Saving Dandelion: One Woman’s Mission to Keep an Abandoned Kitten Alive Against All Odds

Last Updated: November 14, 2024

Author: Jan Travell

Meet Dandelion, a one-of-a-kind feline flower who has captured the hearts of thousands with his remarkable resilience and charming personality.

His extraordinary journey began one chilly October evening in the bustling capital of Serbia, Belgrade.

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It was a typical night in the city, the streets bustling with the sounds of traffic and the occasional stray cat scurrying through the shadows.

But on this particular evening, a tiny, helpless kitten’s desperate cries pierced the urban din, alerting a kindhearted woman named Hristina to his plight.

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As she approached the dumpster where the mewling sounds originated, Hristina’s heart melted at the sight of the minuscule ball of fluff huddled alone, shivering and afraid.

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Without hesitation, Hristina scooped up the fragile kitten, cradling him gently in her lap as she waited on the sidewalk, hoping against hope that his mother would return.

But as the minutes ticked by, it became clear that the poor kitten had been abandoned, left to fend for himself in the unforgiving urban landscape.

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Hristina knew she couldn’t simply leave him there, and so she made the decision to take him home, determined to provide the care and nourishment he so desperately needed.

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Upon arriving at her cozy apartment, Hristina bestowed the kitten with a name befitting his delicate, flower-like appearance: Maslačak, the Serbian word for “dandelion.”

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At a mere 81 grams (just 0.17 pounds), this tiny feline flower had a spirit as big as the sun. With no cat mother to nurse him, Hristina quickly set to work, meticulously bottle-feeding the fragile kitten around the clock.

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It was a daunting task, but Hristina’s unwavering dedication soon paid off.

As the days passed, Dandelion grew stronger with each feeding, his tiny body gaining weight and his personality blossoming.

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He mastered the art of making biscuits in Hristina’s palm, and even learned to hold his own bottle – his personality was beginning to shine through.

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Dandelion’s adventures were chronicled on social media, captivating the hearts of thousands as he reached one milestone after another.

His first trip to grandma’s, his soothing bath time cuddles, and even his “hairdresser” visit captivated his online followers.

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As Dandelion traded his bottle for big-boy food, he entered a new phase of kittenhood, his soft, fluffy belly and insatiable appetite a sign of his thriving growth.

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From Hristina’s palm to the comfort of the window sill, Dandelion’s world expanded, and he relished in playing with toys and honing his hunting skills, though his favorite pastime remained tormenting his doting human mother’s fingers.

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But Dandelion’s journey was not without its challenges. At just six months old, he bravely faced leg surgery, his resilience knows no bounds.

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Yet, true to form, he bounced back stronger than ever, his social media fame skyrocketing as his fans eagerly followed his every milestone, from his first steps to his courageous recovery.

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Now a pampered one-year-old, Dandelion is living his best life, celebrated with a cake and surrounded by the love of his adoring human family.

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This sassy cat may have had a rough start, but he’s clearly landed on his paws.

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His story shows us that with resilience and determination, and of course help from his human mom, anything is possible.

Check out little Dandelion the video below:

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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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