The Adorable Charisma of a S͏m͏u͏s͏h͏-Fa͏c͏e͏d͏ Kitten .
When Smush was rescued by Lindsey Hidinrite at Helping Hands Pet Rescue in Gainesville, Florida, last summer, she never would have imagined describing the kitten as ‘feisty’. Hidinrite, a veterinary student at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, is known for taking in strays with serious health problems. Smush, who was found outside and barely clinging to life at just 10 days old, needed a home that appreciated her smushy face and spirited personality.
When Smush was discovered, she was in a very poor health condition. She had a cleft lip, facial deformities, and was experiencing an upper respiratory infection along with a severe case of ringworm. Due to her inability to eat, Hidinrite had to feed her with a syringe every four hours. In addition to that, Smush was also undergoing antibiotic treatment and receiving regular medicated baths to improve her condition.
Hidinrite shared that Smush was born with a cleft lip and wide-set eyes, which are considered congenital abnormalities. She mentioned that sometimes mother cats will abandon kittens with deformities, possibly knowing they may not be able to care for them properly. This allows the mother cat to focus on the healthier kittens in the litter.
Under Hidinrite’s nurture, Smush flourished and learned to eat by herself. She then went to live with her foster mom, Laura Braden, who lovingly gave her medicated baths three times a week.
Smush’s newfound independence was evident as she started feeding herself. With each passing day, she grew more confident and developed a reputation for her spirited nature. “She was always a handful,” Braden recalled, noting that even his efforts to contain her during her recovery were unsuccessful. Her determination led her to overcome any barriers Braden tried to set up, eventually earning herself a whole room to roam freely in.
When animals are left orphaned at a very young age, they miss out on important social interactions and learning experiences that would typically come from their parents and siblings. It is during these early months that they develop crucial social skills. For example, a kitten raised by its mother would learn boundaries through play interactions; understanding that playful nibbles are not meant to be harmful.
Shannon Jackson, a seasoned foster parent for kittens, received affectionate love bites from a little feline named Smush. Recognizing that Smush would thrive in a forever home that truly appreciated her unique charm, Shannon felt it was important for her to find a family that adored her cute squishy face and embraced her spirited personality.
Laura Braden and Lindsey Hidinrite played a crucial role in Smush finding her new forever home. Shannon Jackson and her wife, Sarah Jenne, came across Smush on Hidinrite’s personal Facebook page, although they had not yet talked about adopting her. Jenne was still mourning the loss of her beloved cat, Poot. According to Jackson, whenever asked what she wanted for special occasions like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, Jenne would always reply with “a kitten.”
Shannon Jackson and Hidinrite formed a bond while Jackson photographed animals up for adoption at Helping Hands Pet Rescue. Jackson was inspired by Hidinrite’s dedication to aiding those in need, such as Raisin, a unique cat that was highlighted in a recent article by The Dodo.
Celebrating Adoption Day with Shannon and Sarah, the two amazing moms.
Jackson mentioned that Sarah’s birthday was approaching, so he decided to reach out to Lindsey to check if Smush was still up for grabs. Hidinrite responded that Smush was indeed available but warned that she had quite the feisty personality. She proposed that the couple bring Smush home for a week to test things out.
Smush adores her brothers and sisters, including Candy, the greyhound they rescued. Shannon Jackson shared, “It was definitely love at first sight. Smush even growled at Sarah and me for a whole day before she would finally come out of her carrier.” However, once she did, Jackson described how Smush’s true personality shone through. Now settled in her forever home with her two moms, Smush has three feline siblings, three dog siblings, and even a hedgehog named Homer. Jackson mentioned that Smush is their first adopted cat as a couple and fits perfectly into their family.
For the last couple of weeks, Smush has been swatting at Christmas ornaments hanging from the tree, huddling up on the tree skirt, and imagining tearing apart gift wrapping.
According to Smush’s mothers, she has been showing more affection by purring and less aggression by biting. Just before Christmas, she had an unexpected visit from her rescuers, Braden and Hidinrite. Smush’s remarkable survival is attributed to her strong determination.
