Meet Goobie Girl

When it comes to special needs kitties, Allison’s opinion is clear:

“I totally advocate having an animal that has a disability. It doesn’t seem to bother them as much as it bothers us. Animals have a better way of adapting — amazing ways — to maladies that we whine about.”

Perhaps that’s also why Allison fell in love with her CH kitty, Goobie Girl, when she was only 5-days-old. Born with CH and a head-tilt (which was later fixed by a chiropractor), Goobie was originally adopted by one of Allison’s friends, who ultimately could not keep her because the other cats bullied her. So at 5-months,  Allison took Goobie home.

Since then, they’ve developed a special bond. So special that Allison calls her 14-year-old mild CH kitty her “heart and soul.” Read more:

Does she have certain limitations?

Some trouble negotiating walking — she can be a little wobbly. She is not able to jump high, most of the time she has to claw the sheets to get up the bed.

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

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

She manages the litter box fine, although she does not cover it up. She will lay down to drink water and will often put the left side of her face in the bowl. She lays down to eat dry food, and gets it scattered. She does stand up to eat wet food.

It’s funny and sad to watch her clean herself and at times, miss where she is licking. It’s also funny to watch her drink water when the whole left side of her face goes in the dish. She is very entertaining in her unique way of doing cat things.

Has she ever hurt herself because of her CH?

Yes — when she was younger, she tumbled down the stairs — they were open steps — in the basement. Stairs that have open steps are very dangerous to cats of this nature. She has to go back and forth to get down closed steps.

Each animal is special in her own way. How is she special?

She has the biggest eyes of any cat I’ve ever seen. She was born with her head tipped to one side, and outgrew that. She “talks” to me, and she runs to me when I call her name. When I say “Goobie” she answers me with a meow. I am her person — I am the only one in the universe she will allow to hold her. She is a little wobbly when she walks. She has a black splotch on her nose that reminds me of Charlie Chaplin. Her calico colors are bold and beautiful. Her tail is unusually thick.

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

I just keep spaces open for her to get around. I’m fortunate that she does not have to to the degree that some CH cats do.

What do you think people need to know about CH?

These cats are wonderful and unique and should not be dismissed. They should be embraced!

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

It makes her more endearing and unique. I don’t have a least favorite thing.

Anything else you’d like to add?

She’s my child and my heart and soul. I hate that she is getting older and showing signs of her age now.

Click here to read about other readers’ CH pets  or tell us about your CH pet!