Disabled Kitten In Los Angeles Faces Life With Courage After Losing Her Siblings
Special needs cats often face bigger challenges than most, but what makes them so remarkable is how they never let those challenges define them. They give love as freely as any other cat, and their bravery and determination inspire everyone around them.
One such incredible feline is Pretzel, a young white cat from Los Angeles whose story has touched hearts all over the world.
Pretzel’s journey began in heartbreaking circumstances. Alongside two siblings, Curly Sue and Oliver Twist, she was abandoned at a Los Angeles city shelter when the kittens were just hours old.
The newborns, still with their umbilical cords attached, needed immediate help. The shelter lacked the resources to care for such fragile lives, and given their deformities, euthanasia was suggested as the only option.
But for rescuer Laura Hawthorne, who has dedicated years of her life to saving animals, giving up was never on the table.
Laura, a longtime volunteer with Kitten Rescue in Los Angeles, has helped over 275 cats find loving homes. She knew she had to step in for these kittens.
“I got them home, umbilical cords still attached, and started them on formula, fluids, and antibiotics.”
Despite Laura’s tireless care, tragedy struck early. Tiny Oliver, the frailest of the three, didn’t survive.
Soon after, Curly Sue was diagnosed with skeletal deformities and a heart defect. Laura did everything she could, but Curly Sue later passed away from a sudden heart attack. As Laura shared on Instagram:
“She took a piece of my heart with her.”
That left Pretzel, the last of the “Three Meowsketeers.” Laura worried about her survival too, but Pretzel proved to be stronger than anyone expected. Against all odds, she grew, thrived, and began to show her unique personality.
Pretzel’s mobility issues made life more challenging, but she didn’t let them stop her. She wrestled with other cats, chased toys, and explored her world with endless curiosity.
When she wasn’t burning energy with play, she transformed into a loving snuggler, eager to curl up with those she trusted.
She had skeletal deformities, including missing bones in her legs and knees, but none of that kept her from enjoying life. As Laura proudly explained,
“Pretzel proves that you don’t have to be ‘perfect’ to live a PURRFECTLY happy life.”
Cats with disabilities are often overlooked by adopters. Laura worried that Pretzel might never find a permanent home, despite her charm and courage. But Pretzel’s spirit was too bright to ignore.
She quickly captured hearts everywhere, including the heart of Michelle, the woman who would become her forever human.
Michelle had been searching for the right cat when she came across Pretzel’s story. The moment she saw her, she knew Pretzel was the one. She fell in love instantly and was determined to give her the loving, secure home she deserved.
Today, Michelle has no regrets about her decision. Pretzel has brought joy, laughter, and inspiration into her life. Caring for a special needs cat can require extra patience and attention, but Michelle says Pretzel is worth it all.
Pretzel’s story shows how resilience and love can overcome the hardest beginnings. She may have been born different, but her heart, courage, and determination make her extraordinary.
From a fragile kitten abandoned at birth to a cherished companion in a forever home, Pretzel proves that every cat deserves a chance to shine.
For Laura, Pretzel remains one of the most unforgettable cats she has ever rescued. And for Michelle, Pretzel is living proof that sometimes the most special companions are the ones who don’t fit the traditional idea of “perfect.”
