Sometimes it’s the littlest helpers that are the wisest ones in the room. For a three-week-old kitten named Ariel, her life was saved in the arms of an unexpected hero. Abandoned by her feral cat mother in a cat colony in California, Ariel’s future looked uncertain until fate intervened in the form of a 10-year-old boy named Zack Gross.
The kitten’s journey began when she was discovered and taken in by MeoowzResQ, a rescue group based in Orange, Calif. With no mother to help her grow, Ariel’s prospects seemed bleak until Kelli Gross stepped in to offer her a chance at a better life. As an experienced foster for rescue animals, Kelli had already welcomed numerous kittens into her home, but Ariel’s case was a tough one.
Ariel gets loved on by the resident cat mama. Photo courtesy of Kelli Gross
Accompanied by her younger brother Zack, Kelli went to the local vet’s office to collect Ariel. Upon meeting the distressed kitten, the only thing they could hear is the constant meowing Ariel made. Nothing Kelli did seemed to soothe the tiny thing. However, Zack’s gentle touch and reassuring words worked wonders as he cradled Ariel in his arms, promising her that everything would be alright. “It was like magic,” Kelli recalled.
He put a blanket down in his lap and bundled her up. She was sound asleep and didn’t make a peep during the whole 30-minute car ride home.”
Upon arriving home, Ariel was introduced to Twilight, the resident cat mom, in the hopes that she would find comfort and nourishment in her new surrogate mother. While Twilight readily accepted Ariel into her care, the kitten struggled to adapt, prompting Zack to jump to the rescue again.
With patience and persistence, Zack gently guided Ariel back to Twilight whenever she wandered away, ensuring that the little kitten would learn to nurse and thrive under her new mother’s care. His dedication and instant connection with the animals he cared for left a lasting impression on his sister.
Zack feeds one of the rescue kittens. Photo courtesy of Kelli Gross
Once Ariel latched on, it was the happiest moment for the little fur baby. “You can tell how truly happy she is and you can hear her purring,” Kelli said. “Teaching kids to be kind with animals has always been so important to me,” she said. My brother is amazing with them.”
Watching her brother’s kindness to the animals is what rescuing is all about for Kelli. “He has a routine of waking up and telling them good morning every day before school and then coming and kissing every single one goodnight before bed. He makes sure that they all feel included.”
Zack gets as much comfort from the animals as he gives them. “He misses them when he’s away and they’re the first thing he says ‘Hi’ to when he gets home from anywhere,” Kelli said. “He just makes it effortless and you can tell that it’s actually ingrained into his heart.” Watch below to see Zack help Ariel relax and learn to love her new cat mom.