Adopting a homeless pet is a noble act, but those who open their hearts to animals with special needs deserve even greater appreciation.
Cairistiona Flatley has always had a soft spot for animals. So, when she stumbled upon a social media post about a cat with only two legs in need of a home, she immediately felt that she was the one to give him the love and care he deserved.
This special cat, named Rexie Roo, is a young tuxedo who found himself at a rural Utah shelter in early 2020. His situation was dire—both of his front legs were severely broken, and it was assumed that he had been struck by a car. Unable to provide the necessary medical treatment, the shelter transferred Rexie Roo to the Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City, where veterinarians determined that his legs were beyond repair. The only solution was to amputate his front legs, giving him a fresh start despite his challenging circumstances.
Even though the surgery was painful and Rexie Roo had to learn to move on just his back legs, he remained affectionate and loving towards everyone he met.
After recovering in two foster homes, Rexie Roo was ready for adoption, but finding someone to care for a pet with special needs wasn’t easy. That’s when Cairistiona stepped in. She adopted Rexie Roo and immediately began working to make him comfortable in his new forever home. She quickly realized that Rexie Roo had a strong love for food, so she cleverly used his favorite wet cat food as motivation for his at-home physical therapy exercises.
But Cairistiona wasn’t just committed to caring for Rexie Roo; she also saw him as an example for others who might hesitate before adopting an animal with disabilities. Through Rexie Roo’s story, she aims to encourage others to consider opening their homes to pets with special needs.
“When people tell me I’m so kind for adopting a special needs cat and that he is lucky to have me, I can only think about how lucky I am to have him in my life,” Cairistiona shared. “I love him so much, and he has brought me a lot of peace and joy in a chaotic and uncertain year. He loves to snuggle and eat, and so do I, so we’re a good match.”
She went on to say, “I think he can teach people a lot about patience, resilience, and love.”
Rexie Roo’s missing legs haven’t stopped him from enjoying life. Cairistiona is constantly amazed at how he plays, runs, and spreads happiness to everyone around him. She has now taken on the role of an advocate for animals with disabilities and uses Instagram to raise awareness for pets like Rexie Roo.
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“All animals deserve love, no matter what they look like or what challenges they face. I hope his story encourages others to adopt animals that might seem different. I wouldn’t change a thing about him,” Cairistiona said. “My life is better because he’s in it. I tell everyone he’s the light of my life. It’s incredible how your heart can grow in ways you never thought possible.”
This heartwarming story of Cairistiona and Rexie Roo shows that love truly knows no bounds and that every animal, regardless of their needs or appearance, is deserving of a loving home.