A kitten with paralyzed hind legs is determined to enjoy life just like any other cat. She lets nothing slow her down.
A feral cat colony caretaker from Arizona rushed a tiny kitten to the vet last month. The tabby was hit by a car when she ran across the street. The accident left her with rear leg paralysis and incontinence.
Pima Animal Care Center took her in and found a temporary foster volunteer to cater to her needs. Despite it all, the kitten named Giselle was remarkably calm the entire time, as if she knew she was in good hands.
The kitten needed a long-term experienced fosterer, so when Danielle, founder of With Grace (in Las Vegas), learned about her plight, she stepped up to help. In early December, Leanne M. who volunteers for SWATT Rescue, flew the kitten from Tucson to Las Vegas to meet with the new foster family.
"It's really amazing what can be accomplished when so many people work together to save a life," Danielle told Love Meow.
"The second I saw Giselle, I knew there was something special about her. She looked up at me with those big eyes and I melted."
Giselle settled into her new abode after a tour around her room. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, the tabby quickly proved that she could move around swiftly using her front legs and chase toys like a pro.
"She is the calmest kitten I think I've ever fostered. She's such a little angel and just goes with the flow. She's impossible not to fall in love with," Danielle shared with Love Meow.
Giselle is very small, weighing only one and a half pounds, but her petite size and disability don't hold her back. The kitten is determined to do everything that other cats do.
"She doesn't know she's any different than any other cat. We are currently teaching her how to use ramps to get up on furniture, so she doesn't feel left out and can go anywhere she wants."
The little wonder kitty insists on getting on the couch by herself and snuggling on a blanket with her foster mom whenever she gets a chance.
Watch the kitten in this cute video:
"When she is not snuggled up with me, she can be seen zooming around the house, playing with toys. It's very interesting to watch her interact with our resident cats (one is paralyzed just like her), because she doesn't force herself on them like typical kittens do."
"She understands they need time to warm up to her and she gives them the space to do that," Danielle told Love Meow. "She is very unique and it's really special to watch her personality."
Due to her paralysis, Giselle doesn't use the litter box and needs some assistance from her humans, a few times a day. "It is super easy to do and only takes a minute. Other than that, Giselle requires no other special care!"
Giselle was fascinated by the Christmas tree when she saw it for the first time. She made a beeline to it and started "inspecting" the branches.
The little tabby doesn't let anything stop her when she sets her mind on something.
"Caring for cats and kittens that are a little different than 'normal' cats is such an inspiring experience. They do not know they are any different and when they set out to accomplish something, nothing can stop them," Danielle shared with Love Meow.
After a rough start, the kitten quickly bounced back. She is now thriving and getting stronger and more rambunctious every day.
She still has a lot of growing to do and feline skills to hone before she is ready to look for the family of her dreams.
The sweet kitty scoots around without a worry in the world.
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