A cat took in a tiny kitten who was found in a garden all alone, and helped turn her life around.
A Good Samaritan found a calico in their garden crying for her mother who never came back to her. They couldn't leave the kitten to fend for herself and scooped her up to get her help.
Magdalena Jaźwińska, an animal rescuer and fosterer, stepped up as the kitten needed round-the-clock care and a lot of TLC. "She was about 2.5 weeks old and had been abandoned by her mother," Magdalena shared with Love Meow.
Magdalena got right to work, feeding the kitten and nursing her back to health. She has two resident cats, and one of them, Malaika the silver tabby, immediately responded to the cry of the new kitten.
A few days later, when the calico (named Mafia) was healthy and ready to meet other cats, Malaika took her in with open arms. She volunteered to be her full-time kitten-sitter and decided to take over some of the foster duties.
Malaika would stand guard whenever the kitten was getting her bottle. After each feeding, she would wash her face ever so lovingly and cuddle her to sleep.
The calico couldn't resist the rush of love from the nurturing silver tabby. She quickly melted in the rumbling purrs and nuzzled her way into Malaika's fur for some intense snuggles.
"Malaika is the friendliest animal ever. She loves every foster or rescue I bring home," Magdalena told Love Meow.
Magdalena had a dog named Sushi who used to be the surrogate mom to orphan kittens. After she passed away at 18 a few months ago, Malaika came along and quickly crept her way into her heart.
The silver tabby offered to comfort a rescued kitten one day, and has been a wonderful assistant to Magdalena with her fosters ever since.
She showers them with licks, and cuddles them all day and night so they don't feel alone.
"I am constantly amazed by how friendly and affectionate Malaika is towards my fosters. She is like Sushi (the dog) in cat fur," Magdalena wrote.
Malaika's love for the calico kitten touched many people's hearts on social media.
Whenever Mafia wanted some extra TLC, the sweet tabby would wrap her arms or body around her, reassuring the kitten that she was safe.
She was always there when the kitten needed a buddy.
The kitten learned all sorts of feline skills from her mentor, who showed her how to eat from a bowl, groom like a cat and snuggle with other kittens.
She has grown in size and cattitude, and blossomed into a sassy and playful kitty.
"Mafia would mimic everything Malaika did. When I approached the fridge, Malaika would run up to me and meow between my legs. Mafia would run after her, meow to her and walk between her feet."
When the calico was big enough for adoption, they wanted to find the perfect home for the little deserving kitten. A family with two cats of their own fell head over heels for the little girl.
"When they met, it was love at first purr."
Mafia has graduated from foster care and moved in with her forever family. Her new feline siblings are warming up to her, and her big brother Igor is starting to play with her.
The calico may be the tiniest member in her new home, but she has a big personality and a lot of love to give.
Malaika is so proud of her little graduate and is now caring for other kittens that need her.
"She hugs them, sleeps with them and cleans them, doing what she loves."
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