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Meet Pico, the marvellous moggy with the moon eyes. For years this kitty had a tough life, first having to fend for himself as a stray then being hit by a car that left him in a coma for three days.
The cat, a Norwegian Forest breed, was taken into the care of a local vet in Canada and it was here mother-and-daughter duo Marie-Josee and Monica Brisson fell instantly in love with him and decided to rescue him.
Just five years after adopting the green-eyed puss, they noticed his eyes were turning grey.
“He used to have green eyes but one day he had an infection,” explains 17-year-old Monica.
The infection led to feline glaucoma, which led to blindness.
“Most of the time, he’s okay going about his days,” Monica says. “He bumps into furniture sometimes but he knows his way around the house very well."
Despite losing his sight, Pico’s milky bulging eyes have turned him into an online sensation. With more than 98 000 followers on TikTok, Monica uses the platform to document her pet’s daily life.
His eyes are small most of the time when he is indoors and only widen when he is outdoors “or when he hears the bag of treats”, Monica says.
Pico exhibits no sign of pain, which is why the family haven’t let him undergo any surgery but should he show any discomfort, “he will get the help he needs”.
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Yet Pico’s fame has also come with criticism from online trolls.
“Please stop with the abuse,” Monica pleaded in a post to people who accuse her of torturing her beloved feline. “He is very happy and I would never let him suffer or hurt him.”
Although Pico, who celebrated his ninth birthday on 18 April, is an inside cat he loves taking outdoor walks and playing in the grass.
“He’s very happy and spoilt in his home. We give him all the love and attention we have.”
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