10/14/2026
Honoring Betty 💔🐾
A video came up in my Google pic memories today that brought back a wave of emotions I couldn't even put into words a year ago. It is time to finally tell Betty’s story. I always wanted to, I just couldn't find the words and I started to several time but couldn't make it the whole way through.
There was a beautiful sweet cat named Betty who I adored and tried so hard to save! This is for you sweet girl!
Last year, late one dark evening after wrapping up a rescue case in Arab, I got word about a new cat at a feeding site in Guntersville who had collapsed and was severely struggling to breathe. The person who found her chose to leave her suffering in the dark, and go home while Betty was lying there struggling every breath.
I immediately rushed to Guntersville upon the news. When I arrived, I found this beautiful girl fighting for her life. I loaded her into my car and met Dr. Wilks at the clinic after hours. He immediately got her started on emergency treatments, X-rays, and helped form an oxygen treatment plan. That entire weekend, I didn't leave her side—monitoring her around the clock and doing breathing treatments several times a day until we could see Dr. Lauren on Monday bc the treatment she received wasn't working.
Over the next month, Betty became my whole world. We tried everything—treatments for potential lungworms, aggressive medications, daily and nightly breathing treatments, and a total of five vet visits. Her X-rays were not improving, they were drastically getting worse.
I laid in bed with her for hours and hours, stroking her fur, telling her how gorgeous she was, and promising her that one day she would be able to breathe without a struggle.
She completely stole my heart. She was only a middle-aged girl with a couple of broken teeth and a heart of gold. Approx 7 to 9 years old
Eventually, I received the heartbreaking news that she had progressive lung cancer, and no amount of medicine could stop it. Making the decision to say goodbye shattered me. Afterall I promised her i was gonna get her well. Even though I couldn't heal her body, now I can take comfort in knowing her final month was wrapped in absolute love, comfort, and safety. She didn't pass away forgotten on the ground; she passed away knowing she was deeply loved and someone who was putting up a heck of a fight for her!!
For a long time, I was too angry and hurt to post about this. I couldn't understand how anyone could walk away from a living soul in distress. But today as tears fall seeing her memories, I want to focus on Betty—her beauty, her resilience, and the unforgettable mark she left on my heart.
Rest peacefully, sweet Betty. You are loved, always. 🌈🕊️
