A kitten was dropped off for help at just a few days old. Now, she has a smokey coat and the most smiley face.
BertieKimberly
Bertie (aka St Bertrille) was just a few days old when she came to Ellen Carozza LVT, VTS (CP-Feline), president of Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation, for a chance at a better life.
Weighing just 70 grams, Bertie needed to be closely monitored and tube-fed. After several days of painstaking care, the kitten started to turn a corner.
To ensure she stayed on track, Kimberly, a foster volunteer for the foundation, took her on and kept up with the round-the-clock feedings.
Ellen Carozza
"She needed to be tube-fed for a few days before she could even suckle from a bottle, but she was feisty and determined. She spent almost two weeks in an incubator to maintain her body temperature," Kimberly told Love Meow.
Once Bertie gained the strength to move around, she'd wait at the incubator window every two hours for her bottle to be served.
Kimberly
She became very vocal at mealtime and especially active when she heard her foster mom. She crawled towards her voice and squeaked for attention. Before long, she discovered her purr motor and turned it up on high.
Once Bertie tasted freedom outside her cozy incubator, she toddled around like a tiny explorer charting a new world.
Kimberly
Bertie noticed other kittens scampering around her nursery and was determined not to miss out on the action. She clambered to the summit of her fish bed, overlooking the room.
"It's so funny to watch this tiny little kitten with eyes that are too big for her head crawl around and explore."
Kimberly
Once Bertie was weaned, she tackled the litter box like a pro. She befriended the bigger cats in the residence, zooming around with them with reckless abandon. Meanwhile, her gorgeous smokey coat emerged.
Her fur turned into a stunning smoke pattern and grew fluffier each day.
Kimberly
"Bertie has a smoke coat, which is when the tips of the hair are black, and the roots are silver or gray. It is different from a fever coat, which is usually caused by illness or stress and is temporary."
She keeps her mouth slightly agape as if sporting a perpetual "blep" on her face. When she struts through the kitchen, she exudes the confidence of a runway model, showcasing her fancy coat.
Bertie takes her bathtub duties very seriouslyKimberly
"She was also the bathtub lifeguard. You couldn't take a bath without her perched on the side."
She rallied the rest of the feline crew to join the bathtub duties. An older cat watched from the porcelain throne while the younger ones inspected the tub's contents.
Bertie and her feline friendsKimberly
"Bertie was extremely affectionate and just wanted to be held or sit in a lap. She loved playing with Frankie Bangs (another foster kitten), and despite him having two wonky back legs, their matches rivaled the WWE."
Bertie greeted people with a charming smile that never faded. Her happy purrs and playful antics were a constant source of delight.
Bertie is fluffy and smileyKimberly
When Bertie was ready to spread her wings and fly, she quickly found a wonderful family to love and spoil her endlessly.
"She arrived in a box at about two days old, looking like a gummy bear, and turned into this glorious floof."
Ellen Carozza
Last weekend, Bertie moved in with her new mom. She curled up in her arms and placed her little paw on her hand as if to say, "You are the chosen one."
Bertie has found her forever homeEllen Carozza and Kimberly
Share this story with your friends. More on Kimberly's fosters on Instagram @somdkittenfosters, Ellen's rescues @thecatlvt, and Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation on Facebook.
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