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Maya
Location: Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
Maya was one of two kittens we got once we had recovered from the demise of our very old cats months before. We only planned on getting one, but upon arrival at the breeder, the woman asked if we were interested in taking home two little ladies. Maya was born with flat-back syndrome. A defect in her ribs caused them to flare out, resulting in weakness and shortness of breath. The breeder said if the kitten lives past a few weeks, they should make a full recovery. Unfortunately for Maya, her defect demanded precaution and she was kept away from the other kittens and their mothers. When we brought her home, she cowered in the corner, her unusually large eyes shining like an orphan from one of those “Feed the Children” ads. It took her a year and a half to learn how to meow, and it is still a delicate mewing that could be coming from a newborn kitten. I am also happy to report that she plays with just as much energy and vigour as our other cat, without needing to take breaths. She is still the more shy of the two.
