The Friendship Between an Earless Cat and a Woman Struggling with the Aftereffects of a Car Accident

[FAM Times, reporter Woo Ji-young] The heartwarming story of an earless cat and a woman suffering from the aftereffects of a car accident who comforted each other's wounds is drawing attention.

According to animal-focused media outlet Love Meow, Otitis, a cat now over nine years old, developed a massive cyst due to a severe middle-ear infection while living with his former owner.

Unable to afford treatment because of financial difficulties, his former owner sent Otitis to a rescue organization. By then, the window for treatment had passed, and Otitis ultimately had his ears removed and lost his hearing.

Because his ears were gone, it seemed that no one wanted to adopt Otitis.

Molly Lichtenwalner, then a graduate student, was suffering from an anxiety disorder following a car accident. Perhaps because she had grown up with cats on her parents' farm, however, Molly felt calm whenever she was with a cat.

One day, Molly visited an adoption event at a shelter and spotted a cat. It was Otitis, and the fact that he had no ears and could not hear was not a major obstacle for her.

Molly adopted the cat, and the two went on to become soulmates who comforted each other's wounds.

Expressing her love for Otitis, Molly said, "Otitis is the only one who can calm me down. He is the best cat I have ever met. I didn't rescue him; he rescued me."

Reporter Woo Ji-young, wjy@famtimes.co.kr