A kind person took in a kitten. Though tiniest of all, he had the heart of a lion and a will that never quit.
Crescendo (aka Chris)CommunityCatClub
Late last month, Sara Sharp, founder of Community Cat Club, was contacted about a little kitten named Crescendo (aka Chris) needing critical care.
Chris came from a hoarding situation with his mom and siblings. Shortly after arrival, his foster mom noticed he wasn't thriving. "He was already the smallest one of the litter when we rescued them," Sara shared with Love Meow.
The little runt was underweight, cold, and sickly, but he never gave up.
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"She brought him to me, where he went right in the incubator and received extra heat support and other supportive care."
Sara began tube-feeding the kitten every two hours since he couldn't eat on his own. After tireless effort, he finally perked up, and his temperature stabilized. He was a mere handful of fur but had a heart as brave as any big cat.
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After a few days of round-the-clock care, Chris put on much-needed weight and grew a little belly that he proudly showed off after each feeding. Despite the odds against him, Sara saw a fiery spirit in him and remained hopeful that he would turn a corner.
At the vet's office, Chris quickly won the hearts of all the staff members. For such a tiny kitten, he had an impressively big voice.
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It was touch and go for a while, but Sara never stopped fighting for Chris. "Caring for critical neonatal kittens is a lot of work. I am honestly exhausted, but it is so worth it to save little lives like Crescendo."
"This guy is definitely a spicy little fighter. He is constantly screaming at me when it's mealtime. He knows what he wants and when he wants it."
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When Chris finally surpassed the 200-gram (7-oz) mark, he let out the squeakiest roars as if declaring he was a force to be reckoned with.
Because of his petite size and delayed development, his head appeared to be larger than his body. He still needed to be assisted at mealtime but had a spirit that couldn't be tamed. "It's his world, and I'm just living it."
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Sara introduced him to new snuggle toys that he accepted with enthusiasm and his signature screams. Though smaller than his plushie, he tried to wrestle it like a mighty warrior.
"It has been a rollercoaster, but now he's doing great. He's still a small guy and is taking his time with things, but that's okay."
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After a lot of hard work, Chris has finally got the hang of his bottle and is eating like a champ, making steady gains.
At the sight of his food, he opens his gummy mouth wide and stretches his toes like he means business. Chris meows at the top of his lungs and won't stop until his bottle is served.
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Even a few seconds' delay is completely unacceptable for the "natural-born yapper." It's amazing how a tiny body can produce such a big voice.
"He's very demanding and knows exactly what he wants. He loves to eat, loves to scream, and loves head rubs and smooches."
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After three weeks of dedicated care, Chris is growing and finally looking like a cat. He adores his people and indulges in cuddles and kisses after each meal.
With his body catching up in size, his curiosity is emerging.
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Despite all the strikes against him, Chris bounced back and is now flourishing into a happy kitty with a good appetite and a zest for new adventures.
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Share this story with your friends. More on Chris and Sara's fosters on Instagram and Community Cat Club on Instagram and Facebook.
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