[Vision2020] Caturday (October 12, 2013)

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the Huffington Post at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-pet-collective/disabled-kitten-uses-walker_b_4044194.html

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Disabled Kitten Uses Walker to Take First Steps
It was unsure if Thumper, a white kitten with black spots, would ever walk, but once he took his first step, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

Thumper was homeless and abandoned in a yard. There were three litters stranded in the bushes left to die. Nine kittens were saved that day by PACT, including Thumper.

PACT -- People and Cats Together is a nonprofit rescue organization that has been on a mission rescuing cats, spaying, neutering and finding homes for kittens. They have been rescuing animals for years, but Thumper was a unique case.

Thumper could not keep up with his litter mates. He was falling behind. He couldn't walk or even stand. His back legs were not strong enough to support him. He would get around by crawling and dragging his body across the floor. He wanted so badly to play with the other kittens, but his legs prevented him from being able to.

PACT took him to the vet and Thumper was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder. He was born with the disease and there was no cure. It is simply that some cats recover and others do not. The vet did not know if Thumper would ever walk. 

If PACT had not rescued Thumper from the yard that day, there is no way Thumper would have survived. He would have been prey, or hit by a car, or even worse ... he would not even have been able to move to find food or shelter.

PACT rescuer Jane and Thumper's foster mom Anita brainstormed together to figure out ways to help Thumper rehabilitate, so he could live his life like a regular kitten. The odds of finding a home for a disabled cat would be significantly lower than a healthy one. PACT came up with an idea to have a special walker constructed to help strengthen Thumper's legs. Some people were skeptical that Thumper could recover this way, but once Thumper was given the little extra help he needed, he took his first steps.

Thumper was walking faster every day. His legs grew stronger. Soon he was running with the help of his walker. After two weeks of therapy, Thumper had proved all his doubters wrong. A cat has never been so determined to walk before. Soon, he didn't even need it and could stand on his own.

Now, nothing is stopping Thumper. He doesn't use the walker. Thumper plays with his litter mates like all the others. He tackles them, and chases after strings and feathers. He doesn't seem to get tired. He jumps up on laps and loves all the extra love and attention that he gets for being special. Thumper is an inspiration. He was resilient. He just wanted to be like every other cat, and he is! Now, Thumper runs like any other cat, but with a little extra swagger. It would be impossible to know that Thumper was unable walk when he was first rescued, but that's what makes him extraordinary.

Thumper is currently up for adoption and waiting to run, jump, play and be loved in a home somewhere special. If you're in the Southern California area and interested in adopting Thumper, check out his adoption profile on PetFinder.

Do you have a Tail of Hope or Survival? We'd love to hear it! Visit us at thepetcollective.tvand tell us your story!

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still 
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill 
If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon
  
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