This is Bob's story. Sweet Bob was less than a few weeks old when someone found him huddled up in an alleyway in the middle of winter. The poor guy was just hours away from freezing to death.
Bob's rescuer contacted Meriden Animal Control Rescue Service, who agreed to take in this little lost soul. Staff wrapped Bob in blankets and found him the warmest spot in the shelter.
Wobbly Bob
A few days later, vets decided Bob was strong enough for a full examination. That's when they noticed that Bob struggled to stand up on his own. He was unstable on his tiny legs and would fall over after a couple of steps.
Vets sent Bob for tests and later diagnosed him with Cerebellar Hypoplasia, a brain condition affecting a cat's movement and motor skills. There's no cure for Cerebellar Hypoplasia.
But that wouldn't stop the volunteers at Meriden Animal Control from ensuring that Bob lived his life to the fullest. They promised to never, ever fail this little guy.
Staff took turns syringe-feeding Bob until he was big and strong enough to stand on his own four feet. And they spent hours playing with him, which helped Bob learn how to use and control his body. Play is also an important part of socialisation and builds close bonds between cats and their humans.
Bob now lives with a foster parent with experience caring for special needs cats. She says Bob is doing great and expects him to live a long and happy life.
A little fighter
"He wants to constantly play like a regular kitten," said Bob's foster mom. "He runs around (well, his version of running, LOL) and eats like a champ! He has become our little success story, and we could not be more proud of him."
Next time you tell yourself you can't do something, think about Bob. He's shown us that anything is possible. What a little fighter.
