Meet Shiva

When CG “joined” Twitter (I helped him a bit), we met Shiva, a CH kitty in the UK. She was born in September 2007 and has mild cerebellar hypoplasia. Last year I asked her a few questions about what it’s like to have CH, and her “Secretary of Writings and Speeches” conveyed her meows:

How severe is your CH?

It’s rather mild. I always get very healthy Royal Canin food and I eat a fishie every Sunday. This is how I keep my muscles strong, but still I fall off the bed almost every evening! Mom says that’s my own fault, but sometimes it’s just fun living on the edge. Meow!

Do you have any funny stories of things that have happened to you because of CH? Or perhaps a story about how you figured out how to do something CH kitties may not be able to do?

What can I meow… I can’t jump on and off windowsills very well. Some days are better than others, but I prefer to CLIMB on them via the heater. In the winter, that’s a little bit harder. I don’t want to hurt my paws!

Has your pet parent found any ways to help you with your condition?

Mom? Oh, yes. Like I just meowed, I get healthy noms. I don’t need any step stools. If I fall, I fall.

What do you think people need to know about CH?

Like I meowed on my bloggie, I think vets need some education. All too often, CH kittens are put to sleep because vets don’t know enough about their condition and believe the kittens won’t be able to live a normal life. Since I’m very expurrienced with CH, I know that the best option is to look at CH cats individually.

Also, CH can be worked on. I have a furriend, @saricat, who, through intensive training, holds up much better than she did when she was just diagnosed. Her purrents play very often with her and have her chase balls and other toys. @saricat now walks a lot better than she did a while ago.

What are your favorite and least favorite things about having CH?

Dunno. I accept and love myself as I am.

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

If you embrace yourself as you are, including all your impurrfections, like I do… you will fully understand how valuable the love of a CH kitty like me really is!

You can find more about Shiva and her sister Jaya on their Web site, and you can follow them on Twitter and YouTube.

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