Wolfie the Wobbly, one year later

In September, after Labor Day weekend, Wolfie will have been a part of our family for a year. The memory of our first encounter is still vivid in my mind. One afternoon in July, I made an unscheduled visit to AniMeals Shelter. Directed to the back office by a staff member, I discovered a small black kitten resting peacefully. To my astonishment, I learned that he was not walking, but rather rolling from side to side. At that moment, I knew I had to have him.

I have always wanted to provide a home for a special needs kitten. My desire was finally fulfilled when I couldn’t wait to bring him home. The prospect of caring for a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia filled me with excitement and anticipation. The following day, I eagerly returned to AniMeals and approached the Director with my request to adopt him.

During my previous visits to the shelter, I had encountered other cats with CH. Unfortunately, they were older and had been given up by their previous owners. I wanted to adopt a kitten. It would grow up alongside our family. It would spend its entire life with the Herd. I believed that the Herd would be more understanding and empathetic toward a younger CH than an older one.

A Dilemma with the Claws

Wolfie’s wobbly nature caused him to scratch and poke me with his claws soon after he came home. More often than usual. Many of them landed on my face, hands, arms, neck, back, and chest. Some of them bled profusely and hurt like paper cuts. I have had my fair share of yelping fits. My clothes end up with bleed spots and smears. It took me a while to figure out how to stop. Wolfie was a young kitten.

Kittens do not know that human hands are not toys. Let a kitten be a kitten. Gently teach them that hands are not for playing. I had to use my hands to handle him, pick him up, and put him down. This was a dilemma for me. I considered clipping his sharp claws. I didn’t want to take away his ability to crawl on the rug. Yet, I couldn’t risk losing my eyesight to his claws. I found claw caps online. They came in different colors. I had to use a towel to restrain while I glued in the caps. After about three months with the caps in place, I noticed fewer scratches. My face gradually returned to its original, unblemished state.

Smooches!

He moves around erratically, like popcorn popping in a pan. I call him Pops. Hey, Pops! Aww, Pops. The name is perfect for him. He gets so excited to see me that he tries to get on his perch. He feels like he is on top of the world when he is on my shoulder. Smooch. I plant endless smooches on his cheeks, forehead, and the back of his neck. Everyday. He is on his perch for his smooches and hugs. He is on the perch observing wherever I am going. I get his heavy purrs and head butts in return. Of all the cats I have had, he is the one I have held the most. He needs that physical stimulation.

A Great Match

Wolfie and the Witch. An unimaginable ideal match. A perfect match that is beyond one’s wildest dreams. The Witch with a pretty face and aligned teeth, hissy fits, and the Sidekick in the wraparound. No broom needed. 

Pleasant Purrs and Drools.