When a petite tabby named Pixie was found on the side of the road and brought to a local animal shelter, rescuers assumed she was a seven-week-old kitten due to her tiny frame. But a closer look revealed a surprising truth: despite weighing less than two pounds, Pixie had adult teeth and was estimated to be nearly a year old.
A Foster Home for Special Needs
Heather, an ER nurse and experienced foster caregiver for critical-condition kittens, was contacted by the shelter. “They asked if I could ‘work my magic and put some weight on her,’” Heather told Love Meow.
Pixie’s size belied her big personality. “Anyone who meets her falls in love,” Heather said. The affectionate cat adored being cradled like a baby and charmed everyone with her loud purrs—which often gave away her hiding spots.
Medical Challenges and Slow Progress
Pixie faced chronic stomach issues, requiring Heather to experiment with specialized diets and supplemental care. “It was two steps forward, one step back for months,” Heather explained. A fecal transplant, administered via oral capsules, eventually helped stabilize her condition. Though she grew to 3.5 pounds—still far smaller than an average adult cat—her health remained fragile.
An Unlikely Friendship
During her foster stay, Pixie bonded with Noey, a blind cat five times her size, and took a playful seven-week-old kitten, Buttercup, under her wing. “She’d wrestle and zoom around like they were siblings,” Heather said.
The Perfect Match
Heather worried about finding Pixie an adopter prepared for her lifelong needs—until Trina, a woman with a cat with similar health struggles, reached out. After weeks of daily conversations, Trina’s dedication convinced Heather. “She promised to do everything for Pixie,” Heather said.
On their final night together, Pixie stretched a paw onto Heather’s shoulder and nuzzled her heart, as if saying goodbye.
A New Beginning
Now in her forever home, Pixie thrives. She sunbathes by windows, claims cozy spots in shopping bags, and holds her own with Trina’s other cats. Best of all, she’s now medication-free.
“I think she’s happy here,” Trina said. “She’s settled in perfectly with the rest of the herd.”
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