Handicapped Pets are still Capable of Love!

On Thursday, we posted a very cute clip of a “helper dog” that was trained to do ordinary day-to-day activities that many of us may take for granted.   These animals are a godsend for handicapped individuals with limited mobility or motor functions.  Even though we may view these activities as cute, these wonderful creatures are very special.  And their assistance is a very vital element that actually improves the quality of life to those who need them.  We applaud everyone involved in training these dogs, and we applaud these amazingly selfless animals!

Trina, the Three-Legged Barn Cat

Even though not all pets have the focus and abilities that these special animals possess, pets can still bring a great deal of comfort and unconditional love to their owners.  We have witnessed that in the face of adversity, many handicapped animals can simply amaze us with their resilience and determination. 

We met Trina at the pound after she had given birth to a litter of beautiful kittens.   And we were surprised to discover that Trina was missing a leg!   Though this was a shock to us, Trina was not at all bothered by her handicap.   She had adapted.   She was still a loving, affectionate kitty.  We knew she had to find the right owner that wouldn’t be deterred by her handicap.  

Ah, life on the farm!  You know I love it!

Amazingly, Trina found those perfect owners.   She was adopted by Paul and Kenny Gabbard.   She now lives her life as a barn cat.  Trina climbs, jumps, plays, and runs just like any other cat.  And she still has the speed and agility to catch unwelcome rodents.  In fact, Paul proudly brags that Trina is an exceptional hunter, and keeps the barn free of pests.  Her disability has not been a disability at all.  

Hemi is blind.

We first met Hemi at the pound, and noticed that he would stand in the middle of all the dogs as if he was confused.   We later discovered that Hemi had been blind since birth, and probably stood still because he was not confident in his surroundings.   We took Hemi into foster care, and we were fascinated by his ability to navigate his surroundings.   Once Hemi gets his bearings, he uses sound and memory to find his way about.   In fact, he does it so well that many people have met him and had no idea that he was blind!  His new owners have joked that they are Hemi’s “seeing-eye people,” but he rarely needs assistance.

Tripp is deaf.

Tripp is deaf.   But since he does hail from hunting breeds, his senses of sight and smell are highly developed.   Tripp’s foster parent decided to take advantage of those strengths, and successfully trained him using hand signals.  Tripp would make a wonderful companion for any avid hunter, and you can be assured that he would never even flinch at the sound of gunshots!

  

Axel is looking for a place to retire.

Right now, we have a handicapped cat in foster care.   His name is Axel.  He has one leg that was broken, and did not heal properly.  Axel can still run and jump, but he is a bit slower reaching his destination than other cats.  The vet told us that this cat has lived a very hard life, but you would never know it by looking into his beautiful green eyes.  He still wants to snuggle and curl up in a warm lap.  He is just looking to leave the hard life on the streets behind, and find a comforting retirement home.

Animals live in the moment.  It’s true that they can learn from their mistakes, but they do not dwell on they cannot change.   They accept their handicaps, and adapt to their limitations.  But they still offer the same love and affection just as they would if they didn’t live with their handicap.   Some people might consider these wonderful creatures as “throw-away” animals, but their determination to survive in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.  There are many, many handicapped animals in the world looking for homes.  Please consider giving these brave animals a chance, and let one into your heart.  

Axel and Tripp are still available for adoption.   Contact us if you might want to give these wonderful guys a forever home!