Dorito, a lively orange shorthair, had a challenging start to life before finding his forever home alongside two other remarkable rescue cats. After being discovered as a severely injured stray, Dorito was taken in by an animal shelter in Nova Scotia, Canada. His left eye had suffered a corneal ulcer, resulting in irreparable damage and the need for its removal.
Despite his unfortunate past, Dorito now revels in a life of joy and contentment. His loving owner, Michelle Babineau, shares that he adores playing, cuddling, and embarking on exciting adventures. With his silly antics and expressive face, Dorito never fails to bring smiles to people’s faces. Remarkably, his disability has not hindered his zest for life, perhaps due to the company of his two feline brothers who also possess unique physical traits – one with a solitary eye and the other with only three legs.
In the embrace of a supportive and understanding family, Dorito has thrived and conquered any obstacles that came his way.
Without a doubt, Dorito is not the sole unique feline with exceptional requirements. He shares his living space with Ziggy, who possesses only three legs, and Herbie, who like Dorito, is missing an eye. These three cats have developed an extraordinary connection amongst themselves.
In a particular study, a group of cats were subjected to an intriguing experiment. They were shown a photograph of a familiar cat’s face on a laptop screen. Simultaneously, a voice would either utter the name of the same cat or a different one. The results of this research revealed that the cats displayed increased attention towards the screen if the name spoken did not correspond to the feline depicted. This suggests that the cats were anticipating to hear the “correct” name and were left perplexed when it didn’t match.
Undeniably, Dorito shares a remarkable bond with his two feline companions. This bond may have formed, in part, due to the shared experiences of overcoming various challenges and finding themselves in this blissful state.
In 2015, Babineau went to visit a litter of kittens and noticed a small kitten emerging from the woods with a limp. Concerned about its injured and deformed leg, she immediately scooped it up and decided to adopt it. After taking the kitten to the vet, she discovered that it was scheduled to be euthanized due to its injuries. Babineau, however, was determined to save the kitten’s life and named him Ziggy.
Ziggy had a dislocated shoulder, a broken leg, and was infested with fleas. The vet also found bite marks on his paw, possibly from an animal attack. Urgent care was required, and it was ultimately decided that Ziggy’s damaged leg needed to be amputated. To everyone’s surprise, as soon as Ziggy woke up from the surgery, he started walking. Babineau realized that Ziggy was a special cat.
Despite having only three legs, Ziggy still climbed furniture and played with toys. Babineau believes that with the right support and care, three-legged cats can lead happy and fulfilling lives. Soon, Babineau welcomed another cat named Herbie into the family. Herbie had suffered severe trauma to his right eye before being surrendered to the SPCA. Despite his tough past, Herbie had a sweet and gentle demeanor that won Babineau’s heart.
Caring for Herbie came with its own set of challenges. He was initially skittish and had to undergo extensive treatment for tapeworm. His depth perception was also affected by the loss of his eye, causing him to occasionally miss treats or unintentionally bite fingers. However, despite these difficulties, Herbie remains a beloved member of the family.
In spite of the necessity for specialized care and regular visits to the vet, both cats have thrived. Some people might have been concerned that the addition of another cat to the household would disrupt the harmony, but that is certainly not the case with Dorito.
“Herbie and Dorito are inseparable,” Babineau shared. “They snuggle, play, and groom each other every single day. They both seem to understand each other’s unique needs and disabilities. They even have a special way of meowing when they communicate with each other.”
Dorito is also quite friendly with Ziggy, although sometimes he can be a bit overwhelming. “Dorito adores Ziggy, but Ziggy can become irritated with Dorito at times and requires some personal space since Dorito can be relentless when it comes to seeking cuddles,” Babineau explained. “However, overall they do get along really well and genuinely enjoy each other’s presence.”