“Life with her is always entertaining and full of love.”
Kitten With a Brain Injury Becomes the Love of Her Mom’s Life
When Wren Yoder brought home her new kitten, Puddles, she quickly noticed something unusual. The 6-month-old tortie didn’t flinch at loud noises, didn’t follow moving toys, and seemed strangely unaware of her surroundings.
Shelter staff hadn’t mentioned any special needs, but Wren suspected her affectionate little cat might be deaf or visually impaired.
“Puddles convinced two veterinarians that she was deaf,” Wren said. “They’d kick the wall behind her as loudly as they could, and she wouldn’t so much as blink.”
Then, just a few days later, Puddles looked up when Wren spoke — and meowed back. Her vision tests also came back normal, yet she still stumbled off furniture and seemed to lose track of where she was going.
The mystery was solved when vets concluded she had likely suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), possibly from an accident before she was rescued. She also arrived at the shelter with a dislocated hip. The TBI explained her quirks: blank stares, poor short-term memory, and her own unique way of navigating the world.
Through it all, Puddles remained cheerful and calm. She loves sunbathing, hiding under blankets, and watching birds — and she has an unexpected favorite snack: popcorn.
For Wren, Puddles is more than just a pet — she’s a source of healing. In April 2024, Wren had gone to the shelter still grieving the loss of her first cat. On the floor sat a tiny black-and-orange kitten kneading a newspaper like it was the coziest bed in the world.
The moment Wren picked her up, Puddles pressed her face against hers, as if to say, “Please take me home.”
“It took 30 seconds for me to tell my fiancé to go fill out the papers,” Wren recalled. “I couldn’t bear to leave her for even a second … I was already crying.” She named her Puddles because she had melted her heart completely.
At home, Puddles adapted to her TBI in remarkable ways. She sticks close to the walls when she walks, and to turn corners, she’ll plant her front paws on the wall and pivot herself around. She doesn’t look left or right — instead, she tilts her head back to look at people upside down.
Life with Puddles is full of love and laughter. Her two cat siblings dote on her, grooming her extra since she’s not the best at cleaning herself. They also snuggle close, as if they know she needs extra care.
When Wren began sharing Puddles’ story online, messages poured in from people — especially those who are neurodivergent — saying they related to the little cat’s quirks.
Whether Puddles is losing track of her automatic feeder or forgetting where she’s going halfway to her destination, one thing never changes: her determination.
“She helped heal my heart in ways I never expected,” Wren said. “She has so much love to give in that little body of hers.”