A ginger cat was found in danger earlier this year in Mansfield, Texas. Her feet were seen carrying her to safety. Susan Edstrom, the founder and president of F our Paws One Heart (Trophy Club, Texas), was informed of the situation and rushed to assist.
“The cat is the most determined to live. We took her to numerous vets, who performed X-rays and exams on her. According to Susan, the item (shot) was lodged in her spine. – It was decided to ignore it (to prevent further damage). When her feet were touched, she felt it.”
They also saw something else thanks to the X-ray – to everyone’s surprise, the cat turned out to be pregnant. She survived all the trials so that her kittens could.
She was given the name Chelsea, and over the next few weeks in foster care, the cat proved her toughness.
She did not stop trying to move her legs and use them. Every day, without exception, she dragged herself to training while her guardian gave her limbs a firming massage.
“We got an elderly cat a litter box, and she tried to use it.” Susan says, “We eventually saw her get up, stagger, and fall on video, but she was persistent.”
Chelsea simply rose up on all fours one day, took her first steps, and… kept walking. She learnt to utilize the tray a few days later and even increased her range of motion to the point where she rubbed her ears with her rear legs.
On March 31, Chelsea gave birth to five kittens on her own in a comfortable nest. She seemed to have been preparing herself all this time to start caring for demanding children.
Chelsea was a wonderful mother, taking care of her kittens’ every need and looking after them as they grew into blooming and inquisitive teenagers. When the babies were ready for adoption, all but one quickly found families.
Chelsea’s baby Georgie (a miniature version of Chelsea) and Chelsea herself were still overexposed. Chelsea, it turned out, was still in need of a son.
She is still wary of strangers, although Baby Georgie likes being the center of attention. His mother picks up on his enthusiasm and confidence. Chelsea’s inner cat is awakened as he encourages her to play.
“They’re constantly together,” Susan recalls. “The boy often falls asleep next to his mother, snuggled up, or puts his paw on her as a protection.”
“When he’s there, he helps her acquire wings, and she’s lot more at ease with others.” We believe they should be put in the same household; he will assist her in acclimating to her new home.
Some of Chelsea’s small daily successes speak of huge improvements. She begins to move her hind limbs before jumping and plays more and more like any other cat.
“She also realized that when I quickly pass the cat tree, she does not need to run. In her progress, in baby steps, she goes further and longer than anyone else,” Chelsea shares.
“Since we’ve got it, a lot of people have been pulling for Chelsea. She and Georgie should definitely stay together. He is her yin yang, and they are deeply in love.”
