UPDATE: Less than two weeks after capturing the world’s hearts, Ariel the paralyzed Brazilian lion has died. Her loyal owner Raquel Borges noted on Ariel’s Facebook page: “Our beloved Ariel is gone. This is the saddest day of my life.” No other details were available.
ORIGINAL: The feline, called Ariel lays paralyzed in his caretaker’s living room, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 
A Facebook page was created to raise money to treat the 3 year-old, 310 pound lion, who hurt his spine playing with balloons during one of his birthday parties.
His hind legs were affected by the surgery needed to remove the disc, a procedure that was necessary to alleviate the spinal cord compression.
Ariel was left temporarily paraplegic after the surgery. 
Physical therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and everything within the reach of the Ariel’s owners has been tried. Recently, a Brazilian television presenter, Eliana Michaelichen Bezerra, who is Ariel’s godmother, donated a hydro-treadmill to help in the treatment of Ariel.
But there is urgent need for drugs, tests, and food, so Ariel’s owners and vets are asking for support. You can’t help but love this heart warming story that shows that love comes in many different forms.
Visit their webpage, and if you can, help this Brazilian cat enjoy his other 8 lives up on his feet!
