In addition to Blanca, here's what also arrived this past weekend: Two adorable 12-week old kittens who came to us from the Panhandle Animal Shelter in Sandpoint, Idaho. The shelter had named them Spazzy -- that's him on the left -- and his sister Teeny. They were born with missing bones in their rear legs -- it looks like both the tibia and fibula are simply not there. Perhaps as a result of that, their back feet are upside down and backwards ... notice how Spazzy's left rear foot is positioned.
When we hold them up in the air, their rear legs just dangle and kind of spin around. And yet ... put these two on the ground, and they can get around just fine. Teeny does a modified bunny hop while Spazzy scoots around at a blur.
The shelter had placed these two with a foster mom, Nicki D., who emailed us with some background on them. In her message she wrote, "So basically, these guys are hardly any different than taking care of a normal cat. Except that they are disfigured, and people start talking euthanasia and removal of limbs around them." (Nicki's emphasis.)
Nicki also told us that Spazzy is the "great adventurer" while Teeny is "a dreamer." They are both sweet and affectionate, and Teeny just starts purring as soon as she sees you.
But ... I think it's time for a name-the-kittens contest! Please post your name suggestions on the blog, and if we pick your names, we'll send you either a Rolling Dog Ranch hat or a set of our greeting cards ... your choice!
Here's some video of this duo that I shot in my office this afternoon. You'll see that except for those back legs, these two are happy, healthy and spunky little guys.
Ah, they are sweet and playful and they just look like they're sitting on some other kitten, upside down under their rear end :-)...
Don't the weirdest things go awry sometimes? Dogs without formed eyes, kittens without bones and chihuahua's without front legs and still they all manage to find a gift in living, as long as they get a shot at life...
Posted by: Jessica, NL | August 14, 2007 at 02:48 AM
Oh my, they're too cute for words! I wish them a long and happy life at the RDR!
As a new name for Teeny, I suggest Vispa, Italian for lively, vivacious; for Spazzy, Tim (as in Tiny Tim).
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | August 14, 2007 at 01:18 AM
Awww they're so cute!! Reminds me of my cat, Shadow.
I reckon names like Travel & Trance would suit them, which are other meanings of adventure and dream. They sound kinda crazy, but it's the best I can come up with right now for two such cute kittys! :D
Posted by: Kylie | August 14, 2007 at 12:31 AM
These two are just adorable! For some reason, I LOVE these two names together:
Lola & Milo
Posted by: Heather | August 14, 2007 at 12:05 AM
Simba and Nala from the movie "The Circle of Life." or
Kindred and Spirit!
Posted by: Shirley & James | August 13, 2007 at 11:03 PM