Daniella Järphag was on vacation in April 2018 when she saw a blind kitten she would later name Lukas on a street in Cyprus. A woman was trying to feed him. Looking closer, she saw the kitten was in desperate shape.
Warning: The images of Lukas as a kitten may be disturbing.
I looked down, and I saw [a kitten] on the ground,” she told Meow AF. “I got tears in my eyes as soon as I saw him.”
“Happy Easter 🐣🐇 🥚” Images via Instagram/lukas_the_blind_cat
Saving a Blind Kitten on Vacation
Although she didn’t expect to spend her vacation rescuing a blind kitten, Lukas needed help right away. His eyes were badly infected, and he would almost certainly have died without immediate intervention.
“Booboo💓”
Right away, Daniella rushed Lukas to a veterinarian. Sadly, they found out his eyes were infected so badly that they required removal. First, he would need to get a little older before he could endure such a surgery. So, Daniella brought him to her hotel and medicated the blind kitten to combat the infection and pain.
“This is what he looked like when I found him.”
Daniella Returns to Sweden
Afterward, Daniella worked with a local rescue to find the kitten a foster home and returned to her home in Gothenburg, Sweden, over 1,800 miles away. However, she planned to bring Lukas to Sweden later after finding interest on Facebook about a potential home waiting for him.
Months went by, and Lukas grew strong in foster care in Cyprus. Now, he was ready for a reunion with Daniella after the long flight to Sweden. Initially, she helped him find a home. However, Lukas returned to her after the woman who adopted him discovered she was allergic to cats.
At that point, Lukas became a so-called “foster fail,” which means Daniella would be his human forever. It seems the blind kitten was always meant to be with her.
“Nice midsummer”
Lukas Has Surgery
Finally, Lukas was ready for surgery to remove his eyes. However, the first veterinarian she went to recommended euthanizing him because he was blind. Of course, Daniella refused, even though the vet reportedly threatened to report her for animal cruelty. Nevertheless, she found another vet willing to help Lukas, knowing he deserved a happy life.
In September 2018, he survived the procedure and recovered quickly. Today, he’s a thriving, happy cat who gets around incredibly well. Watching the videos on Instagram, Lukas navigates his world with ease.
post-surgery
Like any cat, he climbs a cat tree, plays with toys, jumps for flies, and fully knows where the refrigerator and pantry are. When he gets the zoomies, Lukas jumps around like your average cat.
At Halloween
However, he sometimes fails when he jumps for the sofa, but he bounces back unphased. To help him get to the bed, he has his own little plush stairs.
Sometimes, Daniella even walks Lukas on a leash, and he senses his environment keenly.
As he goes through life, Lukas stops to smell the flowers.
Although blind, this cat can play with a cat toy just like any other cat, sensing the movement. (see video below)
Lukas and Oskar
One of Lukas’ best friends is Oskar the dog, his older brother. Often, they are cuddled up together, playing, or even sharing a treat.
“Cozy with the doggie 🐾”
This dog is very gentle with the cat, and their affection is obvious. Sometimes, Lukas stalks the dog playfully for fun, running and pouncing.
“Best friend”
Another part of the family is a larger dog, Jellie, and Lukas holds his own, unintimidated. Lukas is cherished in this house, and Daniella loves him very much.
“He is my little baby, and I love him so much,” she said. “I always talk about him, and I love to show pictures of him. He is my child,” she told Meow AF.
For more, follow Lukas on Instagram.
Video by Meow AF:
