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According to Love Meow, a foster volunteer of Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) called Paula Montgomery received a call about a lone little kitten who had been discovered in a bush outside a church. "She was found crying outside with her eyes matted shut, and completely smothered in fleas. She was anemic due to the fleas, as well as cold and hungry," AWLA's Kitten College Program explained.
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The kitten, later named Grace by Paula, was about three weeks old at the time and was in desperate need of foster care. Paula stepped up to the task. "She got to my house around 10PM. I could feel the flea dirt as soon as I touched her and took her straight in for a bath," Paula said.
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Grace had a flea infestation that left her in pretty bad shape, so the first thing she needed was to get cleaned up. After a much needed bath and treatment, Grace could finally relax a bit and rest calmly in a cozy incubator, catching up on much-needed sleep. "She was so exhausted that she was asleep before her head hit her pillow."
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Every three hours around the clock, Grace was fed, and her appetite increased at each and every meal. And of course, her energy increased as well. "By her 7AM feeding, she made it clear that she did not need to be babied and did not need the incubator." She started bouncing around with new strength and vigor, becoming eager for attention and play. Paula placed her in a basket that was lined with soft blankets and a heating pad so that Grace could stay nearby during the workday. "I knew then that Grace was more powerful than she appeared," Paula said.
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At the exact same time, Paula was also taking care of a foster puppy named Ralfie from a different rescue organization. The little pup caught wind of the newcomer, picking up the squeaky meows, and from there, it was history. "He was so curious about Grace and the feeling was mutual."
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"Later that day I let Grace out to walk around a bit, and Ralfie was right there behind her, not getting too close. It was Grace that made the first move," Paula recalled. "She was still unstable in her feet but she ran right up to him like he was one of her siblings that she had become separated from." Ralfie was, of course, much larger than she was. He would gingerly nudge Grace with his nose and wash her face. Despite being very young himself, Ralfie knew to be gentle, patient, and nurturing to his feline friend. The two of them clicked as if it was simply meant to be.
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"From that point on there was no keeping them apart. I watched them closely, but he was so gentle. I do have to remind Grace that puppies' noses are sensitive." Ralfie seems to understand Grace and what she needs, since he's a rescue who went through similar things. The two of them have developed the sweetest bond, playing, snuggling, grooming and napping together.
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Grace, being small, makes up for her size in sass. She pounces on her buddy to initiate playing and fiercely nibbles on his leg to show off her prowess. They are the happiest when they are together, and that is clear to everyone. "While Grace still has some growing to do before she's ready for adoption via AWLA, she would like to put in her request to adopt Ralfie herself," AWLA's Kitten College Program wrote.
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"These little souls were not intended to be alone. I was telling my little sister how much they loved each other and how they didn't notice that they were a little different from each other," Paula added. "She said, 'when you are choosing your friends, you have to look under the fur.'"
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