Last Updated: October 28, 2024
Author: Jan Travell
In the world of rescue cats, some stories shine particularly bright.
None more so than that of Bertie – or Bertrille, as she’s formally known – a black kitten whose journey began with the tiniest of meows but the strongest of spirits.
At just four days old, when most kittens are safely nestled against their mothers, Bertie found herself alone and in desperate need of help.
Fortune smiled upon her when she was taken in by Ellen Carozza LVT, president of the Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation.
Soon after, she met the person who would change her life – her foster mom, Kimberly.
The first chapter of Bertie’s new life began in an incubator, where this tiny fighter showed the world exactly what she was made of.
Despite her diminutive size, she made her presence known with a voice that seemed too big for her tiny frame.
Every time Kimberly opened the incubator door, Bertie would announce herself with what could only be described as sass – a trait that would become her trademark.
Under Kimberly’s devoted care, this “baby panther” flourished. She gained weight steadily, and more importantly, developed an unshakeable bond with her foster mom.
The sound of Kimberly’s voice became her beacon, prompting her to crawl toward it with an enthusiastically wagging tail and a purr that could melt the coldest heart.
Named after a sitcom character, Bertie lived up to her namesake with her adventurous spirit. The incubator, while cozy, couldn’t contain her curiosity for long.
She would seize any opportunity to escape, not just for her bottle but for the extra cuddles she deemed necessary for survival.
By her third week, Kimberly couldn’t help but marvel at her progress, dubbing her the “perfect little black bean.”
As Bertie grew stronger, her world expanded beyond the confines of her incubator. She became a fearless explorer, scaling cat furniture to join the older kittens in their escapades.
Her foster mom encouraged this adventurous spirit, even taking her and her foster siblings on backpack picnics – adventures that Bertie embraced with characteristic enthusiasm.
Milestones came and went: graduating from her bottle, mastering potty training, and learning the art of wrestling with bigger cats.
Through it all, she formed special bonds, none more precious than her friendship with Frankie Bangs, her favorite wrestling partner and cuddle buddy.
The mornings in their household became synonymous with Bertie’s mischief, though her innocent expression never betrayed her playful schemes.
As she matured, Bertie’s beauty became even more striking. Her smoky fur developed a dazzling sheen, and she carried herself with the confidence of a natural-born diva.
She approached household duties with endearing seriousness, whether it was supervising Kimberly’s baths as part of the self-appointed “drowning protection squad” or conducting thorough treat inspections of any bags within reach.
When the time came for adoption, Bertie was ready for her next adventure. Though saying goodbye was bittersweet for Kimberly, she knew this was the culmination of all their hard work together.
“You’ve been with me since you were 4 days old, and now it’s time for you to spread your wings with your new family,” she shared on Instagram, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
From a tiny, abandoned newborn to a confident, spirited beauty, Bertie’s journey shows us the power of love, patience, and second chances.
As she embarks on life with her forever family, she carries with her not just her signature sass, but the hearts of everyone who helped transform her from a fragile beginning into an unstoppable force of feline charm.
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Jan Travell is a lifelong cat owner and a feline expert. She’s been the Cats and Kittens lead editor from the start. She lives in rural France with her two rescue cats, Tigerlily and Mr.Gee. Her senior kitty, Ducati, passed over the rainbow bridge recently at the ripe old age of 22.
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