Social Media Rescue Cats Share Message Of Strength & Love

Dorito, a one-eyed orange cat, has captured millions of hearts on Instagram. His adorable appearance pulls people in and his heartwarming story keeps them coming back for more.

Along with his rescue brothers, Ziggy and Herbie, the trio of sweet disabled kitties share an important message while entertaining their fans on social media.

Owner Michelle Babineau of Halifax Nova Scotia recalls meeting Dorito for the first time and falling in love.

"In 2017, I received a call from my aunt regarding an injured cat that had been spotted on her friend's farm. When I first saw Dorito, I immediately fell in love with him and knew I had to adopt," Babineau exclusively told The Blast. "He had the cutest little face and the sweetest personality."

Babineau said that she quickly noticed that one of Dorito's eyes was not in great shape, so she took him to the vet without delay. The vet told her that Dorito had a corneal ulcer that was beyond repair and unfortunately his eye had to be removed.

"Further examination revealed the extent of Dorito's injury. His eye had been left untreated for at least a year. He was also treated for an ear infection," she recalls.

"Dorito adopted to my care almost immediately and even slept beside me that very night. After his surgery, Dorito recovered rapidly and continues to live life to the fullest, exhibiting boundless energy and showing no signs of impairment."

Dorito's personality is part of the reason he attracts so many fans on Instagram. Of course, the other part is his adorable face. While the page currently has nearly 50,000 followers, one of his recent posts received more than 3 million likes.

"There are various reasons why I think people are drawn to Dorito's Instagram page. Firstly, I think his distinctive and adorable appearance immediately captures attention and sparks curiosity among viewers," Babineau told The Blast.

"In addition, his quirky personality adds charm and likability. I believe many individuals have a fondness for disabled animals, which inspires them to follow Dorito's journey and show support for his resilience and perseverance."

Babineau said that Dorito's personality is unique from any other cat she's ever known. He's got energy for days and loves playing with anything and anyone.

"Even if there's nothing to play with, he'll improvise and find a way to entertain himself. Watching him chase his own tail is a particular highlight, as he gets so invested in the game that he'll start hissing at his own tail," she said.

"It's hard not to be amused by Dorito's antics, and he brings a fun and lively energy to our home. His playful nature is infectious and it's hard to resist his enthusiastic invitations to play. Dorito is a true character."

When one particular post on Instagram went viral, Babineau said she was ecstatic about the response over something so heartwarming.

"There's nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that others share the same level of appreciation for my beloved feline companion," she said.

"It was truly heartwarming to see the number of people who expressed their admiration for Dorito, and it made me feel even more grateful to have such a special animal in my life. It was a joy to see so many individuals express their love for my furry friend."

Babineau said if Dorito could talk, she imagines he would be a complete charmer because of his gentle and appreciative nature.

"I envision him as a positive and optimistic feline, always looking for the good in every situation and eager to spread joy and positivity to those around him," she said.

"Knowing his love of food, Dorito might also use his newfound voice to try and persuade us to let him indulge in more treats and delicious meals, perhaps insisting that he has already achieved an ideal weight and no longer needs to worry about dieting."

Dorito also shares his life with his rescue brother Herbie, who is also a one-eyed cat, and Ziggy, who has three legs. The three cats are bonded for life and even have a specific meow for each other.

"Herbie and Dorito have an unbreakable bond, a true example of soulmates. Their communication is so strong that they even have a specific meow for each other," she said.

"As for Ziggy and Dorito's relationship, they too also have a strong bond, however, sometimes Ziggy can get annoyed with Dorito's persistent need for cuddles and lack of personal space."

But all in all, the three adorable brothers get along well and are thriving together.

"All three of them have found love and are flourishing in their second chances at a happy life," she said.

Babineau wants people to know that adopting a disabled animal is an incredibly rewarding experience. Despite their disabilities, these sweet animals are just as loveable as any other.

"They are resilient and have amazing adapting skills, not allowing their disability to hinder their daily activities or limit their capacity to bring joy to their owners," she said. "By opening our hearts and homes to these animals, we can experience the beauty of unconditional love and the satisfaction of providing a deserving creature with a loving home."

She explained that while life for a three-legged cat can be a challenge, with the right support and care, they are able to lead happy, thriving lives. Life of a one-eyed cat can also be challenging, but not as much as people might think.

"A three-legged cat can still enjoy all the same activities as their four-legged counterparts, such as playing, cuddling and exploring; Ziggy is no exception," she said. "Cats are highly adaptable creatures. They eventually learn to compensate for their loss of depth perception due to having one eye."

Babineau told The Blast that Dorito's story of overcoming his hardship may resonate with some of their followers, and maybe inspire them to overcome their own challenges.

"Overall, giving a loving home to a cat in need is very rewarding as special needs cats often have a harder time finding a forever home," Babineau said.

"I hope his page provides a source of entertainment and inspiration for many. Ultimately, the goal is creating a positive community that celebrates the joy of companionship with furry friends."