'She and I are lucky we found each other': Tiny kitten rescued from a truck’s wheelwell goes from frightened and fragile to thriving in a loving furever home

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Nov 5, 2025 6:00 PM EST

On the way to meet friends one evening, a quick stop at a red light turned into an unexpected rescue. A tiny kitten was spotted in danger near the street and, after some quick thinking, ended up hiding in a truck's engine bay. It took patience and gentle coaxing to get her out, but soon she was safe, fed, and getting her first much-needed bath. Exhausted, she fell asleep right in caring hands, finally out of harm's way.

Her new pawrent named her Chassis Von Wheelwell, a perfect tribute to her dramatic hiding place. At first, she was timid and avoided anyone walking directly toward her, earning the nickname "Squirrelly Girl." Over time, though, she's relaxed and learned the comfort of home.

Now she's playful, affectionate on her own terms, and a loyal little companion. She wrestles with the other cats, attacks toes under blankets, and loves watching the world from the window. Chassis may have started life scared and alone, but she's found safety, friendship, and a family that adores her.

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  • 01
    Earlier this year I was heading to hang out with friends for the first time in a while after work. While stopped at a light I looked across the street and saw this little one in the gutter almost getting hit. I turned around as fast as I could and hopped out. She wasn't there
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    Cheezburger Image 10571791360
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    when I rounded the truck. I thought she ran into the road or back up into the yard. I looked under the truck just in time to see her tail disappearing into the engine bay. I turned off the
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    99 K11
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    engine as fast as I could and popped the hood to, once again, see her tail disappearing this time down into the wheelwell.
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    MICHELIN Total Performance TR ADWEAR 540 TRACTION A TEMPERATURE A S Ford MICHE LARIAT
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  • 07
    Took a bit to get her out and once I did she was extremely displeased with her predicament. Took her home and she got a much needed flea bath and she then passed out in my hands from exhaustion. She was so tiny. We named her Chassis Von Wheelwell.
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    Cheezburger Image 10571790848
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    She's still tiny and has her quirks. She was scared of us for quite a few months. You couldn't walk directly at her if you hoped to pet her. We call her Squirrelly Girl. She's slowly leveling out and is starting to snuggle when her
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    Cheezburger Image 10571791872
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    brain allows it. She plays with our other cats and has vowed vengeance against our toes under the blankets. Loves terrorizing our oldest cat and watching the outside world
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    Cheezburger Image 10571790336
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    through the window. She's my companion while I study to try to finish college. She and I are lucky we found each other.
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    Cheezburger Image 10571791104
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  • 15
    Opening-Ad1276 Thank you for saving and taking such good care of her! She's a beauty!
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  • 16
    Have_a_butchers_ She's a picture of health now, beautiful cat
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    DLeotaud1 What a glow up! She's gorgeous
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  • Love and care can truly work magic on a cat. With patience, safety, and gentle affection, even the most timid little soul can bloom into confidence and live their absolute best life.

  • 18
    GraniteStayte Thank you for rescuing and caring for this feline.
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    engagedmind Thanks for sharing your story. It gave me all the feels! She's a beautiful girl and you're a beautiful human for stopping, rescuing, and giving her a wonderful home. O
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  • So lucky you two found each other. It feels like fate stepped in at just the right moment. You rescued her, but it sounds like she’s rescued your heart too.

  • 20
    Complete-Read-7... CDS mechanics at work...
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  • 21
    lagniappe68 You did well, hooman
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  • 22
    nepenthe154 Awesome name! Thank you for saving this little one. Nothing tests your roadside mechanical skills quite like extracting a cat from your car. Well done!
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  • That name is so fitting for her. It captures her story, her spirit, and her little quirks all at once. You couldn’t have picked a more perfect match for her personality

  • 23
    WatercolorCurtain She is so beautiful and incredibly lucky. Besides a traumatic rescue, we never know what happened to a cat before we get them. However, it seems like she's happy and loved in her new home and will hopefully get over her anxieties!
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    sjm294 That's so nice
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wholesome cds heartwarming feline Cat distribution system Cats stray rescue
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