Bleeding Heart

Most people have probably realized that veterinarians as a group are infamous for always taken in the abused, orphaned, or disabled animals. We adopt those that nobody wants, can’t take care of, or have left behind. I have long since realized that if it were not for my DVM status I would probably be considered an animal collector. Recently I took in a new addition, a young kitten at the barn where my horses are boarded, that has a deformity of the right front leg. Her right front paw is vestigial with only a few toe bones, no nails, a full paw pad, and the leg is only half as long as it should be. She has an obvious gimp in her gait in front, but she still works hard to get around. When I first saw her at the barn my concern was for her safety. She was small and slow to get around. She would try and cuddle up with the horses; however for her, that meant rubbing around their front legs. I expressed my concerns with the managers of the property who replied that no one wanted her with her “gimp” and they already had their own cats in the main house. It was then when she tried to weave around the front legs of my none too tolerant mare that I bent down to pick her up. She turned around in my arms to purr and rub her head on my and I felt my insides melt. Needless to say, I’m a sucker for a cute face. Chloe has adapted well in my new home and she helps to serve as a daily reminder of why I love my job!