Photo courtesy aigarius.

By grown-up bed, I mean one that consists of more than a mattress and box spring on the floor. One that has legs, a headboard, and – dare I imagine – a fancy comforter that makes me feel like I’m living in a hotel or a magazine.

But to be honest, I’m willing to give up all of that.

After adopting CG and later Ellie, I came to the realization that when it comes to beds, lower is better – not to mention that any comforter I own would be peppered with claw holes immediately and ripped apart eventually.

Such is the life of someone living with cerebellar hypoplasia cats. Or so I thought.

But I’ve learned that my solution to this overall issue isn’t the only choice. In fact, there are many options available to folks who do have a “grown-up” bed and want to accommodate their CH cats, too.

This realization happened the other day when Dori posted on Facebook:

“Need some suggestions. We have a very high bed and the kitties love coming in for a kitty snuggle fest… Problem is, Charlotte is constantly wanting to get down to explore or do her thing. She has a tendency to fall and fly across the floor and I’m fearful she’s going to hurt herself. It makes for an unrestful night because we are always listening for her. I could use pillows on the floor but is there anything else besides $50 worth of pillows I could use? I hate to ban them from the room but I’m considering.”

The trouble is, how do we enable our special needs cats to get on and off our beds safely?

The community was quick to come to Dori’s aid. A number of people offered great suggestions, and it made me realize that I’m not the only one dealing with a similar issue – not to mention finding ways to come up with solutions.

So let’s say you have a “grown-up” bed, which from now on is going to be called what it is: A bed. How do you accommodate your CH cats? Here are a number of solutions:

Photo courtesy pj_in_oz.

If your cat has a favorite landing spot, consider laying a padded mattress topper, folded comforter, or dog bed in the area. That way your cat’s landing will be padded.

However, that may or may not work, depending on your cat’s personality. Some cats will welcome the padding. Others will be curious or suspicious and avoid it. Still others will decide they don’t want to jump off that way any more and will decide on a new route, mid-leap (or slide/fall – depending on your cat’s ability).

To cut back on your cat’s number of exit options, one idea is to push the bed into a corner of the room, which limits the number of sides your cat can choose to jump off.

But sometimes even that may not be enough. Even if it does work, those ideas focus only on how to safely help a cat off your bed, not how to empower him to get on your bed on his own.

One solution that accommodates both scenarios is to place an ottoman, set of doggy stairs, or a ramp on one side of your bed. While your cat may be hesitant at first, with a little training she’ll learn to use them.

In our home, we have a small cylindrical cat condo next to our bed. It’s only about a foot high, so it’s a good “step” for our cats when they want to get on or off our bed. If you have a taller bed, slightly taller cat condos may be helpful.

And of course, you could always go my route: Put the mattress and box spring on the floor. This may not be the most ideal solution, but it is the lowest solution.

Photo courtesy Yiping Lim.

That said, “low” can mean very different things. When Matt and I moved in together, we each brought two twenty-something mattress sets to our marriage. About a year in, we decided to splurge for a new mattress set. We were thrilled, but soon realized the new mattress set was several inches taller than what the cats were used to. Consequently, they started to climb onto the bed more often – as well as asked to be pulled up.

We’ve inhibited their ability to get on and off somewhat, but they’re good sports.

One best practice I’ve learned from my own day-to-day, is that carpeting on the floor around your bed can be essential. It provides a secure, somewhat padded landing spot. And if a cat’s plans of getting off the bed do go south, at least there’s a little something between them and the floor.

Without a doubt, this will be a work in progress. Even if I don’t ever have a “grown-up” bed, I do want to make sure that our cats can safely maneuver their ways on and off our bed.

How have you helped your CH cat get on or off of your bed? Please share in the comments!

As I sit here reflecting on how well things are going, I can’t help but think part of that success is thanks to our cats. (I know, I know, obligatory post about how our cats have impacted some aspect of my life.)

Matt & me, June 18, 2011.

Well, anyway, it’s the truth.

Living with CH cats changes you. It helps you understand limitations; dream up ways to get around those limitations. It grants you opportunities to grow unlimited patience, especially when confronted with another’s need. It’s made me more considerate, more appreciative. Life is less about stuff, and more about experiences together.

I think all of those lessons have contributed to who I am as a woman, cat mom, daughter, sister, friend, and today, most importantly, wife.

I know I still have a long way to go personally, but in the past few years my little family has had a profound impact on my life. I know without a doubt that they’re all blessings from God. They’re in my life to change me for the better, and I see that happening every day.

So happy anniversary to my little family – specifically Matt. The past two years have been incredible, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

It was a legitimate and concerning question I posed to my husband a few months back. Luckily for him, it had never come up. After giving blood platelets one day, he was presented with the opportunity to learn which blood type he had. He was holding the envelope that held the answer, and while I was eager to find out which type he had, I was hoping I’d never need to share it.

Photo courtesy eaghra

That said, emergencies happen. You never know when you’ll need to know your blood type – or for that matter your cat’s. So I started to look into cat blood types, their giving and receiving blood, and more. Here’s what I found:

While humans can have one of eight possible blood types, cats can only have one of three: A, B, and AB. Most cats (about 94-99%) have type A, but this can vary by breed:

• Type A: Most non-pedigreed cats, as well as American Shorthairs, Siamese and other Oriental breeds
• Type B: Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, and about 15 percent of Persian and Abyssinian cats
• Type AB: It’s rare, but it has been found across a number of breeds

Unlike humans, there is no universal donor when it comes to cat blood types. If a cat receives a blood transfusion, the donated blood must be of the same type, otherwise a potentially fatal reaction can occur.

Consequently, knowing your cat’s blood type can be essential when your cat is having surgery or giving birth.

If a kitten is born with a different blood type than his mother, there could be serious complications. In a mother cat’s milk there are antibodies that protect against other blood types. By drinking her milk, a newborn kitten’s blood cells could be destroyed by the mother’s antigens. Some researchers believe this may be the cause behind “fading kittens.”

To protect kittens born with a different blood type, some suggest to bottle-feeding them for the first couple of days. Speak to your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns.

The good news is that you can find out your cat’s blood type. There are many ways you can go about finding out, from purchasing a genetic test for your cat, to asking your cat’s breeder (if your cat was bred), since they should have it on file. Of course, vet clinics are quick to figure out your cat’s blood type in case of an emergency, too.

And what if you’d like your cat to give back? He can.

Photo courtesy crispichikin.

While it may seem a little funny, cats can donate blood. Granted it’s in smaller amounts than obviously humans or even dogs, but the fact is that some cats need blood transmissions.

Fortunately, donating blood isn’t painful to a cat, but there are more risks involved in a cat donating blood than a human or dog. That said, it’s important to weigh any and all risks prior to volunteering your cat.

During the procedure, the cat is sedated. The process only lasts a few minutes, and usually the cat can go home the same day.

While there’s a great deal of information out there about volunteering your cat to give blood, be sure to speak to your veterinarian to find out more.

Does your cat donate blood? How does he do with the process? Please share in the comments!

While there are a number of toys out there that you can purchase, create for free, and make into new, improved toys, sometimes it’s nice to know what other CH cats like to play with.

So here’s a suggestion from Paige, who’s the pet parent to Mister Wobbles. Since he has moderate to severe cerebellar hypoplasia, it was important for her to find him a toy that he could play with while laying down. The winning option? The Bergan Turbo Track Cat Toy – with a twinkle ball, of course.

“We have this kitty track toy that Mister Wobbles absolutely loves – it’s by far his favorite toy,” Paige says. “He is able to do all of the playing while laying down, so it has worked out really well for him.”

“We also purchased a separate ball for it – one that flashes and lights up when it’s touched, and I think this makes for a huge ‘upgrade’ on the toy, as he loves the flashing light. We also ordered a catnip ball for it (but it’s a little too small, so sometimes he knocks it out of the track). We now have the track set on a plush rug, which is nice because it keeps it in place and it doesn’t slide around on the floor when Mister Wobbles plays.”

What a great idea, Paige! And I love how they placed the track toy on the rug, so they toy stays in place, and so Mister Wobbles can be more comfortable and have greater traction!

Have you found ways to modify a regular cat toy into one that meets your cat’s needs? Please share in the comments!

Photo courtesy Marisa | Food in Jars.

This is a post to work past that. Brush up on these conversation topics – you never know when they’ll come in handy at your shelter, when chatting with a friend about rescue, or even while visiting with your vet. Some are good practices when filling out a cat’s profile online, some work well when chatting with potential adopters in person, and others apply to both scenarios.

So where do you start?

The first step is to get to know the cat really well. Spend time with him to understand his abilities and limitations, experiment with ways to help him, and get to know his personality. If the cat was fostered, speak with his foster parent and learn as much as you can about the cat.

This simple, but essential step will take your conversation from:

“This is Wobbles. He wobbles when he walks. He seems to do OK.” to:

“This is Wobbles. He was born with a condition called cerebellar hypoplasia that impacts his fine motor skills, but he doesn’t let that stop him! He’s six-months-old, and in the time I’ve known him, he’s become much more capable. He used to have trouble using the litter box, but now he’s a pro. He loves playing with sparkle balls, and does really well if he has carpet to walk on.”

The difference is you don’t want the cat to be known for only his condition, but for his personality, accomplishments, and what he’s done in spite of being differently abled.

That way, you’ll be able to write an engaging profile online or chat passionately about this cat with potential adopters. Knowing the cat well means that you’ll also be able to answer specific questions about his needs, or address potential future issues. (More on this later.)

But that’s not all. Yes, you want to tug at potential adopters’ heartstrings or pique their curiosity to open their minds to the idea of adopting a special needs cat, but once you get them hooked, it’s time to cover the basics about the cat’s special needs.

So when it comes to CH, I like to explain that cerebellar hypoplasia:

• Is a congenital neurological condition that results in wobbly walking.
• Does not impact a cat’s intelligence, only his fine motor skills.
• Is not a painful condition.
• Is not contagious.
• Will not worsen; in fact, some CH cats improve.
• Will not impact the lifespan of a healthy cat.
• May require minimal to considerable assistance.

Addressing these issues right away will help the potential adopter better understand the condition, so you can have a more fruitful conversation.

Photo courtesy catvandotnr.

This can also be a segue into chatting more in-depth about the cat’s needs and limitations.

While a wobbly cat may look adorable, the condition also comes with a number of complications. Share the struggles the cat has faced in the past, the current accommodations he needs (if any), and future issues that may come up. This may mean explaining that the cat does best with a modified litter box or does best walking on carpet. It may also mean addressing potential health issues such as chipped teeth. This can help a potential adopter make a well-informed decision.

As Megan said on Facebook, “For example, make sure they are willing to deal with potential litter box problems. You don’t want adopters adopting them, just to return them a few months later when they are tired of the extra work.”

And the truth is some people shouldn’t adopt cerebellar hypoplasia cats. If you’re not sure if the potential adopter would be a good fit, go over this post with them: Should You Adopt A CH Cat?

When speaking with potential adopters, it’s just as important to listen as it is to tell them about the cat and his condition. Take time to understand their concerns and to address each one. If you don’t know the answer, that’s OK. Let them know that you’re willing to look into it, and you’d like to get back them. It would also be a great idea to print out a few of these cerebellar hypoplasia fliers and hand them out as needed.

And lastly, of course, it’s essential that you let the potential adopter get to know the cat. In the shelter, this can mean providing a room or area where potential adopters can sit down and meet with the cat. This can also mean positing a video of the cat online, so potential adopters can better understand the cat’s condition before they even walk in your door.

The whole point is that you want to convey the truth about the condition, but at the same time help them realize that the cat’s identity isn’t wrapped up solely in that condition. By taking the time to address all aspects of a cat’s special needs, you’ll help potential adopters make well-informed decisions – and hopefully change their lives for the better forever.

And if all else fails, don’t forget this: 10 Reasons To Adopt A Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cat.

Do you have any more tips? Please share in the comments!

Photo courtesy Walmink.

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough room for all of those animals to end up in shelters or homes. Each year, nearly four million cats and dogs are euthanized simply because there are too many of them. Tragically, a majority of those animals are healthy, friendly, and could be adopted – if only there were enough homes to take them in.

That’s why it’s so important to spay or neuter your cat. Spaying or neutering your cat means that you’re doing your part in not adding to our nation’s pet overpopulation problem.

While many people come up with endless reasons why they’d like their cat to procreate, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. Here are eight reasons why you should strongly consider it: 

1. Even if your cat has a litter of three and you find all of the kittens homes, it means that there are three fewer homes that could have adopted animals that face euthanization. Spaying or neutering your cat means you’re giving other cats (who really need it) a chance at finding a home.

2. Spaying and neutering our cats can mean fewer neighborhood strays. The problem can start several ways: From intact cats having litters to neighbors releasing unwanted cats or kittens into our communities. Stray can be a serious nuisance: They can cause car accidents, damage plants and property, cause fights among one another, and more.

3. Neutering a male cat can protect him from injury and disease. Intact males who are allowed outside are likely to get into fights with other cats, who may have diseases. Your cat may then get that disease. They’ll also be less likely to try to get out of your home to find a mate.

Photo courtesy Chriss Pagani.

4. Sterilized cats are less likely to develop certain types of cancers, which means they are likely to live  longer, healthier lives. Females will be less likely to develop breast cancer, and they won’t be at risk for ovarian or uterine cancer. Males will not get testicular cancer.

5. Spayed and neutered cats are often better behaved, calmer, and more affectionate than those who are intact. They are often less aggressive toward cats of the same gender.

6. Males are less likely to mark their territory by spraying. Now, some cats may still spray, but neutering your male will definitely help cut back on this.

7. Spaying a female eliminates her heat cycle, which means you’ll no longer have to worry about the crying and undesired behaviors. Spaying her before her first heat also greatly reduces her chances of getting certain kinds of cancers.

8. Sterilizing your cats can be cost-effective. It’s a great deal cheaper than having and caring for a litter of kittens. Plus, it can save you a great deal in vet costs since your cat won’t be getting into fights, catching diseases, developing cancers, and more.

And these reasons are just the beginning. I’m sure we can all come up with our own reasons from our own experiences that spell out why this is a necessary procedure.

While I hope this post and the one on spay and neuter basics have been helpful, I realize some of you may still have questions or issues you need addressed. Don’t worry – in a few days I’ll publish a post on the facts and myths of spaying or neutering your pet; hopefully that will clear up any last issues!

What reasons can you come up with for why someone should spay or neuter their cat? Please share in the comments!

How does he manage the litter box? Eating and drinking? Do you do anything special to help?

Photo courtesy Paige One Photography.

Mister Wobbles is able to use the litter box all by himself. However, he is not able to stand; he lays down while he uses it. As he gets ready to go into the litter box, he methodically balances and concentrates before all of a sudden making his little “jump” for the box. We have a large, covered litter box, and he uses the side of the box to lean against as he gets situated. Since he lays down, sometimes his aim is slightly off, which is why the covered box with the sides works best. He tends to take a very, very long time in the litter box, and ends up pawing at the litter and against the sides of the litter box.

As for eating and drinking, he lays down. He has a water fountain, so there is no chance of the water tipping over and making a mess. We use a double dish that is set in a base with a rubber lining on the bottom, so there is no chance of the food dish tipping over. In recent months, we have witnessed a couple of times where Mister Wobbles has eaten standing up! It’s not a normal thing, but there have been a couple of sightings of it. The first time I saw it, I was SO thrilled and such a proud CH mom!

What’s one funny story about him (related to CH)? Or share a story about how he figured out how to do something CH cats “can’t” do. 

He used to eat straight out of the food dish, however, about a year ago he decided to start “scooping” the pieces out of the dish and putting them on the place mat and eating them off the ground… We aren’t really sure why!? He has also apparently “taught” our non-CH cat Titan how to do this, and we have even caught Titan copying the behavior.

Better yet, one of our other non-cats, Coconut, has also decided to copy one of Mister Wobbles behaviors as well. Coconut someones completely lays down when he drinks! Either they just all want to be as awesome as Mister Wobbles, or they are being good friends and copying his behaviors so that he doesn’t feel as “different.”

Has he ever hurt herself because of his CH?

No (crossing fingers)!

Each animal is special in his own way. How is he special?

He gets SO excited as soon as he hears us come in the door. Each time we see him, he acts as if he hasn’t seen us in months (even if it’s only been minutes). He obsessively licked our faces and purrs. At night, he sleeps between our pillows. He is also constantly making us smile and laugh, with his cute movements, facial expressions, and his determination.

He is an incredibly focused, determined cat. I have never seen anything like it. When he sets his mind to something, he will absolutely accomplish it, no matter how hard it is or how long it takes him. He also seems to have an extremely long body and long legs.

Have you found ways to help him with CH? How?

We have found that Mister Wobbles does much better walking when he is on carpet. We have added some extra rugs to our place, which he really likes. We are also moving to a new house very soon, and there will be several fully carpeted rooms, so he is very excited about the new house!

Photo courtesy Paige One Photography.

We also got rid of our bed and now just have a mattress. We used to have a low platform bed (which he had learned to climb onto), but when we recently purchased a new mattress we decided to get rid of the bed frame and just have the mattress on the floor. It is definitely easier for him to get up onto the bed, and we have now resigned ourselves to the fact that we will probably never have a normal bed and we will just have a mattress on the floor… but it’s completely worth it.

I do a lot of work from home, and he seems to really “miss” me when I am sitting at my computer. So, I bought a cat pouch that has a shoulder strap, and when I sit at the computer I can “wear” the pouch and put him in it and place him securely on my lap. He loves to hang out with me while I’m working.

We also have three surveillance cameras set up in our house, so that we can always check on him if we aren’t home. We are able to log into the security system right from our phones. One of the cameras is placed right next to his favorite rug (which he can almost always be seen laying on), and we call that camera “WobbleCam.”

Do you have any words of wisdom for other CH parents?

I feel that other CH parents probably have similar relationships with their CH cats, so in a sense it’s a mutual feeling of a connection through a common understanding. A covered litter box, a non-slip bowl, and a low bed (or mattress on the floor) are the main things I can think of.

What do you think people need to know about CH?

Photo courtesy Paige One Photography.

There are two things: 1) CH doesn’t mean that the cat isn’t healthy. They can be (and often are) completely healthy with no issues whatsoever, other than a wobble in their step. 2) Cats with CH are happy. They don’t know any different, and they wouldn’t want us to feel bad for them, they just want to be loved!

What is your favorite and least favorite thing about his having CH?

I feel that Mister Wobbles is especially friendly, loving, and devoted (even more so than our other non-CH cats). I honestly feel that he knows he is a lucky kitty and in a sense I think his limitations make him more dependent on us, therefore creating a very special bond.

My least favorite thing is when he sees his friends playing up high on their cat tree, and he looks up at them. I don’t think he really cares or gets upset (I think I am probably the one who gets more upset about it)! I feel so bad and I wish he could play with them, although deep down inside I really don’t think he minds at all. Sometimes we hold him and put him up on the tree while being held securely, just so that he can see what it’s like up high.

Anything else you’d like to add?

When I first considered adopting Mister Wobbles, I could tell that my friends and family were a bit hesitant of the idea. I trusted my instinct and never doubted my decision, and it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made. After seeing the bond that we have, I would certainly say that my friends and family agree that it was a great decision.

Click here to read about other readers’ CH cats or tell us about your CH cat!

I’ll wait until you’re done.

Back? Great.

I absolutely love the post simply because Dorian came up with many creative and free ideas for how shelters can spread the word about their adoptable cats. Plus in the comments readers shared some of their own best practices.

Photo courtesy Shamey Jo.

Some of the great ideas include making business cards for each cat, providing a comfortable “meet and greet” space where potential adopters can meet with a cat, blogging about the cats, and more.

Basically, the idea is to find creative ways to get the word out about your cats. You want to touch people’s hearts, make a connection between them and a cat, and hopefully seal the deal by sending a cat home with his forever family.

Spending a little extra time “marketing” your cats may result in more adoptions, which of course means that you can help more cats.

That said, these ideas can take some thought, time, and creativity. And if you work in a shelter or other facility, you may be scratching your head, wondering how anyone could find the time to follow through on any of these ideas.

If I were to guess, I’d put my money on the fact that these folks don’t find the time. They make the time – because marketing in memorable ways works.

And sometimes all it takes is a phone call.

A few years ago, a Seattle shelter was at capacity. They had rescued a cerebellar hypoplasia kitten and were afraid she would be overlooked or unwanted because of her condition. So the shelter staff made a call to their local news station.

And what do you think happened? KOMO News came in and did an entire segment on the CH kitten. Within 10 minutes of the segment airing, the shelter said its phones were ringing off the hook. Viewers were touched by the kitten’s story and wanted to give her a home.

I know few of us may actually have an opportunity like that, but that’s not the point. The idea is to get creative with the resources you do have.

Photo courtesy Joplin Tornado Lost and Found Pets.

For example, perhaps you have a local paper in your town. Give them a call and see if you can write a weekly column about an adoptable cat. It doesn’t need to be too long or in-depth, it simply needs to capture a reader’s attention.

Don’t have time to write a cat’s profile? Ask a volunteer to do it. You want to find someone who knows the cat well and can capture that particular cat’s story and personality. The more engaging you can make it, the more it’ll stick and make an impact. You can then post that profile online and in your shelter so potential adopters can read it.

If you have big ideas or goals but don’t have certain resources available, reach out to your community to see if anyone is willing to donate time and materials.

Remember: Making a difference doesn’t need to be a one-person job. Reach out to those around you for assistance. They’ll likely be happy to help with such a good cause. Good luck!

Do you work in a shelter or foster cats? What are some creative ways you’ve come up with to get the word out about your adoptable cats?

While some may only walk a little funny, others – specifically those who have severe CH – may not be able to walk at all.

Consequently, an ethical dilemma may form in some folks’ minds: Is it fair to keep a cat with severe cerebellar hypoplasia alive?

It’s an understandable question. And as more and more people become aware of cerebellar hypoplasia, it is increasingly important to answer questions like this one – so we don’t simply spread awareness, but understanding, too.

So is it fair to keep a severe CH cat alive?

I believe it is, yes.

The main reason is because we have the power to help them.

In the wild, severe cerebellar hypoplasia is a death sentence. But when these special cats come in contact with people, their futures can change. I believe it is our responsibility to see these cats’ potential and to help them as we can. We have the power to improve their quality of life. It’s simply up to us to do our part.

While some may see that as a huge or unneccessary hurdle, other folks, like CH cat parent Suzanne, view the situation very simply.

“She’s disabled,” she said about her CH cat. “That’s all there is to it. You learn to help them and deal with it. You just get used to it.”

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to helping a CH cat (of any severity), read through some of the posts on this blog, especially this post. Here you’ll find all sorts of creative ideas that we’ve come up with to improve our cats’ quality of life from diapering to providing a walker.

Basically, the idea is to find creative ways to make life easier for you and your cat.

“Lyra has a good quality of life because her environment has been modified to be accessible to her, and because I assist her with the things she needs help with,” Emily said. “The same as if a human had Lyra’s needs: modify the environment, have a personal care attendant as needed. If I insisted that Lyra do things in the same way as my other cats, she wouldn’t have any quality of life.”

Emily makes a great point here: We all have different needs. We find different ways to accommodate those needs, from purchasing glasses so we can see clearly to making our communities handicapped accessible. Since we have the power to accommodate those needs, we do.

And sometimes that means the lifestyle of one person – or cat – is different from another. Here’s Lynda’s take on evaluating a severe CH cat’s quality of life:

“Do they eat? Do they enjoy their food? Are they sociable? Do they show an interest in what is going on around them? Do they play (that depends on age, of course)? Do they sleep soundly?” Lynda asked. “The answer to all these questions for my own severe Tiger is YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! Sure it takes him a while to get to his bowl of wet food, and he falls backward so often while trying to propel himself forward that you wonder whether he will make it, but he does and the journey doesn’t faze him at all, he just copes with it. And there is nothing like seeing the smug look on a severe CH cat’s face when he’s overcome a big hurdle, like getting to the next level of a climber after numerous struggles and falls.”

Photo courtesy docoverachiever

While the power to change a cat’s environment is important, it certainly isn’t the only factor. Another equally necessary quality is to have the heart for it.

Fortunately, there are people out there (myself included!) who find cerebellar hypoplasia cats to be some of the most special pets in the world. We dedicate our time and hearts to these cats, just as other folks dedicate their time toward other hobbies or professions.

Kim’s testimony about her moderately severe CH boy Max was especially touching:

“People often ask if it’s fair to him to let him live like that, and those even less sensitive, suggest euthanizing him,” she said. “My response: Max is a very happy little boy who loves to snuggle and snooze with me, but also has the strength and determination to overcome every obstacle that comes along. He inspires me because he never gives up – he just keeps trying, no matter how hard things are for him or how many times he falls. Per the vet’s standards he has a great quality of life – he eats, is sociable, is aware of his surroundings, plays with me and our other cats, and sleeps like a baby. Per my standards – he’s amazing! I also have another CH boy, Gabriel, who is moderately CH and the difference between the two is huge. The thing they have in common is that determination and courage that has helped them accomplish so much.”

Still not sure why we love cerebellar hypoplasia cats? Check out these 10 reasons.

So all of the above is to say this: Cats born with severe cerebellar hypoplasia face many challenges, but that doesn’t mean that their lives are any less valuable. If we can improve their quality of life – or find someone who can and wants to, I think it’s our responsibility to help them.

The time has gone so quickly, and yet at the same time she is just as much a part of our little family as any of us. And although she continues to age physically, emotionally and mentally she’s still the joyful, affectionate mama’s girl she was when we first brought her home.

Her disposition is remarkable, especially because her two years have passed with a number of difficulties. So much so that I’ve nicknamed her “Braveheart” for approaching challenges and confronting fears beautifully. But if I think about it for a moment, perhaps I’m the one categorizing those moments as challenges and reasons to be afraid, because she doesn’t certainly seem to think they are, which could be why an event that happened Friday barely seemed to register on her scale.

We were all relaxing on the couch when I realized that one of her front toes was bloody. I took a closer look and saw that she had ripped out yet another claw – but this time it was still attached slightly.

It was a strange moment. I was shocked and worried for her, but this isn’t the first time she’s pulled a claw out. In April 2012, she pulled a claw out completely after tumbling from our cat tree. After a number of weeks a new one grew in, but it still shook me. And although I know that she’ll be fine, it does truly concern me that this is the second time that something this serious has happened.

And yet as concerned as I was, Ellie was acting fine. She cried out a bit when I was examining her toe –  I must have touched it in the wrong spot or with too much pressure – but other than that, she was getting around normally.

Matt and I tried to figure out when it could have occurred, as we obviously didn’t notice anything wrong before that. After some detective work, all we found were a number of bloody toe-prints around our first floor. Unfortunately, they couldn’t tell us too much, as trying to track a CH cat’s travels from bloody toe-prints is as difficult as it sounds. It reminded me that Ellie doesn’t just walk from point A to point B, but serpentines, falls, bumps, and tumbles her way to places.

And that’s just life. Ellie, a moderate CH cat, has come a long way in her two years, but at the same time she still faces daily challenges. If I were to describe her mobility, I’d say she’s just mobile enough to be dangerous. She can walk, but often tumbles. She can climb our carpeted stairs, but occasionally falls. She loves to climb, but sometimes falls off and tries to catch herself in the process. But she does her best – she doesn’t know any better – and she absolutely loves life. And that’s one of the many reasons why I love her so much.

Anyway, the point of this is to convey one thing: Wobbly cats are absolutely precious creatures, but they also have a condition that can lead to serious injuries. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that, to think that our cats are normal. But it’s essential to remember the duality of the condition so that we can prepare for and try to prevent injuries like this so that all of our CH kitties can live wonderful, happy lives as long as they’re intended to be on this earth with us.