Bug's Story

Bug, formerly called Michael, was born in March, 2012 and came into the care of the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, in Springfield, MA, along with his brother. The brother was adopted, leaving Michael lonely. Michael wasn’t everyone’s idea of the ideal pet, having been born with Radial Hypoplasia, which results in bent legs. At one time, Michael would likely have been euthanized due to his condition. Instead, Dakin made him available to a good home.

There was an adopter for Michael, an area woman accustomed to working with special needs cats, who brought him home shortly after his adoption video was shared at the shelter’s Facebook page. Viewing the video, it’s easy to understand why his guardian felt she had to have him and give him the good home she knew she could. Bug does not need any special treatment, and, amazingly, one of his bent front legs has straightened out considerably.

Bug, then called Michal, at Dakin as a kitten in May, 2012, shortly before his adoption.

564082_446585725393734_117324702_n — *Newly adopted kitten Bug.*

Bug has a Facebook page devoted to him, where his petmom writes in introduction:

One day in may, right after my birthday, I saw Bug (then named Michael) in a video on Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society’s Facebook page and I just had to meet him. He is missing the radius bones in both of his front legs, causing him to walk on his elbows. It’s called Radial Hypoplasia. His brother had been adopted and bug was lonely.

I fell in love, of course, and took him home. I have had many years of experience with special needs cats and was prepared to make my house ‘handi-cat’ accessible for Bug, but he didn’t need any such thing! I thought I’d need to keep him away from stairs – instead, he was as pig-headed as a toddler and mastered climbing up and down in no time flat, and running up and down. He used the blanket chest as a jumping point to get on and off the bed, but these days he just jumps like a kangaroo and lands on all fours with a loud thunk. I will let him do what he wants and never assume that I know better than he what he can and cannot do. He’s a smart little monkey and if it hurts, he’s smart enough to figure out another way. I’ve known a cat with twisted back legs who’d just lift her rump up and walk on her front two – so I don’t hold the bug back.

533946_459585557427084_543439427_n — *Bug goes out in the yard on occasion, wearing his safety vest harness and leash. He explores the lawn and garden.*

318508_483321225053517_2107830726_n — Bug reflects upon the year that was. The year he was born (march 17). The year he went to an animal shelter. The year he found appeared in a video for said shelter and promptly found a home (here!). The year he instantly became the alpha as a kitten among big cats, much to the big cats’ chagrin. The year he learned to run up and down stairs and jump on and off beds and learned how to walk on a leash and box with his favorite toy and hide in a paper bag to pounce on unwitting passers-by. The year he met his girlfriend Margo and enjoyed a week cheating on me with her (hmpf!). The year he somehow straightened out one of his crooked legs much to everyone’s amazement. The year he showed me he could too jump on the kitchen table. The year he found a flushing toilet to be one of the most fascinating things in the world. The year he experienced his first pile of leaves and his first walk in the snow. The year he donned a hoodie and was not too proud. The year he did not knock down a Christmas tree. The year he got to help other kitties with ‘issues’ and show lots of people just how much a kitten can do with the challenges he was born with. And the year he got his own Facebook page and a whole bunch of new friends.

Bug out in the garden, wearing his harness and leash.

.
Bug, at home in June, running up his stairs to the bed for Greenies cat treats.

.
Buggie climbed a 4 ft tall cat tree on the back porch and had a grand time playing. The tree doesn’t have any levels for him to hop up, yet he manages to scale the entire thing.