Bowtie

Bowtie is a spirited, wobbly-but-never-slowed-down kitten who proves that a little cerebellar hypoplasia or CH won't dampen a big personality. Bowtie's CH is considered moderate to severe, as she is not able to walk, stand, or sit up on her own, however her head and body tremors are generally mild and tend to appear when she's focused on an object or eating food. Even so, she can lift her head and push herself up using her front legs, and she gets around quite capably by using her front nails to pull and her back legs to push herself along—for her to maneuver independently, though, she needs carpeted floors or non-slip bath mats underfoot for traction. She can enjoy her meals from a bowl while lying down, or with proper supports around her if she chooses to try to sit—once she's positioned comfortably, she eats just fine. Given her small size, a standard litterbox looks like a monumental challenge to her right now, so for the time being she uses modified boxes and pee pads, and she should be able to adapt to commercially available low-entry boxes as she gets bigger.

And energy? This kitten runs on premium fuel. She doesn't just play—she conducts full-scale campaigns against her toys, wand-toy in one paw and her long-suffering snake in the other, wrestling it into submission with the intensity of a kitten twice her size. She flops into rooms with purpose, announces her opinions loudly (especially about food dishes), and propels herself across the room with sheer determination, pulling and scooting her way toward whatever's caught her attention—usually followed by a dramatic collapse into a well-earned nap. It's a lot of enthusiasm packed into one small, formally-dressed package, all the more reason her space needs to be safe and protected as she moves.

Her ideal adopter will understand that this kind of support and patience is simply part of loving Bowtie, and that she's happy to coexist with feline housemates as well.

She's looking for a patient adopter ready to "Bowtie-proof" a home with soft landings and safe exploring spots. Cerebellar hypoplasia is not contagious and doesn't require medication, and it's not progressive, so Bowtie's condition will not worsen over time. With appropriate care and support from her family, she can look forward to a normal lifespan, and this level of determined, tumbling joy is simply who she is—for life.