Fortunately, on May 9, 2014, Suzi brought Bifford home and fell head over heels for this special needs cat. She and her husband decided to adopt him. Bifford, clumsy yet affectionate, became an integral part of their lives, embracing the ‘clingy’ lifestyle attached to his loving family. Suzi knew that being an adult black cat with special needs would make it challenging for Bifford to find a forever home, but she was confident they could provide him with the care, time, and attention he needed to thrive.
Initially, Suzi found it challenging to resist the urge to coddle Bifford, given his balance and coordination issues due to cerebellar hypoplasia. However, she gradually realized that Bifford was unlikely to hurt himself and didn’t require constant protection. She learned that, like toddlers, it was acceptable to let him stumble and fall, as long as she was there to offer support and encouragement for him to get back up and continue.
Nearly seven years later, Bifford is thriving, despite his wobbles while walking. He’s exuberant and content, surprisingly self-reliant, which Suzi attributes to her less ‘helicopter’ approach to his condition.
