When a group of newborn kittens was found nestled under a bush close to a Phoenix apartment complex, it was evident they required immediate assistance. A compassionate stranger collected the small group—four black kittens and one gray—and contacted Jin’s Bottle Babies, a local rescue focused on neonatal cats. Included in the group was Peggy, the tiniest and most fragile of them all. Her back leg critically harmed by an umbilical cord injury, she was on the brink of survival. Shelbi Uyehara, the founder of the rescue, showed no hesitation. She took Peggy under her wing, resolved to provide this delicate kitten a chance to survive
With Shelbi’s individual guidance, Peggy started to heal, overcoming the challenges in her path. She quickly came back together with her siblings, and the entire litter transferred to foster care at Shelbi’s residence. Suddenly, something strange occurred—Peggy’s coat started to transform. What was previously black fur gradually changed into a hazy grey. Shelbi believed it was a rare “fever coat,” a condition frequently triggered by maternal stress in pregnancy. Although all five kittens displayed smoky streaks, Peggy’s striking transformation made her resemble a small wolf cub, distinguishing her in both character and looks
As the weeks went by, Peggy’s coat grew darker once more, but her enthusiasm remained intact. Even with her absent leg, she dove energetically into playtime, competing with her siblings and creating trouble at every chance. Rather than being restrained, Peggy’s bold spirit and inquisitive character distinguished her. She proudly sported her milk mustache after every feeding and kept up with—indeed surpassed—the rest. With each challenge, Peggy demonstrated that she wasn’t merely getting by—she was flourishing, one pawstep nearer to her dream home.
