Georgina Price and Christopher Lardner were heartbroken when their senior rescue cat Herbie passed away at the age of 16, after just five months of living with them. Despite their short time together, Herbie had left a lasting impact on the couple. The silence in their Stroud, England home was deafening without him. They decided to adopt another cat, but this time they wanted to give a home to a special feline that might take longer to find a loving family, thinking of all the animals who are left in shelters with only a few months to live.
Georgina stumbled upon Toby and Quinton, two inseparable cats who were in need of a home together, during her online search back in October 2018. She was instantly smitten with their charming faces when she came across them on the RSPCA website. Although Quinton, the black and white fluffy cat, had no teeth left, and Toby, the handsome short-haired cat, had saggy skin, Georgina found their quirks to be utterly endearing.
According to Georgina, Toby, the adorable cat, was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or feline cutaneous asthenia (FCA). This condition is congenital and can make individuals and animals have fragile, loose, and stretchy skin due to a deficiency in collagen. Georgina adds that they were unaware of EDS until they discovered Toby, and they decided to provide him with a caring home as they had an abundance of love to give.
Georgina and Christopher fell in love with an unusual duo and went to visit them at the RSPCA, where they were being kept in a designated area. The pair were frightened and cowered in the corner, with Toby hiding behind Quinton and shaking with fear. Georgina recalls the overwhelming sight.
@tummyandgummy’s Instagram post features a heartwarming story about Georgina and Christopher adopting two feline brothers, Toby and Quinton. Although Georgina was only able to pet Quinton during their initial meeting due to Toby’s intense fear, the couple decided to take on the challenge of caring for the special needs cat. They welcomed both furry friends into their home and hearts with confidence and love.
@tummyandgummy on Instagram shared a heartwarming story about two cats, Toby and Quinton, who were initially nervous when they met their new owners, Georgina and Christopher. However, after settling into their new home, the bonded brothers have been thriving. Although Toby’s sensitive skin makes him prone to injury, especially during grooming or playtime with Quinton, the two cats are inseparable. Quinton even knows to retract his claws when playing with Toby and tries to clean his brother’s face whenever possible. It’s a touching reminder of the special bond that can develop between pets and their owners.
Toby finds pleasure in activities such as observing birds, entertaining himself with bouncy balls, and cuddling with his parents when he is not busy playing with his sibling. Georgina shares that Toby is fond of belly rubs, and would often position himself beside someone and stare at them, anticipating a good belly rub.
Toby has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which makes his skin less stretchy. Due to this condition, his stomach sags down to his knees. His parents are understandably worried about how the weight of this extra skin could affect his health in the long run.
Georgina, Toby’s owner, explains that EDS, the condition Toby has, can lead to joint issues, and due to his heavy skin, there is a possibility that he may face problems in the future. To avoid putting stress on his joints, Georgina and Christopher try their best to keep him from jumping from high positions. Though Toby needs additional care, including cleaning his wounds, which he detests, he is a contented cat, and his owners are pleased to have adopted him and Quinton.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare condition that not many people are aware of, but what’s even more surprising is that it can affect animals too. Georgina aims to spread awareness about this by sharing the story of her cat Toby, who has the syndrome. She hopes that by shedding light on this issue, people will be inspired to adopt cats with special needs.
According to Georgina, loving special needs animals doesn’t require any extra effort. Despite their disabilities or challenges, these animals are still gorgeous creatures with unique personalities, preferences, and the capacity to reciprocate love.
Undoubtedly, Toby has a deep affection for his parents. Georgina and Chris are grateful that they had the courage to give shelter to two cats after losing their first rescue cat, Herbie, just six months after adoption.
Georgina shares that their home lost its liveliness and warmth after Herbie’s death. However, Toby and Quinton came into their lives and brought back life, love, and joy to their household. Georgina expresses her gratitude towards the two furry companions who have become integral members of their family, and the thought of going home to them every night brings her a comforting feeling. The presence of the duo has made it impossible to imagine life without them.
The siblings, who go by the handle @tummyandgummy on Instagram, have made remarkable progress in a short span of time. They have been so inspired by the impact of providing a second chance to special-needs animals like Toby that they have decided to foster cats in the future. Georgina speaks fondly of Toby, calling him a beautiful ray of sunshine.
Follow Toby on Instagram and discover more about this cute cat. Check out the latest updates from @tummyandgummy.
