Last month, a small kitten with serious injuries was brought to Frederick Co. Animal Control after a tragic lawnmower accident.
Despite his broken body, the kitten’s resilient spirit shone through, and he was soon under the care of Ellen Carozza, an experienced veterinary technician and president of the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation.
The kitten had suffered severe injuries: part of his right ear and one-third of his tail was gone, and he had cuts on his back and chest.
Most notably, both of his front legs were fractured. Despite these painful wounds, the kitten remained calm and affectionate, responding to his caregivers with purring and gentle affection.
The shelter staff quickly stabilized him, providing pain management and splints for his broken limbs, before reaching out to Ellen for help.
With expertise in rehabilitating injured kittens, Ellen and her team welcomed the little one and devised a solution for his healing process.
They crafted new splints using tongue depressors, which allowed him to move comfortably and regain the use of his legs.
Originally named Johnny Deere after the lawnmower accident, Ellen renamed him Johnny 2 Sticks, inspired by his movie-like “toothpick” splints.
Johnny warmed to Ellen immediately, showering her with affection and enjoying the extra attention. He quickly developed a healthy appetite and reveled in the cuddles that followed each feeding.
Despite his injuries, Johnny remained unbothered by the frequent adjustments to his splints. Ellen recalls that he was always upbeat, never showing signs of discomfort. “Not once did he complain or act down. He was always active, happy, and loving.”
As Johnny’s healing progressed, he showed off his skills by sliding across the floor like a mini skier in his specially designed booties. Within two weeks, he was moving more freely, and his progress was nothing short of remarkable.
After a few weeks of wearing softer splints, his legs had healed enough that Johnny no longer needed them.
His x-rays showed enough improvement for him to move forward without restrictions, and Johnny eagerly showed his gratitude by showering Ellen with kisses.
Johnny embraced his newfound freedom with enthusiasm. He quickly turned every cat bed into his hideout and made every cardboard box his fortress.
He eagerly explored the house, playfully puffing up his fur and attempting to appear bigger as he introduced himself to the resident cats. Johnny, though small, carried himself with the confidence of a lion.
Now, Johnny is fully recovered and living up to his playful reputation. He’s the mischievous one of the group, always in motion and causing harmless trouble.
His favorite pastime is bossing around the other cats and exploring every nook and cranny of his home, including tasting the bathroom tub and claiming the top of a cat tree with his unique squeeze-and-push technique.
When it’s time to rest, Johnny’s motor purr kicks in, and he peacefully drifts off to sleep. Despite his rough start in life, Johnny has proven to be a fighter with a bright future ahead.
He’s now looking for a forever home where he can rule the roost, entertain his family, and be treated like royalty.
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