After the Smart family lost their beloved dog, Summer, in 2017, they found solace in spending extra time with Darwin, the senior cat they had adopted over a decade earlier. Stacey fondly recalls how Darwin, originally a lively kitten, quickly became a cherished member of their family, forming a special bond with everyone, including Summer.
Stacey recalls how her dog, Darwin, always tried to playfully put his little kitten companion’s head into his slobbery mouth. Despite having energetic young children at home, Darwin’s charismatic personality made sure he was always the center of attention.
The relationship between Darwin and his family deepened over the years, becoming stronger and stronger. After the unfortunate passing of Summer in 2017, Darwin became the focal point of his household, receiving an outpouring of love and attention.
According to Stacey, Darwin started spending more time with them, playing on their bed and sitting on their laps. It was during this time that they noticed something unusual about one of his eyes. Worried about Darwin’s health, Stacey and Ryan took him to the vet in August 2017. The vet diagnosed the 12-year-old cat with glaucoma and recommended Dr. Hanks at Kindred Spirits in Orrington, Maine for further treatment.
Stacey recalls the numerous vet visits in an attempt to resolve Darwin’s eye issue without surgery. Eventually, they had to resort to sewing his third eyelid shut, making him wear a cone, and administering three types of drops four times a day. Despite the unpleasant routine, Stacey and her husband were committed to saving Darwin’s eye. Unfortunately, in October 2017, Darwin developed a bullous keratopathy, described by Stacey as a “super gross bubble on the cornea,” prompting the decision to remove the affected eye for his long-term well-being.
According to Stacey, the surgery was a success and Darwin transformed into a whole new cat within a week. He became more energetic and playful than ever before after feeling better. Just like he easily adjusted as a kitten, Darwin quickly adapted to being a one-eyed cat. Soon after the surgery, his family welcomed Mitchard, a new feline companion, to keep him company.
The friendship between the two blossomed over the next year, but things took a turn in October 2018 when Darwin’s one eye became cloudy. Stacey had a hunch it might be glaucoma and didn’t want her senior cat to lose his sight completely. She wasted no time scheduling a vet visit for Darwin and delved into online research about caring for blind felines.
Stacey noticed a lack of information online about blind cats and turned to Instagram to find support for her blind kitty, Darwin. After connecting with other caregivers of blind cats, Stacey felt reassured that Darwin could live a happy life without vision. When Darwin was diagnosed with glaucoma for the second time, Stacey and the vet decided that surgery was the best option for the resilient ginger cat to continue thriving.
Stacey shared on Instagram that the vet recommended removing Darwin’s remaining eye to help him adjust better to his loss of vision. Without any vision, Darwin would have to rely on his other senses to navigate his surroundings. In addition to the eye surgery, Darwin also underwent dental surgery at the same time, making his recovery quite challenging. He had trouble eating and needed a feeding tube for a few weeks.
In January 2019, Darwin was starting to show significant improvement and was adjusting well to his blindness. Despite some initial bumps into things, Stacey mentioned that they made sure to keep clear paths for him to navigate through the house.
Thanks to his incredible resilience, Darwin quickly adapted to being blind and now, months later, has no difficulty locating his food, bed, litter box, or his human and animal companions in the house, such as his new feline sibling, Mabel.
According to Stacey, Darwin is still enjoying his toys and getting a good scratch on his scratching post. He loves to sleep near his feline friends and doesn’t mind sharing his food and treats with them.
Darwin, on the other hand, is not a fan of being lifted and moved to a different room. Stacey mentions that he gets confused about his surroundings when this happens. He also doesn’t appreciate it when Mabel or Mitchard surprise him, so they now wear collars with bells to prevent them from sneaking up on their older sibling.
Despite these minor challenges, Darwin is thriving and living his best life. Even though he is visually impaired, he still manages to playfully attack his family’s hands and feet and bask in the sun by the window for a peaceful nap. According to Stacey, Darwin also has a love for catnip toys, being brushed, mealtimes, and treats. His anticipation for treats is evident, as he eagerly searches for any sound of a package being opened, hoping it’s a treat bag for him to indulge in.
The photo shared by @orange_darwin on Instagram shows Darwin looking happy and content. Many people may not realize that blind cats can lead joyful and active lives. Darwin, a handsome senior cat, serves as a great example of this. He is an ambassador for blind cats, especially those who lose their sight later in life. Stacey and her family are proud to help Darwin spread his inspiring story.
Stacey shared, “We had to inform our loved ones about our blind cat, as many were surprised to learn that a cat can live happily despite having no eyes.”
Fortunately, Darwin’s family has always believed in his resilience and ability to overcome challenges, making him a source of inspiration for those who have watched him grow from a small kitten. “Darwin is our fearless leader. He is the symbol of strength and independence for our family,” Stacey expresses. “In our home, Darwin reigns as the ultimate ruler and always will.”
