Ricotta's Story: My Three-Legged Wonder

Ricotta, otherwise known as "shark boy," "little ricky," or "Ricky," is my baby boy. He was born sometime around March 31, 2026, and only three weeks after he was born he was attacked by an unknown predator. That animal left his left front limb in shambles, and he was then brought to VEG ER. At VEG, they were able to successfully save him by amputating his injured limb. They did a forequarter amputation (full shoulder amputation), where they took his entire front leg as well as his scapula (shoulder blade). He would forevermore be a tripod kitty.

This is the first photo I ever saw of Ricky on the PAWS Atlanta Instagram

I was at work one day at the animal hospital, and I saw a post from PAWS Atlanta, a nearby rescue organization, that detailed Ricotta's journey and that he would need a home. I immediately applied to foster to adopt him. He was too young at the ~5 weeks of age that I got him to adopt him yet, because he had to be neutered first.

The very first photo I took of Ricky when he got home - he is a hungry little guy!

I called a day or so after I applied to check in on my application status; they told me that an adoption application had already been accepted, and that Ricky had found his forever home. I was left a little bit sad after hearing the news because I felt immediately connected to him from his pictures, but I knew it was a good thing that he found a home. Little did I know...the adoption application that had been selected was actually mine. The lady on the phone and I had no clue it was me who was accepted.

Later that day I got an email to set up an apartment inspection by one of their team members to confirm I was a good fit. It was all good, and we set up a date for me to come pick up Ricotta about a week and a half later, plenty of time for me to set up for a new kitten.

Here is is laying on me, you can see where they shaved him for his surgery. He warmed up so fast.

When I got Ricotta, he was a little shy at first, but within just a day he opened up his big personality to my dog and I. He was and is still the most spunky, outgoing cat I have ever met. He was absolutely perfect for George, my dog, and I.

The "stairs" I built him out of books to get into his litterbox.

A few adaptations to the house set-up had to be made to accommodate the teeny tiny little man, as he was less than a pound and could fit in the palm of my hand when he came home. My favorite of which being the book stairs I made for him to climb up into his litter box and onto the couch. He was just so itty bitty!!

He had no issues, however, with walking or running once he got the hang of it. I have learned so much from this resilient little guy; animals are just so incredible. I know that it would take me much longer to get over losing a limb than it did Ricky and most other animals.

Speaking of resilience, even older animals show how incredibly fast they can adapt to losing a limb. We had a 12 year old dog come into the clinic with osteosarcoma for an amputation of a back limb, and later the same day after the procedure he was running out of the hospital. I was in pure shock as I held him back from a full sprint on the way to check out - not at all expecting him to even be fully walking the same day.

Ricky has been the best addition to our little family. I can't believe he was once less than a pound and could fit in the palm of my hand. Now, I often refer to him as "shark boy" because he is constantly biting my friends and I out of nowhere, as seen in the picture to the left where I am reacting to one of these bites (this one being aimed at my nose LOL). I forgive him though because I think he is compensating for not being able to bat at us with his front limbs by using his teeth instead.