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Alan
I saw Alan on the website from Seal Beach Animal Care Center in southern California and immediately knew he was suppose to be with me. He was about 5 years old. At the shelter he was the sweetest, gentlest soul. After getting him home he quickly embraced my other two cats and me with joy and unconditional love. When I brought another cat home Razzi, Alan immediately took him under his wings. From the moment he first saw Razzi as a little kitten they became fast friends. Razzi would look to Alan for guidance and love constantly. I know Alan knew Razzi was different because he was born deaf. It was so sweet to see Alan tending to him like a big brother. Alan was always such a happy, happy cat even with his severe stomatitis. His vet said he was the worst case he had ever seen in his 25 years of practice. Alan’s month drooled with infection almost constantly. At times it hurt him to eat. But it never put a damper on his love and enthusiasm for life. He could not take the normal steroid shots commonly given to cats with this condition as he had severe reactions. I searched and studied and asked to find answers for natural remedies for him. He did well on these for some time, but his teeth kept getting worst and eventually had to have them removed, which was a good thing because they where black and infected. Sweet Alan did so well for two and half years, but his little immune system had been compromised early in his life. Little did any of us know just how compromised. Alan required vets visits once or twice a month and I had him on several different herbs and natural steroids to help with the inflammation in his gums, mouth and throat. He loved everyone he met and quickly became a favorite at the vet hospital and especially with his vet. Alan would always give Dr. Gordon body rubs and big purrs with every visit. He became everyone’s instant best friend.

Alan has been the only cat I have shared my life with that would kiss me on the mouth, pushing his little wet nose and mouth into my face and insisted on sleeping with his head in my hand, curled up next to my neck on my chest. During his last days when he was so weak he could hardly pick up his head, but he was still able to give all he had to love everyone who was around him. The vets and techs at advanced critical care commented on how very special he was. Alan was with me only 2 ½ half short years, but he filled my life with so much unconditional love that it will fill my life forever. Even though I wished his life with me could have been for many more years, I would not have changed the wonderful moments and love we shared for anything in this world.
Diane Ellis – Costa Mesa, California

Cody
Cody came to Jackie as a very small puppy. He has been her constant companion for 12 years. Though Cody is now blind and deaf he is still a loyal companion and friend to Jackie. She now treasures everyday he is with her.
















Flynn
Flynn was brought in by Animal Control. He was at one time thought to have cancer and we thought we would lose this wonderful, loving little guy in a short time. But after having tumors removed from his neck his health started to improve and he now lives with a former SBACC volunteer in Costa Mesa, CA and her other two loving kitties.









Gracie The Goose
While at a faire in southern California at a regional park, I noticed along the lake there several beautiful geese, many with little babies. I wanted to get closer to see them and offer them some food as others there where doing. I noticed a lone goose standing away from the others and wondered why. When she started to walk I immediately knew why she was by herself. Her left foot was swollen beyond recognition, and she held it high and could barely touch the tip of it to the ground and when she did so it was very painful. I went closer to her to give her some food and could see she was thinner then the other birds. As I threw her food the others ran over and pushed her out of the way. I had someone else distract the other birds by feeding them away from her so I could get a closer look at her foot. I immediately named her Gracie and told her I would be back to get her in a few days after I found out where I could take her to get some care for her foot. I made several phone calls and found a woman who lived in my area who takes in domestic birds. I also made several calls to the park where Gracie lived and after telling them my plans of rescuing Gracie they told me they would help me in whatever way they could. I returned 5 days later. The life guards there had a boat they used on the lakes and they took myself and two other of my friends who came along to help out to the area where I had last seen her. The faire was still in progress and many people had heard about Gracie as some of the lifeguards earlier that day had asked vendors set-up along the lake if they had seen her. Many said they had seen Gracie earlier that day so we knew she was in the area. As we scanned the shoreline in the boat people started yelling out to us asking if we had found Gracie. We finally found her off on a little island alone. We thought she would be easy to capture, but she had other plans. We chased her for 20 minutes via the boat. Several times when we thought she was within our reach she would dive under the water to elude us. Finally one of the life guards jumped from the boat and Gracie again escaped under the water. When she finally re-surfaced the life guard was close enough to grab her. He placed her into my waiting arms and I quickly wrapped her in a towel to keep her calm. On the way home she sat in my lap for a little over an hour. She hardly made a move. I kept a towel loosely over her head and she never once struggled or showed any aggression toward me. She was infested with little bugs because of her health condition which healthy birds do not have. When Terry the women who rescues birds saw her, she just broke into tears. She took Gracie from my arms and held her close to her chest and snuggled her head close to her face giving her little kisses. No doubt the first kisses Gracie has ever had from a human. I donated Anaflora flower essences for birds and a local vet discounted his services for Gracie’s care. After many foot soaks and antibiotics, Gracie’s foot is better, but will never be normal. Gracie is one of the lucky ones. Because of her foot she will need to be with someone who knows how to handle her, so she will live with Terry for the rest of her days.
Diane Ellis-Costa Mesa, CA

Jacob
Jacob came to SBACC as a feral cat. He was never able to fully accept human contact and lived the remainer of his life at the care center where he received love and care from many incrediable humans and made lots of kitty friends along the way. He will always be remembered in our hearts.











Katie Marie





Story to come...









Lauren
Lauren came to the shelter deaf. We don’t know if she was born deaf or suffered from an ear infection. Lauren is a cattle dog mix with pretty tan and white markings. She is a very, very sweet dog and LOVED to play ball, always bringing it back to you and dropping it very nicely at your feet. She also loved to ride in the car. Lauren had some issues when big trucks would pass by while out for a walk, but she soon got over this as her confidence grew stronger. I was lucky and honored to be allowed to work with Lauren to strengthen her understanding of hand signals. She was always such a happy go lucky little girl and I loved sharing time with her. I took Lauren to a deaf school where she delighted the children there as she showed them her vast understanding of several hand signal commands. A few lucky children got to actually work with Lauren one on one. After the presentation, Lauren got to greet each child one by one and she loved and basked in all the attention. Though I had hoped I would one day be able to give Lauren a home with me that never happened as I lived in an apartment not allowing dogs. She did get a wonderful home with a women who loves her uncondtionally. Lauren made a big difference in my life, one I will remember forever.
Diane Ellis – Costa Mesa, California

Linder
It was August 7 when I could no longer tolerate seeing his little broken body struggling. He was bleeding now from his eye and forehead, which I believed came from a swelling inside his eye. I had done my best to care for and love this little cat for the past year but our time together would soon be over.

I brought him into my life a year ago July after seeing him now and then in the neighborhood for a few months. When I first saw him, it looked like he could barely walk. I asked a neighbor about him and she said he belonged to another neighbor a few doors down. I didn’t see him every day, but I began to leave him a bowl of food when he was around my house. Upon closer observation, I saw how badly injured he was. His tail was broken in two places, both his front legs had injuries and were deformed, he was deaf, His eyes were cloudy, the gray fur on his back was matted and tangled, his jaw moved unnaturally when he ate and he could hardly walk. Yet, he allowed me to touch his head and sit by him as he tried to eat.

I was so saddened by the condition of this little cat and angered at whoever did this to him or allowed him to continue suffering like this. I called my vet and asked if I could bring in a badly injured cat for euthanasia. After examining him, however, the vet said he tested negative for rabies and feline leukemia and an x-ray showed he had a serious injury to his spine, causing the problem walking but the vet thought the cat wasn’t in pain. He was an old cat with old injuries, the vet said, but could live more years if he had a home. We can’t fix him, he said. I brought him to my home, which he would share with my other 4 cats. Within a few days, I began to love him and I named him Linder.

It was a challenge to care for him. He could eat only soft canned food, which flew out of his mouth as he shook his head when he chewed. Even using a low litter pan, his back legs couldn’t always make it in and urine went on the floor. His broken tail dragged through the urine and carried it all over the house. His poop couldn’t always come out when he was in the litter box but came out later on carpets and furniture. Even when I hated to spend so much time cleaning up after him, I always loved him and was never angry with him. My young grandson commented that we shouldn’t ever get angry with Linder because he was doing the best he could. Yes, I agreed.

After a few months, I had Linder’s matted fur shaved at the vet’s and he started grooming himself. He so tried to do normal kitty things and everyone who saw him was amazed at how he dragged himself all over the house. But now, as I saw him get weaker and weaker, I had hoped that one day soon I would come home from work and find him dead, laying on the loveseat, one of his favorite places to sleep. It would be a natural death, no needles, no cold, scary doctor’s office. I was so hoping he would die naturally, but he didn’t. And so on August 7, I picked up the little sick, frail bundle and put him in the carrier. The doctor thought there might be a tumor behind his eye, causing the bleeding. He took him into a back room and said his death would be very quick. Through tears, I asked to bring him home with me.

The carrier now held a black plastic wrapped package and I knew it was Linder. No more watching that little creature try to get around. He suffered so much in his life. I will never know what happened to him. I think of him as a tiny kitten and the tragedy and pain that would unfold in his life. I hope I gave him a bit of contentment. He did seem to like to lay on my lap, although it was so difficult for him. I wish I had held him on my lap more. I think now that it wasn’t so hard to take care of him. I wish I had brought him into my house when I first saw his little broken body. I miss him so much.

I dug a hole in the yard close to my front bedroom window and laid the black package of Linder in it. Later, my grandson and I made a concrete marker with Linder’s name to put there. We will always remember little Linder.
Bonnie Hess-West Palm Beach, Florida

Peaches
When Peaches was born her caretakers noticed she was different but did know why. She was later found to have been born deaf. She lives in Washington state with loving caretakers who treasure her presence in their lives. Read about Peaches in Testimonials.












Princess Louise
Louise came into the shelter on a hot July day, full of fleas and dirt. Her sad expression in her eyes spoke a million words, ones we have seen so many times before. Under that peach and white long fur, we could see the status of a beautiful princess. She had the biggest paws we have ever seen and told her she must be the world’s best mouser. We bathed her without her making a peep, as though she knew we where helping her. My heart went out to her. I could not get Louise off my mind and would visit her often at the shelter. Then one day she was having problems breathing and she was rushed to one of our local vets where she was diagnosed with the advanced stages of progressed heart disease and kidney failure. When we asked our vet how long she thought Louise would be with us, she told us, “every day Louise is with us, is a gift”. We knew Louise did not have long and I made the decision to take her for whatever that gift of time would be. She turned out to be quite the princess and made her status well known to all who came within her space. Her favorite toys where strings. She came to sleep with me every night always touching my face with one of her big paws before we both fell asleep. I made a step stool for her to get onto the bed as she had trouble jumping. She would become at times, very difficult to medicate. But through lots of love, patience and understanding we would eventually get through what was needed each day. Louise had several months of good health despite her medical conditions and we showered her with lots of love and attention. Every day I would tell her to please not cross over unless I was with her. I didn’t want her to be alone. Louise would never let my emotions go too far with getting too sentimental and when I did, she would brush me aside with her stern, strong, confident demeanor. I know this was her way of preparing me for what lay ahead. Louise was very fond of going outside and I got her used to a harness even though she thought it quite undignified. I think the pretty pink color won her over. She would wait at the door morning and night, letting me know with her meows to “hurry up”. Almost six months had come and gone and Louise’s health conditions where starting to take a toll on her, and she started to grow thin and weak, but she never missed her morning and evening outings. She honored my request of not passing without my presence and one evening as I came home from work, she greeted me for the very last time, as she always had done by walking over to me after I had come through the door, meowing to go for her walk. I set everything in my arms on the floor as usual to grab her pretty pink harness I kept on the door knob and we went for our evening walk. Upon our return I scooped her up and placed her on her pillow on the patio in the sun while I made her dinner, which was our normal routine after our walk. As I looked from the kitchen to check on her I could see she was having problems standing and I knew in my heart the time had come. I gently gathered her into my arms and as we looked into each others eyes one last time for just a few moments, she took three deep long breaths and passed from my life, peaceful and loved, as I ever so gently handed her back into God’s waiting arms. And though Louise was with me only a short 6 months, I would not have changed that time with her for anything in this world. She taught me strength in love and patience in caring for another divine living being.
Diane Ellis – Costa Mesa, California

Quinn
Quinn's story started out sad, but ended in a beautiful story. He was brought in to SBACC by a young lady who said he dad would no longer let them bring Quinn into the house. Quinn was blind from a serious unattended eye infection in both eyes. A wonderful volunteer took Quinn into her home and he was the joy of her life. He even had his very own body guard name "Poppy" another kitty that lived there and he would walk beside Quinn and would help him get to his food bowls, litter box, Barbara's bed, the couch and anywhere else he wanted to go. Poppy became Quinn's eyes. It was the most beautiful thing to watch.




Roxie
Roxie is truly a master teacher. She has taught me many things about observation, looking at the whole picture, watching for small changes, loyalty and intuition.

She came to me in 2001; pregnant with her 3^rd foal. A lean,stately, grey Paso Fino; she has beautiful amber eyes and an air about her that gets her the nick name… The Grand Dame….

We developed a deep kinship during the first year. She is very complex in nature. Born with a weak constitution; I struggled to find ways to make her more comfortable. During these times she brought many new wonderful people into my life and hers. Through her I grew into my life as it is now. She brought people into our lives with skills and energies that have had a profound effect on us both. It is because of her complex nature I now am a Reiki Master, have a solid working knowledge of homeopathy and have gone on to become an Equine Acupressure Practitioner and am teaching Equine Acupressure to others.

Roxie’s favorite job is to teach and help me teach others, she loves to be the “demo” horse during Acupressure Clinics. Her whole demeanor changes when students are working on her.

Roxie has many deep layers of emotional and physical pain. She continues to challenge me; looking and seeking answers.

Diane has been able to connect with Roxie in a way no other person has. Roxie trusts Diane and will open up to her (a first!). She has come into our lives at just the right time and we are both enjoying knowing her. Her unconditional kindness and love for the animals is amazing. Roxie and I both thank you Diane!
Mikki Kison – Ritzville, WA

Simon
Simon was injured when hit by a car and suffered spinal injury that led to paralysis of his hind legs. Surgery was performed by a noted veterinary neurologist in an attempt to repair spinal damage and restore Simon's ability to walk. Attempts were, unfortunately, unsuccessful, even following a rigorous daily physical therapy routine. The tail was amputated at the time of the other surgery in order to stabilize the spine. Subsequent to surgery, as the nerves healed, Simon experienced severe muscle and nerve spasms which caused excruciating pain. When these pain episodes would hit, always without warning, I treated him with prednisone, butorphenol, and the herb scullcap. Of the three, scullcap worked wonders! It relaxed Simon and relieved the severity of the spasms. Happy to say that after 8 months of on again-off again pain episodes, Simon is today a happy, pain-free cat. He's a paraplegic but enjoys a zest for life that constantly amazes us. He moves around the house, is fully continent of bowel and bladder, and uses a low-sided litterbox. I can personally attest to the wonders of scullcap.
Bob & Diane Guyett – Long Beach, California

Simon Makes his transition - June 2008
Simon crossed Rainbow Bridge one week ago today. He seemed well and happy but suddenly collapsed in the early morning hours, unable to sit up. We rushed him to emergency but had to let him go in the afternoon; he had congestive heart failure and was throwing clots. He was a very sick little guy. When I had my last visit with him, he was blind (they believe a clot to the brain) but he replied to my voice - I know he heard and knew me, my smell, my touch and my kisses. He was so weak. Murlyn had always taken care of him when we traveled. Fortunately I was able to get in touch with her and she was with me to say goodbye.It's been really tough on us and the remaining three cats are at a loss. Cody especially misses Simon and Mouse. Having lost two beloved pets in less than 5 months has been devastating. And both left us so suddenly.
It was a humbling honor and great privilege to have this amazing little guy with us for 5 years. In any other shelter he'd have never been given a chance. He taught me a little more patience and humility and how to accept life on life's terms and stay positive. I have his and Mouse's urns side by side in my china cabinet, with their photos and paw prints, where I can see them every day. And when I open the glass door, the lovely smell of cedar greets me, reminding me that both of them are back in the beauty of Nature and the best part for Simon is that now he's able to run, jump and play on four legs again. Just picturing that brings joy to my heart.
Bob & Diane Guyett – Long Beach, California

"The special needs ones are always the hardest to let go. They absolutely touch out lives in very special ways.  They are the true teachers of patience, humility and acceptance. "

Sunkist

Sunkist as a tiny kitten came to SBACC through a loving volunteer while she was visiting in Catalina Island. This volunteer would go to Catalina Island and volunteer time and money to help the animals there. Sunkist grow to be a beautiful big orange kitty. Sadly he developed at a very young age renal kidney failure. He was loved and cared for by  many wonderful volunteers at SBACC and will always be remembered for his incrediable sweet personality.  








Sweetie
Not too long after I started volunteering at a local pro-life animal shelter, a pair of cats who had been together all their lives were returned. The owner said she could no longer care for them. She stated had never been able to touch the female. Neither of cats were in great shape but under the care of the shelter people, they improved. The female, Sweetie, was terrified and clung to her mate, Julian, for comfort and reassurance. They had no idea why they were suddenly living in a different place but they had each other and that made it better. A few days later, the woman returned and decided she wanted Julian back. I will spare you the details of how it happened but she was given Julian back and poor Sweetie was left behind, terrified and alone.The volunteers were very concerned for her welfare. She hid all the time and wasn’t eating very well. She became my personal “mission” I brought her turkey and baby food to coax her in to eating. She would eat the food but only after I was far enough away from her for her to feel safe. As time went by, she improved a little, made new ‘friends” and settled back in to shelter life. She was still frightened of people and wouldn’t let anyone touch her.My prayers were answered when a woman who had just moved to California from Texas came in looking for a “special needs” cat to adopt. She and Sweetie hit it off so Sweetie went to her new home. Her new Mom traveled and I was able to pet sit for her and still see this beautiful cat that had touched my heart. She did well in her new home but still wasn’t a lap cat. She did make progress and would sit on the back of the couch or sleep with her Mom, if she was certain she was asleep. Life was good. Then, her Mom got engaged and was preparing to move back to Texas. She told me she could not take Sweetie. I knew she could not go back to the shelter so I decided to bring her home with me and see if she would fit in with my other cats.Before I brought her home, she went to the vet for a complete physical, grooming, etc. When I picked her up, she was still groggy from the anesthetic so I was able to pet her and brush her and kiss her, something I had wanted to do for years! I spent the night in the den with her so she would feel safe. In the morning, I could still pet her and attributed it to the anesthetic but I took full advantage of it! After about a week, I decided her new demeanor was not due to anesthetics but trust. Sweetie had finally found a human she was comfortable with. She has been with me for two years and is a very different cat. She loves to be brushed and touched. She talks up a storm! She doesn’t hide from people and will even let a few other people touch her. Life is good again.Sweetie always knew she was my cat; it just took me longer to figure it out. Thankfully, she has patience.