Kitty’s Special Legs Are Purrfect For Hugging Her New Rescuers

Written by: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| Published on October 18, 2016

Emmy Lou Sugarbean aka Truckasaurus the Cat has a list of special physical characteristics as long as her name(s)! She was born with radial hypoplasia causing her forelimbs to be shortened and curve inward as if she is permanently ready for a hug.

She also has slightly malformed eyelids that do not fully open, giving her a permanent sad appearance.

Finally, Emmy has heterochromia, meaning her lovely eyes are two different colors – one green, one blue.

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Emmy Lou was surrendered to a Texas shelter when she was about 2-years-old. The staff took an instant liking to the special white and black kitty who refused to let her disability slow her down. They were determined to help her find a forever home prepared to handle her differences.

That’s when the shelter reached out to husband and wife team, Gerald and Karyn Poplin of Kitty Adventure Rescue League & Sanctuary in Fort Worth. They specialize in caring for senior and special needs cats and agreed to make Emmy a permanent member of their feline family. Once again, Emmy Lou captured the hearts of her caretakers effortlessly.

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Thanks to recent donations, Emmy’s new friends at Kitty Adventure were able to install recyclable stain-resistant carpet in all of her favorite rooms to help her gain traction and mobility. Emmy has adapted a very special way of walking in which she scoots along using her elbows or stands up and hops on her hind legs like a kangaroo.

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She can even use her twisty front legs to shimmy up cat trees or pull herself onto windowsills for a bird-watching session. She loves playing with her new cat siblings and chasing a laser, although she’s understandably slower than her fur friends.

Miss Emmylou Sugarbean Truckasaurus may look sad and pitiful due to her genetic conditions, but Karyn assures us that she is just as happy as can be. She loves being lifted onto the bed for snuggle time and “purrs like a diesel truck” when getting attention.

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Emmy Lou has no idea that she is different from her new feline playmates. After all, she can do everything they can do – she just does it in her own special way!

All Photos c/o Kitty Adventure Rescue League