Popeye was a tiny kitten with deformed front legs who came to us from Spokane Animal Control this spring at the age of 3 weeks. As time went by, his legs started to straighten out, and his fearless, playful personality blossomed. In our summer newsletter -- seeing what lay ahead -- we titled his story, "He's trouble!"
A very nice young lady named Carmen U. from Missoula recently adopted him, and today e-mailed us her second update on Popeye. With Carmen's permission, here's what she wrote:
"Popeye is doing well. He's getting huge. I'll have to send a photo soon. He is a little terror but a sweetie, too. He loves to play with the dogs. They wrestle around together -- he attacks their faces and their legs and the dogs just roll around and play nice with him. They play chase in the yard, and Popeye also likes hanging out in the dog kennel. Maybe he thinks he's a dog?
He also enjoys cleaning the dogs' faces and ears. It's so cute. The dogs just lay there so relaxed with their eyes shut. Popeye and my Blue Heeler BOTH sleep right above my head every night! It's not so comfortable for me but THEY sleep through the night, right next to each other, right on my hair. He enjoys knocking over knick-knacks, spreading playing cards all over the living room, and attacking the bedroom curtains, too. I guess we'll love him anyway. :)
He loves his food and comes running every time he hears me open the metal can that holds his food. He runs so fast he slides and slams into the wall. You'd think I never feed him! Anyway, thanks for giving up the little guy. He's great! We've affectionately shortened his name to 'Pop' or 'Poppy'."
Thanks for the update, Carmen!
The photos show what Popeye looked like soon after he arrived at the ranch. He grew really fast, and we're not surprised at all that Carmen says he is huge now. And the way she describes him is EXACTLY how we thought he would be when he grew up!
Popeye's story is another perfect example of what we've seen so often: Animals who are dumped at shelters because of their disabilities, and then turn out to be absolutely wonderful companions and a delight to their new families.
(Click on photos for larger image.)
I have a kitten about 4 months old that has paws that turn inwards exactly like this. I have been looking all over the web trying to find something similar and this is the only one I found after looking for a while.
Posted by: Karie | March 06, 2013 at 10:44 PM
What good pictures, you are really becoming quite the animal portrait photographers! Glad the little one is so happy.
Posted by: Karen SA/TX | October 03, 2005 at 06:02 PM
I just love that little guy. Thanks to Carmen for adopting him. Please do send those updated photos.
Posted by: Roz | October 01, 2005 at 01:03 PM
Popeye sounds so happy ! Thanks for sharing the update...can't wait to see how big he has gotten
Posted by: Leigh | October 01, 2005 at 02:53 AM