Introducing Mochi, an absolutely adorable munchkin cat who embarked on an extraordinary adventure all the way from China to the United States. This tiny feline faced quite the struggle with a condition known as ischemic dermatopathy, which caused a deterioration in various parts of her body, including her ears, tail, and right hind leg. However, in spite of her unique appearance and ongoing physical challenges, Mochi was fortunate enough to find a loving forever home with a compassionate couple named Greg and Natalia. Hailing from the lovely city of Boston, Massachusetts, Greg and Natalia have always had a deep admiration for animals and have cherished the company of furry companions for as long as they can remember. While Mochi is their first pet together, the couple instantly fell head over heels in love with this little kitty, embracing her with open arms despite her unconventional looks. Thanks to their unwavering love and support, Mochi now revels in a life filled to the brim with happiness and comfort. Sure, she may be missing a few body parts, but her indomitable spirit remains untouched. If you want to witness the incredible bond between this extraordinary munchkin and her devoted owners, be sure to follow Mochi’s heartwarming journey on Instagram and TikTok.
Bored Panda recently had the privilege of interviewing Greg McDouglas, the proud new caretaker of Mochi, and we were eager to delve into her unique journey. Greg revealed that Mochi initially came into existence from a munchkin kitten breeding program in China. A family from the Boston area then purchased her, only to face a heartbreaking twist of fate. Shortly after becoming a part of her new family, Mochi fell victim to a mysterious ailment that eventually resulted in necrosis. The gravity of her condition forced her owners to make the difficult decision of entrusting her to an exceptional rescue shelter known as MSPCA-Angell. However, by the time Mochi arrived at the shelter, her condition had deteriorated significantly. In order to enhance her quality of life, the compassionate doctors at MSPCA-Angell had to perform several surgeries on Mochi, including the amputation of one of her hind legs, her ears, and her tail. Adding to her woes, she also contracted ringworm during this challenging period.
Following a period spent under the care of her previous guardians, they ultimately made the decision to bring her to MSPCA-Angell, an exceptional rescue facility specifically designed to provide her with the vital attention and support she required.
After embarking on a difficult journey, Mochi found herself receiving top-notch care from the shelter’s compassionate doctors for an impressive span of two months. Despite facing initial challenges, the medical team’s exceptional efforts resulted in an astonishing recovery. Throughout this time, she remained isolated while waiting for her complete restoration to good health. It was during this phase that my extraordinary animal-loving fiancée, Natalia, stumbled upon the shelter’s adoption listing and instantly fell head over heels for Mochi. Bursting with excitement, Natalia wasted no time and promptly submitted an application to adopt her. To our immense joy, the shelter contacted us the very next day, informing us that we had been chosen to bring Mochi into our caring home. Natalia’s elation was palpable. Wanting to be sensible, I suggested that we meet Mochi before making our final decision. However, the moment we set eyes on her during our visit on that unforgettable day of January 22nd, 2023, both Natalia and I were swept away by an overpowering surge of affection. It was in that instant that our hearts recognized that Mochi had found her forever place with us. And now, our cherished companion has been part of our family for a little over two months, completing our household with her unwavering spirit, despite the loss of one hind leg, both ears, and her tail due to the advanced stage of her condition.
Over a span of two months, I was provided with medical care by the shelter’s medical team and obliged to stay in solitude throughout the entire duration.
Afterwards, we became curious about the distinctive personality of Mochi and the daily activities she participates in at her new home. Greg lovingly described her as incredibly sweet, bursting with life, and constantly brimming with energy. He added that Mochi thoroughly enjoys engaging in games inside their house, such as an exhilarating session of hide and seek. Moreover, she effectively communicates her thoughts through various sounds, including a mix of meows, chirps, and squeaks. Nevertheless, Mochi’s affectionate nature truly shines when she seeks out belly rubs, head scratches, and even snuggles up on Natalia’s head while they sleep. Being the center of attention and welcoming new people are two activities that Mochi adores, fearlessly venturing into exciting escapades with her curiosity always piqued. The immense love and care they shower upon her only serves to demonstrate that bringing Mochi into their lives has undeniably been one of the most fulfilling decisions they’ve ever made, as she fills their days with an overflowing amount of love and happiness.
After receiving the necessary attention and sufficient time to recover, the shelter decided to make her available for adoption.
Natalia and Greg wasted no time in applying to adopt Mochi once they stumbled upon her listing.
The following day, the shelter contacted the family and delivered the thrilling announcement that they had been chosen as Mochi’s new forever home.
We were fascinated by the origin of this charming moniker, and were delighted to discover that it was derived from her uncanny resemblance to a delightful vanilla mochi ice cream treat! Not only that, but many folks have found her appearance reminiscent of an owl, seal, otter, cloud, potato, and even a ferret. Truly mesmerizing! The following day, our hearts were stolen by Mochi, as the couple immediately formed a profound fondness for her.
With our awareness of Mochi’s health condition, we were interested in understanding how it affects her daily activities. Greg kindly provided us with some insights, explaining that Mochi’s daily routine revolves around maintaining relaxation and minimal stress to prevent any potential autoimmune reactions. While Mochi is not permitted to go outdoors, she enjoys the freedom of moving around our home. Usually, she chooses to sleep with us on the bed or in her comfortable kitty bed close by, and surprisingly, she slumbers peacefully throughout the night. In the mornings, after having her meal, we participate in playtime to channel her endless energy. Whenever Mochi feels like engaging in a game, she cleverly vocalizes with us and entices us to join her in a fun round of hide and seek. It is truly a joy to witness Mochi’s delightful and vivacious personality come to life during these playful moments.
Greg shared the details of her playtime routine. According to him, she has an amusing habit of waiting for us to approach her, only to dash away and disappear around corners. She peeks out sneakily to see if we are following her. When we manage to catch up, the game of hide-and-seek continues. Eventually, she gets tired and happily flops onto her back, eagerly waiting for belly rubs. She also enjoys having her head scratched and affectionately licks our hands. When it comes to napping, she finds cozy spots all over the house to relax. One of her favorite activities is chasing after a laser pointer, darting up and down the stairs and racing around the entire house. It’s quite entertaining to watch her maneuver, as she tends to twist and turn like a slithering snake. Moreover, she has a unique fascination with joining us while watching TV, and she absolutely adores her wet food.
She is filled with immense affection and takes immense delight in experiencing belly rubs and tender head caresses.
We also asked if there were any specific concerns or special care needed for the cat due to her previous medical history. The owner’s response was quite reassuring, saying, “Thankfully, besides the precautions I mentioned earlier, there isn’t a significant necessity for daily special attention. She behaves just like any other regular cat; in fact, I don’t think she even realizes she’s missing any of her limbs! She absolutely loves climbing on the couch, chairs, and our bed with so much enthusiasm. And, believe it or not, she’s particularly fond of sleeping on Natalia’s head at night!”
Mochi, a sweet little 8-month-old, has been playfully nicknamed by her adoptive family as the perfect resemblance of a scrumptious vanilla-infused mochi ice cream treat.
Since the tale of Mochi took the internet by storm, the world has been captivated by this extraordinary feline. Intrigued by what it means to be the proud guardians of such a famous cat, we had the pleasure of speaking with Greg and his fiancée Natalia. Greg shared his thoughts, expressing, “We find immense joy in sharing Mochi’s story as it serves as both an inspiration and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of a cat. Despite enduring numerous challenges, from a lengthy journey all the way from China to a two-month quarantine due to illness and amputations, Mochi remains resilient and exudes pure happiness. In my eyes, Mochi embodies strength and unwavering optimism. She is the most affectionate and gentle creature, spreading love and joy wherever she goes. Our wish is for Mochi to bring smiles to people’s faces, especially during difficult times in their lives.”
Currently, she is thriving and in excellent physical condition. Nevertheless, her family needs to implement specific actions to ensure the protection of her overall welfare.
In closing, Greg stressed the immense value of spreading awareness about rescue shelters. These incredible organizations, such as MSPCA-Angell where Mochi received care, do truly remarkable work. Greg underscored the need to support and aid these organizations in their efforts. Additionally, he urged individuals to cultivate empathy and open their hearts and homes to both rescue pets and disabled animals. There are countless extraordinary animals out there who deserve affection and a forever home, Greg emphasized. He expressed his hope that those considering getting a pet would contemplate adopting a disabled animal. Taking care of Mochi involves even the meticulous task of cleaning debris from the small remaining part of her ears.
When she runs in a straight line, she encounters a small obstacle and gracefully sidesteps it, akin to the elegant movements of a snake.
Furthermore, she behaves precisely like your typical cat, having a liking for climbing up the couch, chairs, and even snuggling on the comfy bed.
Whenever Mochi is feeling playful, she confidently expresses her desires by emitting a series of charming meows, captivating the attention of her beloved humans and encouraging them to partake in her delightful antics.
Furthermore, she takes immense pleasure in accompanying Natalia and Greg for their shared TV moments.
Greg and Natalia are passionate about spreading the word about extraordinary rescue shelters that are transforming the lives of animals. Among these shelters, MSPCA-Angell holds a special significance for them, as it played a crucial role in providing exceptional care for their beloved partner, Mochi.
That’s why they made the decision to tell the tale of Mochi and encourage people to think about adopting animals that have disabilities.
Our beloved furry friends definitely deserve some extra care and attention, but the amazing thing is that they shower us with an overflowing amount of love and affection in return.
As per Greg’s perspective, the addition of Mochi to our household has proved to be an unmatched decision, showering us with unending love and joy, constantly enriching our lives.
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