A Tribute to Coco-Bean: How Adopting a Senior Cat Brought Healing, Joy, and Unforgettable Love

Adopt a Senior Pet Month is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary impact older animals can have on our lives. Senior dogs and cats often wait the longest in rescue, yet they have endless love, loyalty, and wisdom to offer. One of the most touching examples of this comes from the story of CoCo-Bean, a remarkable older cat adopted from the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) in Cornwall.

Her journey is an inspiring reminder of the true benefits of adopting a senior pet and the profound bond that can grow when a family opens their heart to an older animal in need.

CoCo-Bean’s Story – Written by Her Family

Discovering CoCo-Bean: A Senior Cat in Need of a Home

We found her on the National Animal Welfare Centre’s website in Hayle. We were bereft having just lost our beautiful seven-year-old lady, Co-Co Rose, from a terrible medical emergency from which there was no recovery.

She stared at me with those great yellow eyes you can see in the picture waiting for a home, as she too had just been bereaved of her owner with whom she had resided for 14 years.

It was love at first sight and I knew we had to have her.

A Nervous Beginning and a Breakthrough

When we met her, she was clearly wondering what had happened, as she had lost her owner and home, and reviewed us with some distrust.

On her first two days, she hid under the sofa and did not eat much (which is quite standard for rehoming cats) but surprised me greatly on the third day by striding out from under the sofa and, just as I was clearing up her food (untouched), demolished it!

This was the turnaround, and in the evenings, she would start to explore the front room where we kept her at night to give her a safe space of her own.

Learning Her Personality and Earning Her Trust

Slowly we started to touch her, but on her own terms, as she was feisty and could be fiery but never hurt us, only let us know when she wanted to be touched and when she did not. Best described as a little love nip!!!

CoCo-Bean was her own ‘little lady’ and soon ruled the roost.

Settling In and Showing Her True Nature

We adopted a routine with her but did not let her out for six weeks, as is recommended for rehomed cats.

She ate well and was very peaceful and comfortable in our home. She loved the sun and found all the sunspots in the house to laze the day away.

She had the most amazing vocals, really a guttural chirp which mimicked a bird, and I wondered if she had perfected this to hunt.

We realised she was a true ‘Cornish Cat’ as she had no fear of seagulls and would sit in the garden observing them on the ground. They seemed to assimilate her also, as they had no fear of her.

Realising She Was an Adventurous Outdoor Cat

We fathomed that she had been predominantly an outside cat as she loved being outside and wanted to go out at night.

After we crossed the six-week threshold, we started to let her out under surveillance and controlled conditions. It was just as well we were cautious, as despite her being obviously elderly and potentially arthritic, she scaled an eight-foot fence to our horror, and we just recovered her in time before she disappeared into our neighbour’s garden.

Establishing Safety, Routine, and Freedom

We began to realise there was much more to this little rascal than we first thought! She learned the rules and did not try this again as we made sure it was not easy for her to do so, as we do live near a busy road and thus wanted her to have the confines of our garden—but as much freedom as we could give her—which turned out to be extensive, as she was able to wander around our huge garden at her pleasure.

Her greatest delight was to wake us up from our dozing on the sofa before bedtime and demand to go out, so this became a routine and she would stay out until we went to bed, smelling the night air and prowling around her night territory.

Returning to NAWT and Building Familiarity

From time to time, she had to return to the NAWT Centre as we were running a business in Leatherhead, where we had moved from, and needed to spend time up there.

She settled in very well and knew the staff and was very comfortable. They were wonderful to her and sent Mum reassuring photos (as per the two attached to this article) so we could be sure of her comfort and contentment.

Growing Closer and Sharing Affection

So, for many months things were wonderful and slowly she was able to give us slightly more freedom to touch and handle her.

She adored my husband, Stephen, and every night would come into the kitchen and demand that he returned to the lounge where she could then cuddle up on the sofa next to him for chin tickles and ear rubs.

We used to call it in jest ‘white chinning’ as she had this amazing ‘white chin’ that you will see in her photo and, when she was really relaxed and asleep, would lift her little white chin skywards.

Moving House and Adjusting to Change

She came with us to a new home in May 25 when we needed to rent the property next door whilst we rewired our entire home.

This was a challenge for us as we were both working full time, but CoCo-Bean settled into the new home and loved the conservatory.

My husband would take her home each evening and let her play in our garden, so she knew she was close to home.

The only issue we had was at night when she would run down the corridor to wake us up and ensure we were there with her. This was testing to be sure, but we were certainly not going to shut her away in a strange house, so made sure we were there for her, however exhausted, with a gentle stroke and ear rub and reassuring words.

A Sudden Diagnosis and a Family Crisis

Our greatest challenge was yet to come.

In June 25, CoCo-Bean went for a normal vet checkup (for which she had regular visits as we were aware she was not a young cat, although not 100% sure of her real age). The vet informed us they had found a heart murmur, although on all other occasions her heart had been normal and had been given a clean bill of health.

We believed her to be a strong cat as she was feisty and resilient, and an excellent eater.

Life-Changing News and a Parallel Battle

We were advised she needed an ECG and a specialist heart vet at the wonderful Animal Vets in Hayle was assigned to do a thorough check.

Whilst we were waiting for this, fate struck again and my husband, Stephen, was struck down by a stroke at the age of 58. This was a terrible shock as he had his own business but somehow, we rallied and got him back on his feet.

CoCo-Bean appreciated having him home more and, in the garden, as the weather was wonderful.

A Heartbreaking Prognosis

We eventually made it to the specialist heart vets in Launceston where Julia, the wonderful vet in charge, had to break some awful news to me as my husband was still in hospital.

The outcome was not what we expected as I have had cats with heart murmurs before that have toddled on without too many issues, but for CoCo-Bean it was sadly a death sentence as she had a rare condition that meant her prognosis was very poor.

Julia had to advise me that we could try medicine to ward off the eventual hour and at this stage, I would have tried anything as we loved her so much.

Caring for Two Loved Ones at Once

Both CoCo-Bean and Stephen went on parallel paths for recovery and/or maintenance, and I was administering similar medicine to both.

We eventually perfected medicating CoCo-Bean with syringes or pill poppers, and she came to tolerate this twice-a-day event with some dignity which surprised us.

During this period, she also became more affectionate, and I am not sure if this is because she was not well and less sure of herself, or if after a year and a half, she was starting to bond with us. We loved her unconditionally either way.

A Summer of Sunshine and Gentle Moments

The C Vets in Truro saved her life when she developed congestive heart failure one very hot day and we are forever grateful to them.

Due to the care our vets took, we gave her the summer as she was able to spend most of it in the garden she loved and had reasonable quality of life notwithstanding.

She was eating well and finding her warm sunny spots, and the medicine helped the symptoms considerably.

A Peaceful Goodbye

The end came quickly, as it was clear in September that the struggle was over, and we have a promise to each other never to let a beloved pet suffer.

She went with love and a peaceful end at C Vets on 23 September at the amazing age of 19, she was in her 20th year, although we did not know this when we took her.

It would have made no difference at all to our selection as we loved her on sight, and we are bereft now.

A Final Poem Chosen for CoCo-Bean

“I’d choose you;
in a hundred lifetimes,
in a hundred worlds,
in any version of reality.
I’d find you and I’d choose you.”

— Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars

God bless, CoCo-Bean. Until we meet again, run free and high and forever in our hearts.

Why CoCo-Bean’s Story Matters for Senior Pet Adoption

CoCo-Bean’s journey is a powerful reminder of the joy, resilience, and deep companionship that older pets bring into our homes. Senior cats like her offer gratitude, calm affection, and profound emotional connection and they deserve the chance to live out their lives surrounded by love.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Our sincere gratitude to CoCo-Bean’s incredible family for sharing this beautiful, emotional tribute. Your story honours her life, highlights the true value of senior pet adoption, and will inspire others to open their hearts to older animals in need.