A kitten with the sweetest face melts people's hearts with her warrior spirit.
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
A Good Samaritan from Los Angeles found a kitten in her backyard and reached out for help. The kitten whose eyes were still closed, meowed incessantly for her mother who was nowhere to be found.
Ashley Kelley, a volunteer of a Los Angeles based rescue Wrenn Rescues, responded to the plea. "Something told me that I needed to get the kitten immediately," Ashley told Love Meow.
At the time, neither of them noticed anything different about the kitten. When Ashley got home and prepared to feed the baby, she was surprised by what she discovered.
The kitten's nose was shaped in a way that resembled a cleft nose — that's what Ashley thought the kitten had, initially. To ensure safe feedings, she switched to tube-feeding for the next couple of weeks.
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
"The kitten is very vocal and strong, but is content immediately after eating," Ashley said. "She recognizes my scent and cuddles up to my hands. She is grateful to be alive and strongly determined to survive."
From the start, the tiny feline displayed an amazing will to live. Ashley named her Aela after a video game character who is a fierce warrior.
At four weeks old, her little baby teeth started to germinate, and her playful side was coming out strong. She would stretch out her paws when she played to help keep her balance. Despite being a little behind in development, she made due with what she had.
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
Over the next two weeks, the sweet kitten continued to reach one milestone after another. She learned to eat from a dish like a big kitty and picked up many feline skills along the way. "She is spending more time exploring, and loves sitting on laps and having her belly petted," Ashley said.
"Aela has everyone wrapped around her toe beans. My kids cuddle and play with her at least a dozen times a day. She meows for us to come to play with her, and she usually gets what she wants."
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
After several trips to the vet, they were able to get an official diagnosis on the kitten's condition.
"Her skull did not fully form in the womb. Our tough little girl has been diagnosed with a mild case of hydrocephalus. She may never need any intervention if she keeps growing and developing as well as she has so far," Ashley shared.
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
"And very surprisingly, her nose is not a true cleft nose. She has a deformed mouth, which kind of pushed her nasal cavities up and apart. She also has an overbite."
Watch Aela's journey in this cute video:
Aela the kitten - foster journeywww.youtube.com
The kitten is doing well and not in any kind of pain or discomfort. "She is an extremely happy, thriving and capable little kitten. She has no idea anything is different about her."
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
The brave kitty is quite the character and never fails to fill the house with joy. She enjoys creating all sorts of antics, keeping her humans constantly entertained.
"Aela has mastered the art of relaxation. I love finding her in all the comfy spots. I picked up this sling that fits under standard dining chairs a couple years back and she loves it. I have one corner lowered so she can climb in. She even ate her lunch in there."
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
The little warrior kitty turned eight weeks yesterday. She's getting bigger, more playful and mischievous. Once she's ready, she will be paired up with other foster kittens so she can have friends to play with, all day long.
"She lights up our house and we are so thankful to be her foster family," Ashley said.
Ashley Kelley @bruceandfoxfosters
Share this story with your friends. Follow updates on Aela and Ashley's fosters on Instagram.
Related story: Stray Kitten Comes Running into Apartment and Moves Right in