These are the "Wobbly Kittens", 3 siblings abandoned outside of BARC shelter in Brooklyn. They have a condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia, where the part of their brain that controls motor skills and balance are under developed, and depending on the severity they may have a slight "wobble" or have difficulty getting up at all.
"Jello" (one on the bottom) is now the littest member of my family. (Her siblings have also found wonderful homes!) It was totally unexpected, we already had 5 cats, not to mention various other pets, and had no intention of adding another. But then again, sometimes life simply happens when you least expect it.
My sister was actually the one looking for a kitten, and that Saturday morning we had already gone to the Brooklyn AC&C where we met an adorable kitten named "Tom", who was already put on hold by a rescue (that's a whole another story, should be told by my sister). Disappointed and discouraged, we searched online hoping to find another place that might have kittens and found BARC near by. And that's where we met Jello and her sister Dizzy.
I don't know how anyone could've resisted this tiny little girl who could barely get her feet under her. She was falling all over the place, but she was also purring non stop in my arms and I just fell in love instantly. I went home and read about CH until the wee hours of the night, but I must admit I had a little bit of doubt even right up until the moment I went into the shelter and saw her again. No need to say that the second I saw her again I no longer had any doubts.
Despite how some people feel about her "disabilities" (I've already heard some terrible things, which I'll leave for another day), the only real problem I'm having with her is with potty training. She's smart as a whip and very tidy, but since she is terribly limited with coordination it is difficult for her to get to the paper to relieve herself, or once she does get out of it without soiling herself. I'm not sure if this is something we'll be able to solve completely, but I'm sure we'll be able to work through it somehow.
She has a wonderfully cheerful personality and it's truly amazing to see her totally unaware of her limitations. As far as she's concerned falling over is just a part of life and if she has to fall 10 times to get to the other side of the room then that's just how it'll be. Besides, if she really gets tired and doesn't want to try anymore, then she can always do her sad little meow with her huge green eyes, and mommy will come running in to scoop her up and bring her to wherever she wants :)
Little Munchkin met her baby cousin for the first time today and surprise surprise, she doesn't like kittens! This is the same girl who's met countless cats at the shelter, foster home, was fine with all my boys as soon as she came home, met birds, and even a rat without a problem. Apparently dogs and rambunctious baby kittens make her spitting mad!
