Some twigs snap under pressure, but this one beat the odds. Still, Twig was as fragile as one when a Good Samaritan happened to be walking her dog down the right sidewalk at the right time. His fur was matted, his eyes were glued shut from infection, and he was covered in fleas and dirt when she scooped up his little 1-lb body, tucked him into a cozy box and drove him straight over to the Connecticut Humane Society for help.
The veterinary team saw how desperate his situation was and got right to work. Twig got a warm bath which removed some of the grime and allowed the team to get a good look at him. They found a rather large hole in between his toes that was packed with creepy crawlies, and they immediately flushed and dressed the wound. Besides the obvious external issues, this two-month-old kitten was emaciated, dehydrated, and barely holding on. His breathing was ragged and he showed all the signs of an upper respiratory infection, and the team whipped up a treatment plan to bring him back to health.
Because he had a wound of unknown origin and had not yet been vaccinated for rabies, Twig would have to go into a 6-month state-mandated quarantine to make sure he hadn’t picked up any infectious diseases in his time outside. The good news was this would give Twig plenty of time to recover from his respiratory infection, and it would allow CHS staff to learn lots about him and his personality, which started developing more and more as he got bigger and stronger.
The medical and behavior teams worked with him every day, treating him with love and patience, and the same kindness that had got him there in the first place. At first, he was a quiet cat, with not much strength left in him after he fought for his life. But within days, this sweet little kitten was purring and playful during his exams and nuzzling into the hands that cared for him. The team also knew that a long stay in the shelter could be tough on a young kitten, so in addition to the usual enrichment pets get (playtime, puzzles, new treats and toys), Twig was put into a clicker training program. This positive reinforcement technique helps build pets’ confidence, strengthen bonds with people, and keep their minds active. And Twig loved it!
Months passed and Twig grew stronger and stronger, but his growing was a little bit different too. Early on, his conformation indicated he might have congenital dwarfism, which would mean he’d be littler than other cats. This makes him one-of-a-kind, but also means that when he’s ready for adoption, he’ll need a home ready to give him the extra care he deserves. Everything else was looking okay for Twig: his paw healed beautifully, and while his respiratory issues have lingered longer than anyone had hoped, he is certainly improving. Because of the severity of his respiratory infection when he first arrived, the medical team predicts that Twig will always have a little bit of a wheeze (all the more endearing!).
Now eight months old, Twig has grown into a playful, affectionate little cat who is almost ready for his next big adventure: finding a family of his own! He’s waiting out these last few days before he’s cleared for adoption in a comfortable foster home. Soon, someone special will fall for his big personality, small but mighty stature, and strong spirit. His journey had a rough start, but he’s proved over and over: nothing can break this Twig!