A kitten had her life turned around when a couple took her in along with her brother so they could thrive together.
Two tiny week-old kittens were found in a neighborhood of Las Vegas without a mother in sight. They were brought to a local animal rescue, desperately needing foster care. Patricia Lika, an experienced kitten fosterer, stepped up to help when she saw the plea.
A few days later, Patricia noticed that the kittens were dealing with neonatal ophthalmia, an infection of the unopened eyes. She immediately started treating them with multiple daily warm compresses, eye medication and antibiotics. "This is the reality of kittens born in the streets in filthy environments to young moms or moms who had litter after litter," Patricia shared with Love Meow.
The brother and sister duo (Grogu and Leia) cheered each other on in their comfy, warm nest. Grogu would rub his face against his sister as if to try to comfort her.
Leia the tuxedo didn't respond to the treatment and was struggling with one of her eyes. "We had some major concerns and thought her eye might have been damaged too much."
Despite the challenge, Patricia was determined to do whatever it took to save her eye. "We got another consultation and stronger eye meds to see if that would do the trick. And it worked!"
Patricia's partner (aka Foster Dad) came to offer a helping hand and showered Leia with love. The couple worked alongside each other to get the kittens back to tip-top shape.
With painstaking care and all the cuddles they could supply, Leia made great strides. She was able to reveal her beautiful bright eyes and gained a voracious appetite.
As Leia grew, her whiskers blossomed into magnificent lengths. Her bristles sprouted from her beautiful face, and with her long eyelashes and salt and pepper blend on her front legs, Leia turned into quite the stunning tuxedo.
"Foster Dad has an extra large soft spot for this little princess. I think he's smitten by those magical whiskers," Patricia wrote.
When Leia discovered that she could climb her humans' legs, she didn't hesitate to put her skills into practice whenever she needed extra attention.
Watch the kittens in this cute video:
"They are so proud of themselves when they get up to me. It's like they're saying, 'Mom, look. I came to give you hugs and smooches."
After two months in foster care, Grogu and Leia were ready for their next chapter in life.
"They were such joy to have and help get through their hurdles. Fostering is such a gratifying experience, and it makes me so happy to be able to contribute my small part in their journey," Patricia shared with Love Meow.
Yesterday, the kittens went to their new home together. It was love at first sight when they met their forever family, and they quickly melted into their arms.
"You know when things are meant to be. This was that. The kittens fell in love with this amazing couple right away."
"They will be so loved by their forever family and will always hold a special place in my heart too."
Share this story with your friends. Follow Patricia's fosters on Facebook and Instagram @fosterkittensvegas.
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