Meet Lavender, the adorable kitten who waltzed into Haley Waugh’s life when she least expected it and didn’t even realize how much she needed her.
Haley, who works at Front Street Shelter, had been going through a tough time after losing two special needs animals she had devotedly cared for. In the midst of it all, a coworker surprised her by presenting a tiny orphaned kitten.
Gently nestled into the front pocket of Haley’s overall, the little furball instantly melted Haley’s heart. She couldn’t help but smile and feel a sense of comfort she hadn’t experienced in weeks. “I knew I was taking her home to foster,” Haley recalls.
Lavender, found as a newborn in a backyard without a mother or siblings, was initially small for her age but brimming with sass.
Despite hissing and spitting at new scents in the first 24 hours, Lavender’s walls came down when she realized Haley was there to provide food and love.
With a voracious appetite, Lavender quickly gained a round belly, much to Haley’s delight. “I can’t deal with this level of cute and fluffy in such a tiny package,” Haley exclaimed. “Lavender is somehow getting fluffier and more amazing by the day.”
As Lavender grew bigger, her adventurous spirit blossomed. Exploring every nook and cranny, she would follow Haley and her partner around the house, displaying her playful antics. Despite being the smallest, Lavender exuded boundless energy, scampering, hopping, and pouncing around the house.
When exhaustion finally caught up with her, Lavender would settle next to a resident cat or dog, kneading away on a soft blanket or basking in the sun by the window.
Haley soon discovered that Lavender had replaced the need for an alarm clock with her morning zoomies on the bed. “I wish I had just an ounce of Lavender’s energy,” Haley admitted.
Come Christmas, Lavender was ready to graduate from the foster program and find her forever home. Haley joyfully shared, “I’m so happy to announce Lavender is an official member of our family. She came to us after two really hard back-to-back losses and made herself right at home.”
Unexpectedly becoming a part of Haley’s family, Lavender now enjoys a big family with human parents, three cats, and two dogs. She has brought endless joy and antics to the household, even helping foster animals like Pickles the pup learn the ropes of wrestling and playing chase.
Lavender, with her playful spirit, has become the heartwarming center of the Waugh family, creating a snuggle puddle of joy for everyone around her.
