Animal rescuers witness some heartbreaking situations. Many of the animals they care for are incredibly sick, and unfortunately, some don’t survive. Despite the challenges, the success stories make all their hard work worthwhile. One such story is about a resilient kitten named Penny.
When Penny was brought to Sheza Elizabeth’s shelter, she was barely holding on. “When I first got her, she was in a coma,” shared Shelly, her foster mom. “She couldn’t see, hear, or walk, and her body was ice cold. I truly believed she was dying.”
Shelly did everything she could to keep the tiny kitten warm and used an eyedropper to feed her. As she went to bed that night, Shelly didn’t have much hope Penny would make it through till morning. But when she woke up, she discovered that Penny had an incredible will to survive.
A medical exam revealed Penny had hydrocephaly, a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain. This diagnosis meant her chances of survival were slim. Despite this grim prognosis, after a week of treatment, Penny began to show signs of improvement. She started eating solid food on her own, and each day she grew stronger. Soon enough, she was attempting to walk, determined to get back on her feet.
Penny’s determination wasn’t just limited to her physical recovery. Once she could stand and move on her own, she went from crawling to running in no time. Her feisty spirit also showed up in her interactions with other cats at the shelter. She wasn’t afraid to roughhouse with the bigger cats, displaying a fearlessness that surprised everyone.
“Most kittens would back off after getting swatted by a larger cat,” Shelly explained, “but not Penny. She just keeps coming back for more. She’s like a little shark.”
Just two months after being at death’s door, Penny transformed into one of the most spirited kittens at the shelter. She can now run and use her body without difficulty. Her hearing is fully restored, and her vision has improved to around 90 percent.
Sadly, this seems to have been a disturbing pattern that must be addressed. To protect future animals and provide him with the support he needs, he must be banned from ever owning animals again and undergo mandatory counseling.
“She has really taught me the importance of never giving up,” said Shelly.
Soon, Penny will be heading to her forever home, where she’s sure to rule the roost! Her story reminds us all that no matter how tough things get, there’s always hope for a brighter tomorrow.
