Amputee Woman And Her Three-Legged Cat Team Up To Spread Joy Across Ohio

Lola Pearl has a heart that’s as big as her personality. This adorable dilute tortoiseshell calico didn’t have the easiest start in life, but every step of her journey has been truly inspiring.

Born with twisted back legs, Lola Pearl was a tiny kitten in need of serious help. When Juanita Mengel heard about her, she knew right away that this was a cat worth saving.

And so, things quickly started falling into place.

Mengel’s friend helped transfer Lola Pearl from a Missouri shelter to the Animal Lifeline of Iowa, which focuses on helping animals with special needs.

Since her arrival, the shelter staff were devoted to finding a solution for this adorable furball.

Soon they discovered that Lola Pearl had no bones in her ankles, which led to the decision to amputate both of her back legs. It was a tough choice but the vets knew it was the only chance for her to live a better life.

However, after months of splints and physical therapy, they were relieved to see some improvement, and they decided that only her back left leg needed to be amputated.

For Mengel, who uses a prosthetic leg herself, this felt like meant to be. She understood Lola Pearl’s struggle in a way most others couldn’t, sharing in an interview:

“She just had to have the one back left leg done. It’s funny because it’s the same leg I had done… They wanted to find somebody that knew about prosthetics, and of course, I’m an amputee that knew about prosthetics.”

Adopting this special cat was an easy choice for Mengel, and she knew it was the right thing to do.

A few months later, Lola Pearl was finally home with Mengel in Amanda, Ohio, ready to start a new chapter of her life.

Lola Pearl settled in perfectly with Mengel and her six other cats. From the start, her mom ensured she felt safe, helping her get used to the prosthetic that enabled her to move just like any other cat.

They became a perfect team: two amputees, walking through life side by side, each supporting the other in their own way.

When Mengel took Lola Pearl to an amputee conference, it became clear that this cat was destined for something greater. The attention she received was overwhelming, as Mengel shared:

“I took her down there, and she was wonderful. People loved her. They were fascinated that she had a prosthetic too. It was just great.”

Mengel quickly realized that Lola Pearl’s loving nature would make her an amazing therapy pet. Before long, she registered her as a therapy cat with Pet Partners.

With her friendly nature, Lola Pearl began visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and various other places, to provide comfort to those who needed it most. Mengel shared:

“We’ve gone to extended care facilities. We’ve visited people with mental health issues. We’ve done some hospital staff visits… Amazon wanted Pet Partners to come in, and we did a project with them.”

Lola Pearl has this amazing ability to sense how people feel. She can tell when someone’s stressed or down, and she just knows how to bring a little bit of joy into their lives.

She’s also become a big hit with kids when they visit schools. There’s something about her that instantly calms everyone, from the little ones to the elderly. Mengel shared:

“You can see people’s faces relaxing. It’s very rewarding. I get as much out of it as they do.”

It makes you wonder: how many lives could be touched if we all shared just a little bit of the kindness Lola Pearl gives so freely?