A kitten stole the heart of a timid puppy who finally brightened up as he sought comfort and courage from the cat.
Scooter and Socker BopperOne Tail at a Time
Socker Bopper, the kitten, was wobbly and had a damaged eye when he came to One Tail at a Time, hoping for a brighter future. He had been found on the roadside and hitched a ride with a transport volunteer to the rescue.
Carrie Rubinas, Foster Coordinator at One Tail at a Time, opened her home to the kitten. Little did she know that the pint-sized wonder would soon wiggle his way into a puppy's heart.
Scooter (aka Scootie), a shy puppy, had been with Carrie for a while. He was very timid around strangers and fearful of the outside world, but there was one thing he didn't need time to warm up to.
Bopper was found on the roadsideOne Tail at a Time
Scooter, who came from a hoarding situation, adores other animals (both dogs and cats) and seeks solace from them. He craves companionship and would cuddle all day if he could.
"Carrie has been fostering Scooter since May, understanding his need for a home with other pets to help him come out of his shell," Kimberly Thomas of One Tail at a Time shared with Love Meow.
Scooter and his stuffiesOne Tail at a Time
When Bopper was well enough to socialize with the rest of the house, he bounded off with his unsteady but endearing gait, eager to make friends.
Upon meeting the little tabby, Scooter was smitten and saw something special in him. The wobbly, one-eyed kitten instantly stole his heart and wrapped him around his tiny paw.
The two became fast friendsOne Tail at a Time
"Scooter had already shown himself to be great with our resident cats, but when he met Socker Bopper, he was just so gentle and careful with him," Carrie told Love Meow.
"Bopper likes to be held or snuggled against someone pretty much all the time, and Scootie is frequently on or near my lap while I work from home. It wasn't long before Bopper decided the best place to spend the workday was snuggled up with Scootie."
One Tail at a Time
Though Bopper was about the size of Scooter's head, he was never intimidated. On the contrary, he felt at ease with his gentle giant friend by his side.
"Scootie was very shy and shut down when I first got him but has become a really funny and rambunctious puppy now that he's had time to settle in. Seeing him welcome another new foster to our home and be so tender with him was really special."
They are always cuddlingOne Tail at a Time
The two have formed a beautiful bond, supporting each other every step of the way.
Bopper likes to lean against Scooter's belly or tuck under his floppy ear when he naps. While whispering soothing purrs into Scooter's ear, he gives him all the snuggles he can muster.
One Tail at a Time
As the kitten encourages the puppy to play, Scooter's walls have come down, and his fun-loving side is shining through.
After his eye surgery, Bopper needed extra comfort to help him heal. He curled up with Scooter and drifted off to sleep, feeling safe and warm.
One Tail at a Time
"It can be nerve-racking for Scooter to meet new people and open up at first... but then he met Socker Bopper."
"They quickly became best friends, finding comfort in one another. From grooming each other to playing and indulging in a ridiculous amount of cuddling, these two are inseparable."
Scooter and Bopper are inseparableOne Tail at a Time
Carrie and her team hope to get the two buddies adopted together.
"They might be an unlikely pair, but Scooter and Socker Bopper are officially a bonded pair - and they're looking for a home together."
One Tail at a Time
Scooter and Bopper are thriving with all their canine and feline friends. Their bond grows deeper with each shared adventure and quiet moment.
A cuddle puddleOne Tail at a Time
Share this story with your friends. More on Scooter and Bopper and One Tail at a Time (Chicago) on Instagram and Facebook.
Related story: Blind Cat Leads Family to Her Kittens After Seeking Comfortable Home Her Whole Life