Weeping willows grow near streams and rivers.

But a laughing Willow is rooted and grounded in love.

The silver kitten started out on rocky ground. Willow was born paraplegic, with her back legs splayed like fallen branches. Perhaps that’s why her mother abandoned her, just as summer’s leaves fell to autumn’s chill. Animal control found the little sapling and grieved her plight.

But Willow was not weeping.

The tiny orphan’s eyes glittered with hope. At the smallest show of kindness, she lit up like a Christmas tree. Why slump in the swamp of self-pity when the world was so exciting? Sure, she couldn’t move like other kittens … but she could scoot, and frolic, and chirp like the bluebird of happiness in any arms that would hold her.

There was just one problem. There are few nests in this world for a baby like Willow.

But there is a place where kittens with needs are blessings, not burdens. There is a Lobby full of sunbeams, where paraplegic cats live the dream of being loved exactly as they are.

And there was a spot just waiting for Willow on the Tabby’s Place family tree.

Today, Willow has roots as deep as love itself. The smallest trees can grow the sweetest fruit, and Willow cultivates grace and goofiness in abundance.

Though she is the youngest and smallest of our paraplegics, she leads the fun and mischief like a guiding star. It is the height of hilarity to watch cats twice her size follow everywhere she leads, smitten and wonderstruck.

Can you blame them? In the presence of Willow, everyone feels a little taller … and a lot more hopeful. When a giggly grey tabby dances figure-eights around your ankles, or purrs all warm and cozy in your lap, you don’t need to leave the ground to know the sky’s the limit.

Willow is such a wonder, we are confident the right adopter will come and pluck her from our Lobby. But we know that will have to be someone as steadfast as an oak.

In the meantime, we’re thrilled that Willow is our little tree of life at Tabby’s Place. Our staff gently expresses her bladder three times a day, and bathes and diapers her to keep her clean and healthy. We’re also vigilant at the first sign of urinary tract infections (to which paraplegic cats are prone), and we provide Willow with a high-quality diet to grow as strong as a sequoia.

It’s an honor to provide for Willow’s needs, and she gives immeasurably more than we could ever repay. But we need people like you in our family tree so we can always be here for her. Please sponsor her today. Rooted in your love, Willow will never need to weep.