Eleven years ago, Lemon, a handsome orange-tabby cat was born to a rescued pregnant starving cat suffering from distemper. Of his five siblings, only two survived.
He arrived into the world with the kitty-disability cerebellar hypoplasia. His mother’s illness prevented his brain from developing normally, so the portion that controls fine motor skills, balance, and coordination is out of whack.
Sure, it makes him a little diff-FUR-ent but it’s never slowed him down — in fact he’s become a world traveler! How many people, let alone cats, do you know that have traveled and lived across the U.S.A. and Canada, and Malawi in Africa? He often accompanies his pet parents, Merrianne and Paul, wherever they live or are purr-forming humanitarian work.
Like us, the world-wide pandemic has also affected this loving cat with ‘Lemon’ colored eyes by sep-PURR-ating him from his loved ones. He is currently being kitty-sat by a cat whisperer in Montreal who spoils him, while his mother is locked down in Toronto, and his father in Grand Cayman awaits their arrival to their new home.
If you meet this furry traveler note that he is not bilingual, but he does understand all languages spoken kindly.
“We never, for a second, considered this sweet cat to be anything other than completely his quirky self,” says Merrianne. “We have doted on him from the time he was born. He is never reprimanded for anything ever.
His walking is not very stable, he falls a lot, does not climb any stairs, and does not litter without assistance, but none of that makes him any less lovable - just a tad high maintenance.
When he wants something, he'll let you know. He will sit by his food bowl or lean into you. His meow is an abrupt sounding MAAAAAH. His purring is to die for, but you have to work for it. He is on a fairly rigid toileting schedule and hasn't had an accident in a long time.”
Lemon's a good traveler who's taken many road trips, has been to three countries, and lived in 12 apartments. Once travel restrictions are un-PAWS-ed, it will become four countries.
After one long drive, the family stopped at a truck stop. Lemon was resting outside their vehicle leaning against Merrianne, when another traveler asked, “Has your cat's legs fallen asleep?”
“A few people looked at us sideways, thinking that Lemon would run away, not knowing that he can barely scoot,” says Merrianne. “His disability makes him especially portable, so he's come on picnics and to the beach with us, no problem. He likes his blankets and favorite toys that he snuggles with. At bedtime, he curls up and stays with us all night long. In the morning, he greets me with a little paw for his breakfast. He is just so cute!”
Over the years, the family has developed an amazing network of friends, neighbors and family who love their “quirky” cat and help when his parents are traveling for work.
Dawn, one of his cat sitters said, “Lemon’s very muscular. He looks like he works out constantly, and with his cerebellar dysplasia wobbles he does. His cute walk consists of him swinging his back legs wide and using his tail for balance, like a 5th leg! I’ve never met another feline with a tail that muscular (and I once met a full-grown cougar boarded at the SPCA).”
Lemon has made his mark in the world. Wherever he is, people fall in love with his purrs-onality. He is a great ambassador who advocates for adopting special needs animals.
“Lemon is not a 'lemon’ cat,” said Merrianne. “He has been a wonderful gift whose life continues to be a powerful study of perseverance and determination.”
