Given a second chance, a tiny kitten proved to be quite the fighter and grew into a “house panther” with a big heart.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
A tiny kitten, named Smooshie, was brought to a veterinary clinic with his mom and siblings. When Alley Cat Rescue learned the family needed a foster home, they didn’t hesitate to take them in.
He was part of a litter of seven and eventually became the only surviving kitten, despite everyone’s best efforts to save them all. From the beginning, Smooshie showed an incredible fighting spirit, a determination to keep going.
Just palm-sized, he took to the bottle like a champ, growing a little bigger and stronger with each passing day.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
Smooshie was doing well for being as small as he was, aside from some motility issues. With guidance from the vet, they were able to help him through.
“As soon as he was old enough to show his personality, it was clear he was a huge lover,” Alley Cat Rescue told Love Meow.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
“He always wanted to be near his foster, touching her, even hugging her with his arms around her neck.”
Things were looking up for the little house panther, but as weeks went by, his caretakers noticed that something wasn’t right. He lost both his appetite and his voice. Even then, he still tried to meow as best he could, though only tiny squeaks came out.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
As he became increasingly lethargic and his health continued to decline, his caretakers did everything they could to help him recover.
They worked tirelessly to find answers. After ruling out many possibilities, they began treating him with daily medication for FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), which is a serious and often fatal disease in cats.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
After weeks of little improvement and fearing the worst, little Smooshie surprised everyone with his resilience and remarkable will to live. He finally started to turn a corner.
His appetite returned, and he began gulping down his food like there was no tomorrow. As his strength came back, so did his playful spirit. Before long, he was climbing, jumping, and getting into everything around him.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
With Smooshie’s health problems behind him, he has grown into a big, adorable six-month-old cat. He loves people and wants to greet everyone he comes across. He also still loves his big hugs.
“His favorite things are playing with every single cat or kitten he meets, and he is quite confused when one of them doesn’t appreciate his instant affection.”
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
From the only surviving kitten in his litter to a thriving, loving cat with a big heart, Smooshie's journey is a testament to the unwavering dedication of his caregivers and volunteers, who never gave up on him.
Because they knew his little life was always worth fighting for.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
And Smooshies' mother, Sprinkles, was able to be saved and is doing well.
Credit: Alley Cat Rescue
Share this story with your friends. More on Smooshie, visit Alley Cat Rescue on Instagram @alleycatresuce and Facebook.
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