Meet Happy, the adorable Bengal cat whose zest for life remains undiminished despite being paralyzed for most of her existence. Since her early days as a newborn kitten, a traumatic incident involving another cat left her with paralyzed back legs. However, Happy’s owners have not let this disability hinder her from enjoying life to the fullest. At eight months old, Happy continues to embark on daily adventures, with her owners creatively finding ways to enhance her mobility and comfort.
Sarah, a warehouse operative, shared, “My partner and I got Happy as a rescue, knowing she’d need a lot of help and care, but still can’t believe how strong she is. We decided to get her a custom wheelchair to help her run freely, but she’s not really a fan.” Undeterred, they repurposed a bit of material into a sling, allowing Happy to place her legs inside. Surprisingly, she took to it immediately, serving both as an aid for her and a harness for her owners, ensuring she doesn’t scoot away on her front paws without their knowledge.
The couple takes Happy everywhere with them, from caves and nearby lakes to trips to the shops and petting zoos. However, Happy’s favorite place is the beach, where she joyfully wiggles in the sand. Sarah expressed, “The beach has really given her a new lease of life. Watching her tackle the different terrains and sand, you can see how determined she is and how much freedom the sling gives her. She’s getting stronger every day.”
Despite her disability, Happy has become a local celebrity, attracting attention wherever she goes. Sarah mentioned, “We always get people stopping us to take pictures with her and say how cute she looks. We took her to a car boot sale once, and we were there for hours just talking to people about her. Occasionally, we’ll get a few people who are shocked she’s a cat and not a dog because of how active and playful she is.”
Happy’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the boundless joy that can be found in embracing life’s adventures, no matter the challenges.