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| Name: |
Bob
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Age: |
Fifteen years old
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| Gender: |
Male
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Kind: |
Brown Tabby
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| Home: |
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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One day in 2008 I took a drive to Kentwood, MI (which is in suburban Grand Rapids) ... and came home with Bob! Bob is a Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH) kitty. CH is a neurological disorder some cats are born with if the mother had panleukopenia (feline distemper) while pregnant. The development of the Cerebellum part of the brain, which controls coordination and balance, is limited, so the cat wobbles and falls a lot depending on the degree of severity.
Bob was born to a barn cat belonging to a veterinarian in the area. She recognized his condition right away and knew he would never survive as a barn cat. She gave him to her sister Sarah.
Everything was fine with Bob and Sarah, and then she got married. Everything was fine with Bob and Sarah and husband, and then she had a baby. And things were NOT fine with Bob and the baby. Bob was fearful and hostile, sometimes hiding, sometimes lashing out at the child. By now, the baby was a toddler and had toddler friends that visited. And Sarah was pregnant again. She realized that Bob needed a new home.
Somehow I found out about him, probably from a CH e-mail list I follow. Sarah made some phone calls to check me out, decided I was okay, and I went to meet him. We fell in love right away, and he came home with me. Bob was pretty wobbly but had no trouble getting around or using the litterbox.
Since then, we've shared loads of good times and love. He has had his limitations, but that hasn't stopped him from getting where he wants to go. He brought a two-story cat condo with him, and he leaps up the side of it, holds on, and pulls himself up onto the top. He also climbs up onto the couch or bed to keep me company. He enjoys his food, though he has very picky tastes.. and just because he likes something one meal, it doesn't mean he'll eat any of it if I go buy a few more cans of the same thing. (Well, after all, he's a cat!)
In recent months, Bob's symptoms have gotten more severe. He's developed degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc disease, essentially kitty arthritis, which has made it much harder for him just to get around at all. He also shows symptoms of a stroke.
He is still quite determined to get where he wants to go. He likes to sleep in different places at different times. He gets to and uses the litter box. He doesn't climb much any more, though he did haul himself up onto my bed early this morning. He enjoys eating as much as ever (and is still very picky about it). He likes me to hold him on my lap when I'm on the computer.
I am treasuring the time Bob and I have had and still have together. I hope we can carry on for quite a while longer.
I love you so much, my sweet Bobby dearest!
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