Wheatie, a black cat with piercing yellow eyes, isn’t fond of strangers—or other animals. But she’s utterly devoted to her 19-month-old sister, Zelda, who happens to be blind.
From guiding Zelda down hallways to curling up beside her at night, Wheatie has become the toddler’s constant companion and protector. Their unexpected bond began the moment Zelda came home—a surprise to their family, given Wheatie’s typically aloof nature.
An Instant Connection
When Alexis Wiggins and her husband brought Zelda home, Wheatie—their youngest and most unpredictable pet—was the only one of their three cats and dog who willingly stayed near the baby.
“As Zelda started engaging more, Wheatie wouldn’t run. She’d just lay there while Zelda petted her head, tail—everything,” Wiggins told The Dodo. “She wasn’t scared at all.”
Now, Wheatie is far more patient with Zelda than anyone else in the household. She nudges the toddler gently, leads her to specific spots, and even “zooms in out of nowhere” to shield her from the other pets.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Zelda’s blindness was discovered at just five weeks old after her parents noticed her eyes were red and swollen. Initially misdiagnosed with allergies, she was later found to have chronic bilateral detached retinas—a relief compared to the initial fear of life-threatening eye cancer.
“It feels like a blessing when you thought before they had cancer … that they could die,” Wiggins said.
A Feline Guardian
Though it’s unclear if Wheatie fully grasps Zelda’s blindness, their bond is undeniable. The cat rubs against Zelda’s legs, bumps her head affectionately, and even senses when the toddler is looking for her at bedtime.
“Zelda gets fussy like, ‘Where’s my buddy? I don’t have my sleeping pal,’” Wiggins shared.
As Zelda prepares for her first mobility cane in the coming weeks, Wiggins jokes about Wheatie becoming her “seeing-eye cat.” Whether or not the feline is up for the task, one thing is certain: this pair is inseparable.
“When they’re together and don’t realize I’m watching—that’s my favorite,” Wiggins said. “It’s just two young, lovey creatures bonding.”
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