom's tree, which, of course, is now my tree.

My mom hopes that I start eating again soon so that I'll start pooping again. Just not in my tree.

Ugg...

I'm still feeling crappy. I'll drink water but I don't want to eat any food.

This makes my mom and dad very upset because they remember when I was such a good eater.

I loved grass:



And Ryvita:



The vet gave me some valium to give me an appetite. It worked for a little while, but I did need some encouragement:



Now that I'm not eating at all my mom and dad give me food using this gigantic scary thing called a syringe. It makes me very scared so I foam at the mouth a lot.

Zen Ball

Before I got sick I decided that my dad's drawing desk is the place to be. I curl up like a ball and become very zen when I chillax there.

I'm a Sick Little Bear

About a month ago I went to the vet with my bear and found out that I'm slightly hyperthyroid, which makes me really finicky about eating, so I've lost some weight.



Last Saturday I stopped eating because I have a low grade infection and definitely need to take medication for my thyroid. I've been hiding because I haven't been feeling well.



Hopefully I'll take a turn for the better with all the meds my mom has to buy for me tonight. She'll even be getting some pills that will stimulate my appetite and whose side effect is drastically increased vocalizing--AKA hilarious video footage is on its way!

Sobering Up

My AFA (Alcoholic Felines Anonymous) sponsor told me that a helpful way to stay sober is to learn a new skill or hobby. I've decided to start doing yoga.

I'm Awesome

I'm a very cuddly fellow. I love all kinds of petting.



I especially love belly rubs.



I love them so much that I will be very patient and wait for a passerby to service me. I let them know that I want a belly rub by being very lady-like and spreading my legs like this:



And like this:

These Paws Weren't Made for Walkin'

My mom and dad think that they're really smart; that it would be a brilliant idea to take me out for a walk.



Clearly they are dumb and I hate walks.



At least my dad comforted me while I was crying.



My mom wasn't helpful at all; she just kept taking pictures.

Drinking Problem

My mom didn't know that I had a drinking problem when she first adopted me.



My mom says that I'll have to enter this six-step program for alcoholic felines and:

1. Admit that I'm powerless over alcohol—that my life has become unmanageable.
2. Believe that a Power greater than myself-and not dry food-can restore my sanity.
3. Make a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God-AKA cat nip.
4. Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself (missing item #1: my balls).
5. Make a list of all persons I have harmed, including mom's red carpet, and become willing to make amends to them all.
6. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, try to carry this message to other alcoholic felines, and to practice these principles in all my affairs, even when I’m tired and want to take a nap.

Scratch Pad Love

My scratch pad is also great for sleeping on.



Being wedged between the bookcase and the ficus, the scratch pad is an intimate place for me to give my bear some love.

Mi Casa

Here is a picture of my new home!



My scratch pad is perfectly positioned so that I can see everything that happens around me, kind of like a rocking chair on an old person's porch.

Meet Joe Bear the Cat

Hello!

My name is Joe. I'm a 13 year-old Russian Blue mix that was rescued from certain death at an NYC animal shelter by Anjellicle Cats. My owner often calls me Joe Bear because I like to lick my little stuffed bear.



My stuffed bear doesn't have a name; I got him from my foster mom and he came with me to my forever home last March.

I'm going to blog about the stuff that happens in my new life with my new adoptive mom, dad, and uncle E.

Love,

-Joe Bear