Adopting a “Special Needs” Friend
In October of 2015, my veterinarian’s office posted pictures
of a tiny orphaned newborn kitten on their Facebook page. The kitten clung to
life by the thinnest of threads as the veterinarians and technicians fought
around the clock to save him. I posted
encouragements in the comments with each update, imploring the kitten to pull
through. For many weeks they were not sure if the kitten would survive so they
didn’t name him, instead just calling him “Mousey” since he resembled a little
grey mouse.
As the tiny kitten started to grow, I shared his pictures
and updates with my “kitten cam chat friends”. They asked if I would try to
adopt him if he survived and in fact, I already expressed my interest in
adopting him to my veterinarian. My veterinarian knows me very well as I’ve
brought my pets there for many years and, at a minimum, they have annual
checkups. Currently, this includes four Animal Friends Of Connecticut cats that
were “long term inmates” at the AFOC shelter before I adopted them. I am
fortunate that I have a large enough house for them and can financially care
for them.
When the kitten was two months old, my veterinarian’s office
announced they were taking applications should the kitten survive. Then they
announced that the kitten has a severe case of a birth defect called Cerebellar
Hypoplasia (CH) and that all applicants needed to attend a “meet and greet”
with one of the veterinarians to better understand what the kitten’s special
needs actually entailed. CH is also known as “wobbly cat syndrome”.
This was the first time I’d ever heard about this defect as
many of these kittens are euthanized. Fortunately, the internet is an
incredibly powerful tool for research and to reach out to others that know
about this disorder. My kitten cam chat friends quickly put me in contact with
friends of theirs that cared for, and are guardians of, CH cats. One of them
added me to a Facebook group for people that have CH cats and dogs so I could
post questions and receive advice. I learned as much as I could about
Cerebellar Hypoplasia as I could.
I am a volunteer for Animal Friends Of Connecticut and
mentioned the CH kitten to the former AFOC shelter director, Barbara. She
quickly urged me to contact another volunteer, Pat, that I knew from the AFOC
shelter and events but never knew she had CH cats. I had a long conversation
with Pat after which I had some soul searching to do. I wondered if I would be
the best guardian for the kitten considering what a commitment this would be. Not
only did the kitten have CH, he has a severe case and would most likely never
be able to walk. He would need help eating and using his litter box. After
great introspection, I made the decision to submit my application for the
kitten and was selected to be his guardian. I took all the precautions
necessary for a CH cat which are very similar to “baby proofing” a house for an
infant human.
I brought “Mousey” home on January 8th, 2016 and
named him “Pepino” after a silly song I would listen to over-and-over as a
child: Pepino the Italian Mouse by Lou Monte. So many of my friends and people
from the veterinarian’s office were interested in updates so I opened a
Facebook page for the kitten (Pepino the CH Kitten).
Finally in a forever home,
little Pepino thrived and quickly gained weight. My veterinarian gave me a
“walker” she made for him and I’ve made others to fit him as he grew. He
learned to use a real litter box though he falls over in it from time-to-time
requiring I give him baths. I hold him as he eats so he doesn’t fall over. His
food dishes are soft silicone so he doesn’t chip his teeth. At first, my other
cats were afraid of him because he didn’t move normally but have become
accustom to him and actually play with him.
Pat, and other CH guardians, told me about the special bond
that forms between a guardian and a severe CH cat and they are right. I have
strong bonds to all my “cubs” but Pepino is different. It’s a lot of work but I
hardly notice anymore. Pepino has no idea he’s disabled or even different. He
plays, wants to snuggle in the lap, he purrs when I pick him up, and reaches
out with his little paws when he sees me.
In a way, it was time for me to adopt a special needs pet.
Barbara often thanks me for adopting what she calls “hard to place” cats from
AFOC. It took some time but each one “blossomed” once in their forever home.
Fiona, once terrified of people, now runs and plays around the house and sleeps
next to me. Dottie has socialized and become a member of “The Pride Cubs”.
Betsy and Josie are very happy they were adopted and show their gratitude each
day.
There are many wonderful companions in shelters that just
need a chance, a little understanding, and some time to adjust. The best thing
is there are lots of free resources online and amongst our friends to help us
all understand how to introduce a new pet to the family or the requirements of
a special needs pet. For example, blind cats do just fine so long as you don’t
move the furniture and other things around often. Cats with missing legs can
adapt and live happy lives too. Just look up “Lil’ Bunny Sue Roux”, a cat born
without front legs that gets around just fine “kangaroo style” and has become
an internet sensation. Even mild to moderate CH cats do great with simple
accommodations such as a high-sided litter box.
Many “special” pets can live as long a life as a “normal”
pet. In many cases, adopting one can be a 20 year commitment. It’s easy to want
to adopt a kitten as cute as Pepino was, overlooking his special needs and what
that entails. The most important thing was learning as much as I could about
his needs and the commitment I was making. For me, the rewards far outweigh his
special needs. It is a commitment I was ready to make and I haven’t regretted
it for even a second since.
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