The “Tail” of Mr. Snuggles: You Had Me at Meow…

In 2012, as I was packing up my house to move with my two daughters after my husband and I had separated, a heartwarming yet unexpected event unfolded. My daughters came running to me, excitedly reporting that two baby kittens had been abandoned by their mother on our back patio. They were adamant about bringing the kittens inside, but I was hesitant, as I was highly allergic to cats. I insisted that we leave them on the patio, believing that their mother would return. However, despite their meowing for at least an hour, their mother never came back. My daughters' pleas eventually melted my resolve, and I caved in, allowing them to bring the kittens inside. They were barely two weeks old, and I knew nothing about caring for kittens.

I began making phone calls to rescues, shelters, and fosters, desperately trying to find someone who could take the kittens off our hands. Unfortunately, no one was able to help, and animal control's only option was to euthanize them. My daughters were adamant that we keep them, so I reluctantly agreed, resigned to the fact that these kittens were now our responsibility. Little did I know, this was the beginning of my journey into the world of kitten care.

I quickly learned that caring for baby kittens was akin to caring for infants. They needed to be bottle-fed, and I was shocked to discover that they didn't even know how to go to the bathroom on their own. I was introduced to the concept of stimulating them to go using a warm cloth, which, though initially revolting, became a regular part of my routine to ensure they didn't get backed up.

As time passed, the kittens, both boys, appeared to be healthy, so I took them to the vet for their first round of shots and deworming. My daughters lovingly named them Nips and Cuddles. Nips earned his name due to his playful yet sometimes aggressive nature, while Cuddles was a squishy little cuddle bug. Tragically, Cuddles passed away suddenly, leaving us all devastated. My daughters held a small funeral for him in my sister's backyard, and we mourned the loss of our little companion.

Nips, on the other hand, seemed to be following the same path as his brother, but with the help of my brother-in-law, who has a gift for connecting with animals, Nips pulled through and began to thrive. However, after Cuddles' passing, it became apparent that Nips was missing his brother's companionship. So, we decided to visit the Humane Society to find him a new companion.

We were specifically looking for a cat that was at least six months old, as we were concerned that a kitten might not get along with Nips, who was already showing signs of aggression. As we perused the cages, one cat stood out among the rest. He was meowing incessantly, looking directly at me, and his name tag read "Snuggles." It was a sign. This cat, previously adopted as a kitten but returned because he talked too much, was meant to be ours. Snuggles immediately jumped into my lap and started meowing and purring, solidifying our bond. From that moment on, Snuggles became a cherished member of our family.

Despite some initial challenges with Nips, the two cats learned to tolerate each other. When my daughter got married, Nips bonded closely with her, so it was best that he stayed with her. Snuggles, on the other hand, became a beloved member of our household, charming everyone who came over with his affectionate nature and insatiable curiosity. He has a penchant for trying to escape, standing up on two legs and using his top paws to try to open the door to check out the front patio, although he's not allowed. He also loves to sit in the window and observe everybody walking by the house, making him the guardian of our castle. Despite his greedy nature and constant hunger for treats, we love him dearly. My husband even joked that when Snuggles passes away (although we hope that's a long way off), he wants to have him stuffed and record his meow so that I will never forget him.