On July 16, 2024, my grandma and I found a kitten outside of her house snuggled up into a ball. He seemed very sick; his eyes were forced shut due to infections and he had upper respiratory problems. Normally, we would leave the kitten alone and wait just in case the mother came and picked them up, but he was different.

His condition was so severe that we couldn’t just leave him there. He looked so helpless and in pain that we knew we had to do something immediately. I called up my friend Mireille (Rascon), who fosters kittens, because I knew she would have the best advice on what to do. Mireille suggested we take the kitten to a vet down in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. She assured us that the vet there was experienced with cases like this and would be able to provide the necessary care.

Without wasting any time, we carefully picked up the little kitten and made our way to the vet. The journey was nerve-wracking, as we were anxious about his condition and hopeful that he would make it through.

The kitten started showing signs of improvement after our trip to the vet. His eyes, though still a bit swollen, were no longer shut tight, and he was breathing more easily. We were so relieved to see him looking much better than how we had found him.

We brought him home, and over the next few weeks, we continued to care for him, giving him his medications and ensuring he was comfortable and well-fed. The transformation was incredible. The picture with the yellow towel is how we found him outside, looking so frail and sick. The one with him in my hand is how he is doing as of Sunday, August 26, 2024. He’s now a lively, playful kitten, full of energy and affection, and it’s hard to believe he’s the same little guy we found that day.