This post is sponsored by Chicken Soup for The Soul Pet Food and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network. I am being compensated for helping create awareness around the Brand and new product launch, but I only share information I feel is relevant to my readers. Chicken Soup for The Soul is not responsible for the content of this article.
Did you know that Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food is on the hunt for the next heroic pet? It’s true! It could be YOUR pooch or kitty! I’ll tell you more about that in a bit, but first, I want to tell you about one of my little heroes!
Let me start this by saying that every single pet out there is a hero in their own way. From the Search and Rescue dogs who go on dangerous missions to bring lost loved ones home to their families to the little family cat who brightens up a child’s day after a rough time at school. Every pet is extraordinary. I have several cats and dogs, all extraordinary in their own way. Today, though, I want to tell you about our latest addition, Alexander the Fuzz, aka Fuzz Fuzz.
Alexander the Fuzz: My Tiny Hero with the Big Heart
To understand the Fuzz’s story, you have to know a little about his family. My neighborhood has a large feral cat population. When I moved into this house, my elderly neighbor was feeding a group of ferals regularly. As time went on, we started helping out with the feedings. As you can imagine, I have a pretty loyal following of ferals outside my house. A family of about five, actually, although that family varies depending on, sadly, who makes it through the season.
“Monkey” the feral, one of Alex’s older siblings, we assume, from last year.
This year, one of the Mama cats had a litter fairly late in the season. One of those kittens was The Fuzz. The Fuzz was different from other kittens. He wanted love and attention…from humans. I was adamant that we would NOT have another cat. No way, no how. Not happening. As cute as he was, I couldn’t start taking in ferals. I’d never stop!
Then the Fuzz started following my son everywhere. He also started hanging out at the fence, begging the dogs to love him. Oddly, the dogs didn’t seem to mind him. When I’d go outside, he’d run to my feet, begging to be held. When his mama was, very sadly, killed by a predator, we noticed he was getting really sick. He couldn’t bathe himself and his eyes were gluing shut. He was smaller than his siblings too.
I’d sit out there with him, cleaning him with baby wipes and drying him, and he’d just try to climb up my coat and nuzzle me. I couldn’t take it. I am incredibly emotional when it comes to animals, especially those in need. I couldn’t stand leaving him out there, especially when he so obviously wanted a home. When he tried to dash in the door after me, that was it.
“Take him to the vet,” I said to my mom (she lives with me). “See if they can save him. If he’s not going to get our other cats sick, bring him in.” Well, that night, the Fuzz moved in. Within an hour, he was settled in happily, acting like he was always meant to be in the house.
Alex the Fuzz before his eyes healed completely, after we brought him in.
Alex is brave, strong and loving. Despite losing his mama young and spending the first 8 weeks of his life as a feral, he’s got the biggest heart of any little fuzzball I’ve ever met. Fuzz is proof that tenacity mixed with a kind, loving attitude really pays off. He’s a miniature furry inspiration. If that doesn’t make him a heroic little guy, I don’t know what does.
Want a chance to appear on Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Hidden Heroes on the CBS Saturday Morning Lineup? Head over to the Pet Hero entry page to tell Chicken Soup for the Soul why your pet is your hero! Just follow the directions to submit your story and video (it doesn’t have to be fancy, it can even just be you reading your story out loud).
When Alex the Fuzz lived outside, he ate what we fed the ferals. As much as I’d love to give them all premium food, I just don’t have the budget for it. Since he lost his mama at such a young age, Fuzz had a lot of catching up to do. He was a little over one pound when he moved in. Chicken Soup for the Soul cat food isn’t just a premium food, it’s super-premium! It’s made with wholesome ingredients right here in the US. Fuzz likes that it has real meat as the first ingredient, yummm! I like that it has a balance of fruits, veggies and herbs as well.
Check out the Store Locator to find a retailer near you. Follow Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with news. You’ll find great inspiration on their Pinterest boards too!
Alex is very happy now! He’s warm, cozy, well-fed and definitely loved! Just wait until next month when I show you exactly how loved he- and my other kitties- are! Oh, the lengths to which we go to make our cats happy!
Your turn! Tell me about your hero pet! Remember, they’re all heroic in some way, even if they just make you smile when you’re feeling blue!
I’ve never owned a cat before, but I can see why people love them. Yours is so adorable!
I miss my cat. His name was Daniel he is a siamese cat, he’s o really Hyper but he so sweet
Awww, I’m sorry. 🙁 Siamese are such gorgeous cats.
Alex is sooo cute! Love that last photo of him playing chess! Such a gem!
Aww!! Alexander is so cute and adorable. Concept of chicken soup is very appreciable, I guess.
He is so cute. I Love all of your pictures of him – I can tell how much you love him.
That is such a great story! I am so glad that you saved that baby! If my family wasn’t so terrible allergic to them then we would be doing it too.
I love these books! They always have the greatest stories with the best messages.
The fuzz is awful cute… we took in 5 feral kittens once and found homes for 3 of them. We kept the other two and even though they were feral they trained really well and were loved family members while they were with us.
What a cute cat!! We have 2 cats now (down from 3-miss my orange tabby) and they are so fun and have such different personalities. They were both strays but have made themselves at home here!
How sweet. It’s so nice that you were able to meet that kitten and have it become a part of your life. It sounds like Alex will have a healthy diet from now one!
What a sad beginning but I’m glad he has a happy ending. We had some feral cats outside our building here in china and I would have loved to adopt one if we were living here for longer.
What a tough little kitty! I have a great story about my childhood dog that I would love to enter! Thanks
Cats are adorable and sometimes, irresistibly cute. I could see why you adopted that cat. Thanks for sharing your story.
I can see why you adopted him. Your cat is adorable!
Cute fuzzy heads! I grow up in a house full of cats but with my family now, we preferred dogs. I’ll recommend this cat food to cat owners I know.
Aww bless you or taking in The Fuzz, I am sure he feels home right away with your loing family.
Although we do not have cats for pets, I still feel so sorry for the strays and the ferals. I occasionally leave some food in a dish and place it near our fence so they can eat. I am sure they’ll find a good home, just like what you did for the fuzz!
Aww, what a cute cat! I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, but I’d never heard of the food. Will have to check it out!
Fuzz is an adorable little feline ! It’s great to see people rescuing abandoned animals who are in need of a home! Alex is truly blessed to have such a loving family!
I am sitting here in tears. Fuzz is adorable and I am so happy you had room to take him in. Cats really do love humans and they do love being in homes with people, showered with love.
Fuzz is so stinking cute! I haven’t tried my Sweetie on the Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet because she’s such a picky eater and once I found something she would eat, I stuck to it! I will have to try her with this brand!
The fuzz is so cute! I love how animals like Fuzz are able to do something so big, as to brighten a child’s day after it seems like the world is falling apart. That unconditional love is amazing.
Sounds like you and your elderly neighbor are the hero for your neighborhood cats!
I had no idea that Chicken Soup for the Soul made cat food! That is so awesome! Your cat is so adorable!
i dont have a cat, but they are adorable when they are smal and funny , like watching them jump from a cucumber laying on the floor
omg the cats are so pretty i miss mine 🙁