Meet Stevie Wonder the blind piano-playing cat

Meet Stevie Wonder the blind piano-playing cat who loves to entertain himself by tinkling the (ebony and) ivories

It may appear very su-purr-stitious but a blind cat named called Stevie Wonder really has developed a passion for playing the piano.

The musical moggie is astounding carers at Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire.

Carers believe the six-year-old  - who was found in a garden - presses on the keys because the sound helps connect him to the outside world.

Right note: Stevie the rescue cat loves to play the piano at his home in Wood Green Animal Shelter in Cambridgeshire

When Stevie, named after the famous blind American singer and pianist, was found he was flea-ridden, suffering from worms, had a hernia in his stomach and both of his eyes were missing.

Vets are unsure whether his eyes were surgically removed or he was born without them.

But after he was taken home to be cared for by one of the staff they noticed how much he seemed to enjoy listening to the piano being played.

Beverley Street, deputy manager of cat welfare at the shelter, believes the blind feline feels comforted by being able to hear the sound made by its movements.

Now the piano-playing puss now spends as much time as possible skipping across the keyboard at its temporary owner’s home.

Blind magic: It is unclear whether Stevie was born with no eyes or if its owner took the decision to have them surgically removed

Round of a-paws: Animal carers believe the six-year-old moggie - who was found in a garden - craves pushing his paws on the keys because the sound helps connect him to the outside world

CAT NAMED AFTER BLIND PIANO PLAYING MOTOWN LEGEND STEVIE WONDER

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder the cat is named after 62-year-old piano player and singer Stevie Wonder who despite being blind from birth has managed to become a global superstar with a string of hits in  career that stretches over five decades.

The singer's blindness was a result of him being born  stemmed six weeks premature.

It meant the blood vessels at the back of his eyes had not yet reached the front and their aborted growth caused the retinas to detach.

He began playing instruments at an early age, including piano, harmonica, drums and bass. During childhood he was active in his church choir.

By age 13, Wonder had a major hit, 'Fingertips (Pt. 2)', a 1963 single taken from a live recording of a Motor Town Revue performance, issued on the album Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius.

The song, featuring Wonder on vocals, bongos, and harmonica, and a young Marvin Gaye on drums, was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, making him the youngest artist to top the former in its history and launching him into the public consciousness.

His biggest hits include: Ebony and Ivory,I just called to say I love you, Superstitious, Happy Birthday to you, Isn't she Lovely, Duke and You are the sunshine of my life.

Ms Street said: 'You wouldn’t think Stevie couldn’t see. He is so playful he is like a little kitten.

'Stevie seems to enjoy the sound of the piano and often jumps up on my lap while I play.

'He has ventured onto the seat and the piano himself a few times for a little nose and a rather noisy play.

'Because he has no sight Stevie’s other senses are so heightened - his hearing is amazing.

'He loves to jump, play with fishing rod toys and explore his foster home and garden. He really is a wonder.

'Amazingly in terms of himself Stevie is well, which is why it is so surprising that he does not have eyes.'

Listening in: When the cat was found he was flea-ridden, suffering from worms, had a hernia in his stomach and both of his eyes were missing

Roll over Beethoven: Stevie was taken home to be cared for by one of the staff and they noticed how much he seemed to enjoy listening to the piano being played

Together: Animal carer Bev Street with Stevie Wonder. She said: 'You wouldn¿t think Stevie couldn¿t see. He is so playful he is like a little kitten

Making music: Stevie pads along the piano as he enjoys listening to the sounds the keyboard makes

Moving: The beautiful cat looks deep in thought as it tinkles the keys on the piano

She said she hoped the animal will be moved to a stable home soon where the furniture remains in one place so he can create a mental map in his head of the space around him.

Stevie was found by a member of the public in her garden in Bedford, on July 27 and brought into Wood Green.

Vets first treated Stevie’s flees and worms and operated on the umbilical hernia on his stomach as well vaccinating him against cat flu and enteritis.

Wood Green, which was founded in 1924, rehomes thousands of dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, rabbits, hens, ferrets and other small animals every year.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/