Monday. Miss your bus by 2 seconds. Long line to get coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Random raincloud after weather apps predicted clear skies. Getting caught on a door handle. Daydreaming of a certain pastry only to realize they’ve run out. What all of these things have in common is that they can make you a little grumpy.
This post may include affiliate links.
A lot of times we try to hide the negative feelings bubbling up inside. It’s the norm, right? Not even you yourself want to deal with ‘em, so why subject everyone around you to negativity? The only situation where grumpiness is allowed is when tiny dwarf kitties pout and frown. These cats will save the world, I swear…
Sadly, the internet’s favorite Grumpy Cat passed away in 2019; however, a new super small grump has entered the scene and the resemblance is uncanny. Even if your day has gone to the underside of the world to get a little sizzle, your spirits will be lifted by the absolute adorableness of the kitten before you! Her owner kindly agreed to share their story with Bored Panda, so let’s get into it, and don’t forget your frown!
More info: Instagram
The tiniest Grumpy Cat-looking feline, named Widget, has been making waves on Instagram, all thanks to her gorgeous little frown
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Now, would you agree with me when I say that there’s no imperfect cat? Whether it’s got 3 legs instead of four, a banged-up tail instead of a straight one, three eyes instead of two, or the grumpiest scowl you ever did see, the little felines continue to charm and cast their spell of unconditional love.
A litter of 4- to 5-week-old kittens had one such different feline. Significantly smaller than the rest, she caught the attention of shelter workers of the Carroll County Humane Society in Tennessee. They had a dwarf cat on their hands and were faced with a dilemma - who’d be the best person to foster the little one and its siblings for the time being? Luckily, they had just the lady in mind!
A litter of 4- to 5-week-old kittens arrived at Carroll County Humane Society in Tennessee, with one kitten being much smaller than her siblings
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Michelle Roberts had always been an animal lover. She told Bored Panda that she started volunteering at a humane society in 2008, going by to help clean and take care of the animals. “That turned into fostering once I rescued my first kitten,” she said. “Her name was Lulu aka Lucky Lucy, and she was found in the middle of the road at the busiest intersection in my hometown.”
“She was about 4 weeks old and I had no idea what I was doing with a 4-week-old kitten. Her and I figured it out together and I instantly bonded with her. So, she was my first foster cat and my first failed foster,” Michelle laughed. “Over the years, I have rescued and fostered quite a few cats. My biggest weakness, however, are special needs kitties.”
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
In 2020 she received a message from the rescue. Attached was a picture of the litter and a tiny white kitten with the grumpiest face she’d ever seen. “The first photo I ever received of her just made me laugh and smile."
"She had the grumpiest look, like she was already sick and tired of this world after only being in it for 4 weeks.” Considering the rescue had no room for the kitties, they asked if she’d be interested, and Michelle immediately agreed.
Considering they had a kitten with dwarfism, they needed someone with expertise to foster the kittens, and they had just the person in mind - Michelle Roberts
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
The runt of the litter stole her heart. “I was instantly smitten with Widget,” she told Bored Panda. “I feel like every moment I had with her during the first few months was special.” The kitten was born with a form of dwarfism caused by genetic abnormalities, leading to stunted growth and unusual body proportions.
“It was very obvious that she was smaller than her siblings,” Michelle said. “She weighed less than the other cats and just really wasn't growing. You could also tell that her legs were very short and ‘chonky’ and she certainly had that ‘Grumpy Cat’ look.”
“She obviously cannot maneuver around things like most cats,” Michelle explained. “So her trying to jump on the furniture or chase after my cats was just comical. In her mind, she is a normal-size cat and should have the capabilities of a normal-size cat… but that most certainly is not the case,” she laughed.
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Michelle, driven by her love for animals, had been working with animal rescues since 2008 and immediately agreed to foster the kittens
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Widget’s siblings were soon off to their forever homes, but she was home as soon as she stepped into Michelle’s house. The cheeky queen definitely acted like it! “She has been sassy from day one,” Michelle told The Dodo. “It’s like she knew all eyes were on her and she could do whatever she wanted and could get away with it. She is still like that today.”
Since Michelle was Widget’s foster mom, the rescue allowed her to be first in line to adopt her, and so she finally became Widget’s human mom! She has been taking excellent care of little Widget, who now weighs 7 pounds and is enjoying her life with three other cat siblings. Nothing more endearing than a woman who loves her cats unconditionally: “I love her no matter what!”
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
“Widget loves playing with tissue paper and crinkle balls. She also enjoys picking fights with her siblings,” Michelle explained.
“She enjoys a good nap in a sunny spot followed by some stretching, and then more nap time. She has mastered running up and down the steps in my apartment. It’s pretty crazy how loud a dwarf cat can be when going up and down some stairs.”
“I was instantly smitten with Widget,” she said, loving each moment they spent together with the tiny yet sassy kitty
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
She now shares pictures of Widget on their Instagram page, entertaining all 68.6K followers. “It’s crazy how that super frowny face can actually have 50 different emotions in under two minutes,” Michelle laughed. Despite her small stature, the cat is just as energetic and playful as any other.
Michelle believes that she was chosen instead of being the one choosing. “I have always said that a cat or a dog actually picks out their human instead of the other way around,” she told Love Meow. “The ladies at the Humane Society decided to contact me about Widget because they knew I would love her. They knew I would give her a wonderful home and that they would get constant updates on her.”
Image credits: Michelle Roberts
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Widget’s siblings soon found their forever homes, and since Michelle was Widget's foster mom, the rescue allowed her to be first in line to adopt her, which she did
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
But there is a slightly more serious side to this story and that is the health issues that come with feline dwarfism. “I feel like I need to knock on wood before I say this... but Widget is unbelievably healthy,” Michelle told Bored Panda. “Now, I adopted her because I just absolutely love her. However, I also adopted her because I figured there was a really good chance she would have health issues.”
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
“I couldn’t stand the thought of someone adopting her because they thought she was so adorable but then not being willing to take her to the vet if and when she did have issues from her dwarfism. From being in the rescue community, I can’t even start to tell you the absolutely horrendous excuses people will give for surrendering their animals.”
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Michelle loved the kitty too much to let her go but also was concerned that any other person would disregard the potential health risks that come with dwarfism
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Although dwarfism in cats may look adorable, it’s still a genetic mutation which requires know-how and insight to provide the best care for a pet with this condition.
According to Catster, there are 3 types of dwarfism that affect cats: osteochondrodysplasia (short legs, normal bodies), pituitary dwarfism (stunted growth all-round) and selective dwarfism (a genetic defect encouraged by breeders of Munchkin and Minskin cats).
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Health problems that may arise from this condition can include heart or lung problems, neurological problems, mobility issues, arthritis, and severely limiting physical defects, leading to non-stop care from a veterinarian.
People are being advised against encouraging the breeding of such cats, as their lives have the potential to be full of pain. While the topic is still very much under debate, you might want to think twice before getting a cat with dwarfism, unless you’re experienced at taking care of cats with special needs or are open to taking the time to ensure the best care for the cat.
Widget bears an uncanny resemblance to the internet’s adored feline - Grumpy Cat. Michelle hopes that she can follow in Grumpy’s pawprints
Image credits: Gage Skidmore
Widget bears an uncanny resemblance to the internet’s adored feline, Grumpy Cat - who sadly passed away in 2019 due to urinary tract infection complications. Tardar Sauce (the actual name of the cat) was known for her permanently grumpy face, which was caused by an underbite and feline dwarfism. She became famous in 2012 and has continued to bring smiles to people’s faces ever since.
“I have received quite a few comments where people are calling Widget either Grumpy Cat reincarnated or Grumpy Cat 2.0,” Michelle said. “I love Grumpy Cat and have so much merchandise with her face on it. So I am beyond flattered that people would even compare Widget to Grumpy Cat.”
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Michelle hopes her little Widget gets to follow in Grumpy Cat’s “pawprints,” which would help her fulfill her two dreams.
“I’ll be honest and say I have joked for years that I would love to be a stay-at-home cat mom. Also, I would love for Widget to be so famous that she could spread the messages of ‘Spay/Neuter’ and ‘Adopt - Don't Shop!!!’”
“I would love for Widget to be so famous that she could spread the messages of ‘Spay/Neuter’ and ‘Adopt - Don't Shop!!!’” Michelle said
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
So what does the future have in store for Michelle and Widget? The former is still in shock at the interest they’ve garnered on Instagram. “I would not have believed it if someone had told me 2 years ago that Widget would be adored by people all across the world and would have 70,000 followers on Instagram!!!” Michelle exclaimed excitedly.
“I get a little teary-eyed saying this, but I absolutely love receiving messages from people when they say that Widget made them smile or made their [crummy] day just a little bit better. I guess my only hope for the future is that Widget’s frowny face can continue to make people smile!!!”
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
Michelle hopes that Widget’s frowny face can continue to make people smile. We wish them all the best and can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
Image credits: widgetthemidget2020
If you’d like to help support and show your love for the power duo, make sure to follow them on Instagram. They also have some merch on Etsy, and Michelle is working on their official website.
We wish Michelle, Widget and all her siblings the best and can’t wait to see what’s next for them! Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below, and I encourage you to upvote and follow for more! Thanks so much and hope you have a not-so-grumpy day!