When Jennifer Novak first met Coopurr (formerly known at Bideawee as "Teeny Tiny") he was a timid, sick kitten with non-healing corneal ulcers caused by the Feline Herpes Virus that threatened the loss of his right eye. However, Jennifer looked beyond his illness, and saw only affection, intelligence and a playful spirit. She knew that whatever happened with his eye, Coopurr would still grow into a wonderful cat.
Jenn was referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist in Manhattan who was very optimistic about saving Coopurr’s eye. The vet continued his regimen of eye drops and placed a special kitty contact lens in his eye, which allowed the drops to permeate the ulcer and protect the eye as it healed. Four months and several follow up visits later Coopurr was given the all-clear. The ulcer and some vision loss remains, but he has not had a single outbreak in three years. And “Coop” is just as energetic, curious, and affectionate as ever. The sick little kitten who hid under the couch when company arrived now greets everyone with his bright emerald eyes and a headbutt! It was Coopurr’s sparkling personality that led to a chance encounter with his very famous namesake.
Coopurr, as the image above suggests, is named after CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
A couple of years ago, Jenn tried to take a picture of Coopurr with her Anderson Cooper bookmark. But Coop had other ideas -- he wanted to shred it. Jenn was able to take a video just as Coopurr began swatting and chewing at his namesake’s head. A short time later, when Anderson's producers asked for pet videos from viewers, Jenn sent hers in on a whim. Their reaction to video was so enthusiastic that they included it as bonus footage on the website for Anderson's daytime show!
Coopurr hasn't allowed his brush with fame go to his head, however. He's still the sweet and playful cat he has always been. Happy, healthy, and weighing in at a long and lithe twelve pounds, he is no longer "Teeny Tiny"!
