A Miracle for Miracle

Another tiny being has captured my heart and soul—Miracle, a sweet natured, gracious, little kitten. Although Miracle is only about two months old, he’s developed quite the personality—with energy to match. Soon he will be available for adoption, and we’re hoping to find him the perfect home that he deserves.

Miracle arrived at Nevada Humane Society in June, only weeks old and already facing quite the dilemma. He was small, his whiskers were missing, his ears were dirty, and he was hungry—very hungry. He was in distress because he was somehow tied up in a tarp and unable to move. The tarp was wrapped so tightly around him it was cutting off circulation in his front leg, keeping it pinned to his side and bent at an unnatural angle against his body. Our veterinary team was able to gently untie the tarp but his front leg was injured—it remained bent and close to his body. X-rays determined it was not broken or fractured, but he wouldn’t walk on it, or use it. He needed foster care and special treatment, and I was the lucky one who took him home that night.

Our little guy was given strict orders of cage confinement, but we didn’t have the heart to actually keep him in his kennel. Although we didn’t let him run around or play hard, we did set him on the couch between us for some serious snuggle time. He instantly looked at us gratefully, and we knew he was going to make a big difference on our lives. Brandon, my amazing fiancé, went right to work on him, using physical and massage therapy on his injured leg. Only minutes after our first touch his little paw jerked—a sign that he still had feeling despite the nerve damage. Fast forward several days… both of us were offering him as much as we could do, determined to help the little guy. It was an amazing feeling too, because after each massage, he looked up at each of us, eye to eye, with an expression so thankful that words can’t describe it. He knew we were helping him, and he wanted to make sure we knew he understood.  We worked with him every night, and the first time he stretched his leg out straight and flexed his paw it made me cry. This… was truly saving a life.

Miracle was given his very own miracle. In the beginning amputation became an option but Brandon was not taking that well. Actually, neither was I, but I see so many animals with three legs that I knew it would be ok if it had to happen. I’m glad he was the strong though, because his time spent with Miracle gave him the second chance he deserves. Miracle went from no use in his front leg to full use, with no sign that anything ever even happened.

Now, a month later, he romps and plays like any other kitten. He has bonded with us immensely and we have never had a kitten that so openly expressed emotion. He is truly grateful for us helping him get back in communication with his tiny leg, and it’s as if he isn’t taking anything for granted anymore. He’s gaining weight, he plays rough with his foster brother Arwyn (who, mind you, is nearly 2 years old!), and cuddles up to us whenever he finally tires out. When he only had the use of one front leg he learned to use his back legs more so than normal… as well as his left front paw. Now that he has the use of all four legs and paws it’s amazing to see what he can do—it’s like he’s one giant catcher’s mitt. Toss him a toy and the whole body opens for the catch!

Miracle is beyond adorable, shares his emotions and voice with confidence, and is very happy to have found humans who care. While we don’t know what happened to him, we do think it wasn’t his fault that he got caught up in a tarp. He has a mild fear of new situations, and tends to be really shy upon first meeting other people, so we still know that whatever happened made him cautious of humans. He needs a family who will be patient with him, and allow him to adjust to new surroundings slowly, but we have no doubt he’ll make a wonderful little Guardian Angel of a pet, looking over everyone around him and offering gratitude in everything he does. Miracle has been given his own little Miracle… and now he just needs the final happy ending of a new home.

If you’re interested in bringing Miracle into your family, or maybe you know someone else who is looking for a brave little kitten, please, let me know. Email me at kchandler@nevadahumanesociety.org so we can learn more about you, and you, about little Miracle. Hopefully our little man will be on his way to a new home before we know it!