After three of their cats died of old age, the O'Keefe family was heartbroken. Brandy O'Keefe checked the local animal shelter website and found a 13-year-old stray Himalayan cat with no teeth, a broken ear, and a cold. The staff had named her Betty, and she had one day left before being euthanized.
Adoption and First Impressions
Brandy sent her husband, Brian O'Keefe, to see the cat. The warden told him no one had visited Betty. As soon as they opened the cage, the cat catapulted out of her blanket straight at Brian. He picked her up and knew he had to take her home. She settled in immediately, parking herself in front of the fridge as if to say, 'I'm home.' They renamed her Puff Puff, or Puffy, because she was so fluffy.
Health Improvements and Quirks
Puffy's cold cleared up with medicine, but she had recurring ear problems due to its crumpled shape. As her appetite improved, her appearance changed from a dull white coat and light black face to a full lion ruffle with a dark face and beautiful blue eyes. Puffy had unique quirks: she loved chicken and tuna but rejected most cat food, licked salt off McDonald's fries without eating them, pawed at her water before drinking, and hated technology. She would stare or raise a paw to pull down a phone, and lie across a laptop keyboard to block its use.
Companionship During Chemotherapy
Puffy was always there in tough times, especially after Brian's cancer relapse and strong chemotherapy doses. She spent all her time with him: sitting on his lap, lying by his side in bed, and head-butting him. When he went out, she would watch for him at the window. Puffy loved being brushed, and they even filled a transparent Christmas ornament with her loose fur.
Vocalization and Final Days
For a long time, Puffy had no voice and hadn't meowed since adoption. Suddenly, she became vocal, standing in the hallway and 'shouting' with a croak when she wanted food, continuing until fed. Four years after adoption, Puffy developed an abscess and died while purring on their bed. The family was devastated. 'She worked herself into our life and our hearts. We'll never forget her,' Brian said.
