A Miracle For Willow

Willow is a six-month old kitten I met on Facebook who has touched the hearts of hundreds (going on thousands) of people with her inspiring story of hope.

It all started on a fiercely cold, February day in Michigan when her mom, Wendy, answered a Craigslist ad for a free "crippled" kitten. You see, while she's adorable, sweet, and loving just like any other cat, Willow's back legs are very badly deformed (possibly from an accident during birth), making it difficult, if not impossible, for her to walk.

Wendy felt an instant connection with the tiny kitten and took her home, promising to take care of her. She prayed that a doctor would be able to fix Willow's legs, but was devastated to learn that the damage was irreversible. The vet even recommended that Willow, healthy in every other way, be put down.

Refusing to give up hope, Willow and her mom persevered, and along with the support of her new online friends, raised enough money to take her to an orthopedic vet who advised that her life could be improved with a specially made kitty-sized wheelchair.

I'm happy to report that her stylin' new wheelchair arrived this week, and while she's still getting used to it, this can only signal a new start for the miracle kitten her mama calls, "Princess."

Wendy has shared Willow's story in an effort to bring encouragement and hope, and to help show that all animals deserve a chance for a healthy, fulfilling life. Watch the video above to learn more about Willow's journey, and follow her on Facebook to keep up with her progress!

As an update to Piper: The Three Legged Wondercat post I did back in March: Piper has made an excellent recovery from her surgery. Her foster mom, who posts frequent updates and pictures on her Facebook page, recently (and happily!) announced that she has made the miraculous kitty a permanent member of her household. Congrats to Piper and her new family on their purrfectly happy ending!