A kitten who came from a rough beginning was determined to live life to the fullest. She found two house cats to show her the ropes.
MindyNikki
Mindy, a tiny black kitten, was only three weeks old when she arrived at the municipal shelter in desperate need of care.
Rescued from a hoarding situation, she had already endured more than most at her young age. Without a mother cat to nourish her, she required round-the-clock bottle feeding to survive. That's when Nikki, a dedicated rescuer and fosterer with Hearts Alive Village, stepped in to help.
"I feel like she's always been a very strong little girl," Nikki told Love Meow.
Nikki
Nikki prepared a playpen with a cozy nest, a snuggle toy, and a litter tray, but Mindy had bigger ambitions. The pint-sized kitten made it clear she wasn't content with playpen walls and insisted on having full rein of the house.
Though tiny, her spirit was mighty. "Not only does she enjoy life and all that it has to offer, but she also has a strong will to live."
Nikki
From the beginning, Mindy was a pro at bottle-feeding with an insatiable appetite. Her ears appeared almost oversized compared to her petite frame, but what she lacked in stature, she more than made up for in grit.
She would wiggle those big ears with determination as she latched onto the bottle, never leaving a single drop behind.
Nikki
Her trademark "bat ears" remained until she finally grew into them. As she grew, so did her adventurous spirit.
For a short time, Mindy had a playmate, another rescue kitten named Mork. Sadly, despite every effort, Mork lost his fight to what was likely a congenital condition. Lonely and in need of companionship, Mindy soon found comfort in Nikki's resident cats.
Nikki
Stella, Nikki's blind resident cat, was the first to befriend Mindy. Through play, she showed the kitten that nothing could hold them back from living life to the fullest. Mindy eagerly followed her lead, chasing toys, tearing through the room, and even batting at Stella's tail.
"She's a happy, playful girl who loves all toys."
Mindy and StellaNikki
But it was Wallace, Nikki's other resident cat, who truly stole Mindy's heart.
Wallace was the perfect match for Mindy's wild energy. He loved rough-and-tumble games and wasn't afraid to put her in her place when she got too rambunctious. Far from being bothered, Mindy adored him for it. At last, she had found a kindred spirit.
Mindy and WallaceNikki
"As soon as she wakes up, she runs over to him and starts mischief," Nikki shared. "She gets him to wrestle with her, and then she screams when he finally catches her. She's a little dramatic."
By day, Mindy wrestled and played with Wallace. By night, she cozied up in Stella's room. And whenever she spotted Nikki, she switched instantly into cuddle mode.
Nikki
"Some of her favorite things are curling up in my lap as soon as I sit on the sofa and pull out a cozy blanket. She will make biscuits, purr, and fall asleep with you."
Mindy also had a playful habit of leaving little "gifts"—tiny puff balls—tucked into Nikki's slippers after a round of play. Seeing how much Mindy thrived on companionship, Nikki was determined to find her a forever home with another cat to share her adventures.
Nikki
At ten weeks old, Mindy is blossoming into a sleek little house panther. Her baby-blue eyes are fading into a soft amber, and she has sprouted three white whiskers that set her apart.
Best of all, yesterday, she went to her foster-to-adopt home with a loving family.
Nikki
"She has a feline friend named Penny to play with and lots of toys and cat wall climbers."
As Mindy begins her happily ever after, Wallace and Stella are ready to welcome the next foster who needs their mentoring.
Nikki
Share this story with your friends. More on Mindy and Nikki's fosters on Instagram@myfosterkittens and Facebook and Hearts Alive Village @heartsaliveanimalrescue.
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