Life With Dogs: Wobbly Cat Learns The Joy Of Snuggles From Dog Buddy

When nine-year-old tabby cat Roberta was transferred into the care of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in Virginia, her past was a mystery. The only clues to her life before the AWLA were her host of health problems and matted fur caked with grease and dirt. Plus, Roberta is afflicted by cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), commonly called wobbly cat syndrome. It was apparent her existence hadn’t been the easiest.

But whatever her life was before, it certainly improved with the help of foster mom Asa and her dog Kona. And now, sweet wobbly cat Roberta is living the snuggle life!

Wobbling into Love

Asa has been fostering for the Animal Welfare League of Arlington for a while now. In fact, Roberta is foster number two hundred and seven! And faithfully by her side through so many of these journeys has been good dog Kona. And together, Asa and Mama Kona have readied #207 Roberta for her forever home.

Roberta came to AWLA underweight, dirty, matted, and suffering from dental disease, an ear infection, and a UTI. She was also a wobbly cat.

“Roberta has cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), also commonly called ‘wobbly cat syndrome,'” Asa explained on Instagram.” CH is caused by an underdeveloped cerebellum, the part of the brain that maintains coordination and balance, resulting in the jerky, wobbly motion.”

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“CH doesn’t cause them any pain though, and cats with CH can live the same length of time as non-affected cats.”

And even though she has a wobble in her walk and has some healing to do, “none of this stops her from being the sweetest, most affectionate, and most trusting lady.”

But as sweet a girl as she was, Roberta was a smelly cat! Asa reported Roberta arrived “greasy, heavily matted and smelly.” The stink, grease, and fur mats were easy fixes, though, with the help of a fabulous spa day at a local cat groomer.

And when Roberta arrived at Asa’s, Kona was ready to meet the newest foster recruit!

“In true Kona fashion, she ran to her carrier the moment we got home and Roberta showed zero hesitancy,” Asa told Love Meow.

Roberta happily returned Kona’s affectionate welcome with head bumps and purring! And from that first meeting, Roberta and Kona became the best of snuggle buds.