Meet Cinder, the kitten with a face that practically shouts, “Don’t even think about talking to me until I’ve had my coffee!”
This little fluffball won hearts as the unofficial mascot of every grumpy, caffeine-craving soul.
The tiniest of her litter, Cinder may have started as a frail little “underkitten,” but she had an incredible journey in front of her. Let’s hear all about it!
Cinder arrived with her siblings at a Southern California rescue. Each of them was weak and malnourished, but it was clear that Cinder was struggling the most.
She was so small and delicate, weighing barely 124 grams when she should have been much closer to double that weight.
Yet, beneath her fragile appearance was a spark that made everyone believe she’d somehow pull through.
At three and a half weeks, Cinder looked like she was a newborn. Her bony, dehydrated body and sad little face made anyone’s heart break.
Kimmi, her foster mom, shared on Instagram:
“I think she must be one of the most emaciated kittens I have taken on, and I’ve thought a few were bad in the past.”
While her siblings, all with their own unique colors and personalities, managed to stay playful in their incubator, Cinder was too exhausted to join in.
But she craved one thing above all – to be held close and comforted. As Kimmi watched over her, she couldn’t help but feel hopeful that Cinder would find her strength.
And then, one day, there it was: a tiny but steady purr from Cinder’s small chest. That little hum was the sign Kimmi had been hoping for: Cinder was finding her spirit!
With medication, fluids, and tons of love, Cinder gradually began to get stronger. Though she still didn’t look her best self, she started playfully pawing at her littermates, showing that she had plenty of sass and charm of her own.
Kimmi often shared updates with Cinder’s supporters, including funny pictures of her tiny, serious face that made people laugh.
One day, she posted a snapshot in which Cinder looked like she was ‘in serious need of a coffee.’
And that’s how Cinder’s grumpy little face became legendary!
Every time she squinted up at the camera with half-open eyes, she looked like she had just been pulled from the deepest sleep and thrust into the chaos of a Monday morning.
It didn’t take long for her sleepy face to end up on T-shirts, along with captions like, “No coffee, no talkie,” making her a mini-celebrity for all the right reasons.
Indeed, if Cinder were human, she’d definitely have a coffee mug glued to her tiny paws!
As the days went by, Cinder started transitioning to a mix of kitten food and formula. She eagerly ate even if it meant her little fur coat was constantly sticky with food.
After each meal, she’d get a warm bath, leaving her soaked but happy, and always earning laughs from her fans.
Months later, this scrappy little fighter was unrecognizable!
She was no longer a fragile kitten; she was a glowing, two-pound young lady, healthy and full of life.
The pictures of her transformation astonished everyone who had rooted for her.
With the help of the Love Your Feral Felines rescue, Cinder is now ready to find a forever home alongside her siblings.
She is a sweetheart who adores cuddles, soft blankets, and other kitty friends, waiting for the perfect family to share those snuggles with!
Cinder may have started out needing all the extra love and care, but now she’s all set to bring that same love – and plenty of attitude – to her forever human.
Here’s to Cinder, the mighty little underkitten who beat the odds and became one of the greatest success stories in the animal rescue world!
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