In May 2019, Gabby and her partner decided to attend an adoption event at the Catnip Cat Cafe in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They had planned to spend a leisurely afternoon playing with adorable cats without any intention of adopting one. However, fate had other plans for them. At the event, they came across two kittens named Stevie and Meatloaf who were rescued from North Carolina after their mother was tragically killed by a car at a rest stop.
According to Gabby, the adorable kittens were brought to a foster home in Virginia by someone from Billy the Kidden Rescue after they were spotted. Unfortunately, both cats were suffering from giardia and coccidia. Moreover, Stevie had anophthalmia, a congenital disorder that resulted in him being born without eyes, making him entirely blind.
According to Gabby, the foster mother of Stevie and Meatloaf, the two cats were in critical condition and required constant care to recover. The foster mother put in a lot of effort day and night to nurse them back to good health and make them gain weight. Despite the uncertainty of their survival, the brothers fought back and pulled through. Eventually, they were deemed healthy enough to be adopted and were moved to a cat cafe to find a forever home where they could stay together.
According to Gabby, she and her boyfriend were informed by the cafe owner about Stevie, who despite being blind, was the most affectionate and playful kitten among the others. Initially, they were unable to interact with Stevie as he was busy playing with his sibling and toys, displaying no different behavior than a sighted cat. Eventually, Stevie and his brother approached the couple, with Meatloaf snuggling with Gabby, while Stevie curled up on Gabby’s boyfriend’s lap and dozed off. The lovely blind feline won their hearts with his adorable antics.
Gabby recalls how the cats cuddled up to them and dozed off for the remaining hour. The people in the vicinity even pointed out that they were selected by the feline companions. This memory stayed with Gabby for a long time.
Gabby and her partner were not expecting to adopt any cats when they visited the cafe, but they couldn’t resist the two adorable felines. However, they felt nervous about taking care of two cats with special needs as they lacked experience in this area. Despite this, Gabby felt a deep connection with Stevie and Meatloaf and decided to research tips and advice on caring for blind cats to ensure they were well looked after.
After establishing a bond with Stevie and Meatloaf, Gabby and her partner decided to adopt them the next day. Though initially nervous about caring for a blind cat, Gabby fell in love with Stevie’s playful and courageous personality. She was confident that she could help him overcome any challenges that came their way. The couple was excited to give both cats the care they needed to thrive in their new home. A heartwarming story of love and compassion towards animals.
When Gabby and her partner welcomed Stevie into their lives, they initially tried a bell on Meatloaf’s collar to assist his blind brother in locating him. However, Stevie proved to be an expert at tracking down and taking down his sibling without the need for assistance. In fact, poor Meatloaf couldn’t catch a break from his relentless brother for even a moment!
Stevie, despite being blind, is capable of doing most things that his sighted brother can do, such as leaping on and off countertops. However, it took him some time to figure out how to navigate the cat tree. Occasionally, when he gets overly enthusiastic while chasing after Meatloaf, Stevie may bump into objects or people, but it’s not a frequent occurrence.
The mental map that Stevie has created of his surroundings is something that Gabby and her boyfriend are careful not to disrupt by frequently rearranging their furniture. Nonetheless, Stevie proves to be an incredibly adaptable boy, quickly adapting to any new environment, even when the layout has changed. Gabby recalls that when they moved to a new apartment, it only took Stevie half a day to become familiar with the new space and confidently navigate through it.
Stevie, a blind cat, has a reliable support system in his mom and Meatloaf who assist him in moving up and down. However, Stevie rarely requires their help. Gabby wishes that people were aware of the simplicity involved in caring for and loving a blind cat. Some individuals perceive Stevie’s life as challenging or pitiful, while others find him intimidating.
But don’t be scared of this charming feline, as Steve’s life is far from tough or unhappy. The visually impaired cat is doing exceptionally well, and his owner Gabby has noticed that Steve is often more valiant than his sighted brother. In fact, he’s quite fearless and enjoys venturing outside in a harness, even mingling with dogs. Gabby describes him as a relaxed and courageous kitty.
Stevie is a very loving and affectionate cat who adores being in the company of his owner. He finds comfort in snuggling up close to his mom, Gabby, and can often be found dozing off on her chest or even her face.
In May 2019, Gabby and her partner paid a visit to The Catnip Cafe in Norfolk, Virginia. Although Gabby had no plans of adopting a cat – let alone two – during their visit, fate had other plans. Despite feeling uncertain about taking care of a cat with special needs, Gabby took a chance and adopted Stevie, a blind feline. Almost a year later, Gabby is grateful that she followed her heart and didn’t let Stevie’s disability discourage her. In fact, caring for Stevie has been effortless, and he has brought so much joy and love into Gabby’s life.
