Sarah’s journey with her special needs cat Harley began in a moment of profound emotional synchronicity.
After losing her beloved cat Elliot in November 2023, Sarah’s heart was deeply wounded, the grief more intense than she had anticipated.
In April 2024, while visiting the Shabby Tabby Cat Cafe on Long Island, Sarah was unexpectedly drawn to a wobbly, year-old cat that bore a striking resemblance to her other cat, Lily.
“She was just the sweetest, cutest little thing,” Sarah recalled.
The moment she held the cat, something extraordinary happened.
“I started crying,” shared Sarah with We Love Cats and Kittens. “She was sitting right underneath a photo of my cat Elliot that passed away.”
Sarah and Elliot
The cat’s connection to Elliot ran deeper – the cafe had also rescued Elliot’s sister Mushi.
“It just felt very meant to be,” Sarah reflected. “We felt like Elliot definitely led us to her.”
Originally named Moonlight, the cat had been rescued from the New York City shelter system.
A compassionate stranger had noticed her unusual wobbliness and brought her in, recognizing something wasn’t quite right about a cat struggling outside alone.
Sarah had long been fascinated by cats with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), a condition affecting the cerebellum and causing persistent wobbliness.
“I’ve always wanted a cat with this condition,” she explained. The cat was renamed Harley – a tribute to both her constant purring “motor” and the spirited Harley Quinn character.
“She’s just incredible – nothing stops her,” Sarah said. Harley, born with her condition, moves through life with remarkable enthusiasm, unaware of any limitation.
Without teeth due to congenital issues, she remains a food enthusiast, particularly drawn to sweet and cinnamon-flavored treats.
“She’ll smack a bag of food right out of your hand,” Sarah laughed.
Despite her physical challenges, Harley navigates her world with remarkable determination.
When motivated by food, she’ll use nearby stairs to climb surfaces she typically cannot access. “It’s really a matter of how interested she is,” Sarah explained.
More than just a pet, Harley became a healing presence.
“She’s helped heal our broken hearts after we lost Elliot,” Sarah shared. “She makes us smile. She makes us laugh. She’s got endless energy.”
Sarah’s message extends beyond her personal story. “Special needs cats can really thrive when they’re in the right environment,” she emphasized.
Patience is key, as these cats can be messy, struggle with litter boxes, and frequently fall over. But for those willing to provide understanding and love, the rewards are immeasurable.
“Thank you to anyone that’s adopted a cat like Harley,” Sarah concluded.
“It’s the best decision we made welcoming her into our home, and we wouldn’t want her any other way.”
In Harley, Sarah found not just a pet, but a companion that has given her joy, and showed her the unexpected ways love can enter our lives – wobbling, purring, and full of heart.
Check out Harley and her “wobbles” in the video below:
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