A tuxedo cat with a smooth coat and an adult boxer dog rest on a pink blanket under natural daylight in a cozy home living room. 2:10
Orlando Sentinel channel icon Orlando SentinelOriginal creator 3.7M views Save

Paralyzed kitten and the dachshund at her side

Someone left a little dachshund and a paralyzed kitten at the end of a driveway in Osteen, Florida. They were found together, and they have stayed that way. more

Animal Services picked them up and took them to Animal Control. From the start, the two were "pretty much inseparable." The dachshund absolutely loves the kitten, a black-and-white girl with green eyes and health problems anyone can see.

A black-and-white cat with green eyes looks forward, surrounded by colorful toys and soft blankets. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Ruth, the paralyzed kitten, was found at the end of a driveway with her dachshund friend.

She can hardly move on her own, and seeing her try is the part people find hardest to watch. But here she is, tucked into soft blankets with bright toys all around her.

The staff at Hollywood Hounds, who took the pair in, named them Idgie and Ruth after characters in "Fried Green Tomatoes," because of the bond they share. "I don't know that we've seen anything quite like this, with a cat and a dog," says one of their caretakers. "This is pretty special."

A woman with brown hair looks forward with her mouth slightly open, as if she is speaking. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
A caretaker at Hollywood Hounds explains why the staff named the pair after "Fried Green Tomatoes."

Every time Idgie gets a new toy, she carries it over to Ruth. "They pretty much share everything," the caretaker adds.

A tuxedo cat with a smooth coat and an adult boxer dog rest on a pink blanket under natural daylight in a cozy home living room. The headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Someone left a little dachshund and a paralyzed kitten at the end of a driveway in Osteen, Florida.

Idgie looks out for her friend, too. When a new dog comes in, she is first on the scene, making herself the buffer between that dog and the cat. The pair spend their days in a pen, so Ruth is never in danger, but Idgie stands guard anyway.

Hollywood Hounds handles adoptions through Animal Services, and other rescue groups call when an animal needs a little extra attention. This time the staff kept the pair for themselves. "We're making up for lost time," she says.

As she puts it, the two have about 14 mommies there. Idgie gets a smooch every time she goes out, and someone is always babying Ruth. Customers come in just to see them and pet them, and some have even brought them Christmas gifts.

#kittens#animalrescue