Paralyzed ‘Milou’ the Kitten Bounces Back and Helps Save Hundreds of Animals in Lebanon

What would you do if you saw a paralyzed kitten dragging itself across the ground? Would you stop and try to help them or call for help? Many folks walk on by, especially in areas where animal suffering is common. Unfortunately, such is the case for animals in many places, such as Lebanon, following an economic collapse and ongoing border conflicts. But just about everywhere, there are angels in disguise, like rescuer Sandra Mouawad, who saved Milou, a paralyzed kitten.

One day, she decided to change her life to help the animals she saw suffering around her. So when she saw Milou dragging himself before her, she didn’t hesitate to be that kitten’s angel.

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 3

Images via TikTok/Pawscrossedleb

Kitten Finds An Angel in Disguise

Early one morning, the tiny kitten’s path crossed with the rescuer from ‘Paws Crossed Lebanon,’ and everything changed! His name translates to ‘Dear,’ and he became very dear to Sandra after she found him last year.

At first, he tried desperately to get away as she walked by. 

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 4

As she tried to touch him, he lashed out, hissing and swatting.

“He wasn’t ready to be rescued, but I was ready to rescue him!” she said.

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 5

With patience, treats, and lots of TLC, the kitten started to gradually let down his guard. Eventually, he learned that she only wanted to love him and melted in her arms.

“He started to open up more and it made me realize that he needs me,” she said.

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon

 

Helping Milou Get Back On His Feet

The road to recovery would be extensive and costly both in funds and in time. But Sandra was in it for the long haul, and the kitten proved to have a “fierce” fighting spirit.

To have any chance of helping Milou walk on his hind legs again, the rescuers undertook all sorts of intense therapy sessions:

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, Milou the kitten recovered from hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 4

Whatever obstacles he faced, the strong-willed kitten climbed them. In no time, he started to use his legs more. 

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, Milou the kitten recovered from hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 1

Day after day, he proved fearless. With his rescuers’ encouragement, he eventually began walking on his own. And after two months, the transfurmation was incredible and so inspurrational! Yet there was still so much work to do.

“You put an obstacle in his face, he will conquer it!” Sandra said.

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, Milou the kitten recovered from hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 3

 

You can see the story thus far from The Dodo below:

Milou Helped Grow ‘Paws Crossed Lebanon’

Interestingly, Sandra Mouawad used to be afraid of both dogs and cats. Yet as it turned out, she fell head over heels for them. One day, she left behind her job to start saving animals after seeing so many of them suffering in Lebanon.

“The best part of life is that I love them no matter what!” Sandra said of her rescues.

Sandra Mouawad, Paws Crossed Lebanon, pawscrossedleb, Milou the kitten recovered from hind leg paralysis, physiotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy, animals in Lebanon, 2

Since 2018, she’s rescued over 200 stray dogs and cats. What she couldn’t have known was that Milou’s story would go viral on TikTok, helping her realize her dream to expand her cat shelter!

You can follow and support her on TikTok/pawscrossedleb, Instagram, and Facebook.

Video by the Dodo about Sanda and her Paws Crossed Lebanon rescue: