“She has been sassy from day one.”
When a litter of stray kittens arrived at Tennessee’s Carroll County Humane Society, shelter personnel noticed something unusual about the “runt” of the litter. Fortunately, they knew exactly who to call for assistance: foster volunteer Michelle Roberts.
Roberts had fostered a number of special-needs kittens and cats, but she never anticipated such a grumpy-looking kitten to win her heart.
“The humane society lady gave me a picture and screamed that they have their first dwarf cat at the humane society,” Roberts told The Dodo. “She inquired if I was interested in fostering because they didn’t have much room.”
Widget, the smallest of the kittens, made an immediate effect on Roberts, who volunteered to foster them. The kitten was born with dwarfism due to genetic anomalies, which resulted in stunted growth and strange body proportions.
Widget also had a prominent scowl, giving her the appearance of being disgruntled.
“It was clear she was smaller than her siblings,” Roberts added. “She weighted less than the other cats and wasn’t growing at all.” Her legs were also rather short and ‘chonky,’ and she definitely had the ‘Grumpy Cat’ look. “I fell in love right away.”
Widget’s siblings were swiftly adopted, but the petite cat with the big personality selected Roberts as her new mom and wouldn’t accept no for an answer.
“She’s been snarky since the beginning,” Roberts remarked. “It’s as if she was aware that all eyes were on her and that she could do whatever she wanted and get away with it.” She is still that way today.”
Widget is about 7 pounds now and thriving in her forever home with three other cat siblings and a parent who adores her.
“I knew I liked that grumpy face from the beginning, and I adopted her because I didn’t want someone else to adopt her and then abandon her,” Roberts explained. “I will always love her.”
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