Submitted by Animal Anti-Cruelty League – Durban & Pietermaritzburg
Professional photography by Antony Cousens Photography
Some happy endings are worth waiting for. Muffin arrived at Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) – Durban & Pietermaritzburg more than a year ago as a fragile kitten facing more challenges than any kitten should.
He had a hernia and a leg deformity, and during those first uncertain weeks, there were moments when we simply weren’t sure if he’d make it. But Muffin had other plans. He fought, he persevered, and slowly, he grew into the gentle, loving cat we knew that he could become.
Along the way, Muffin found an unlikely best friend in Tuna. Tuna had been rescued from a bottle store, where she’d been frightened and chased. Learning to trust people again took time, patience, and courage. And then she met Muffin. Their friendship blossomed, and the two cats became inseparable. They found comfort and confidence in one another, forming a bond that quickly became very special to everyone who knew them.
When Muffin’s mother, Coal, was adopted, we worried about how he’d cope with another big change. But Muffin surprised us once again. He adapted, leaned on Tuna, and continued to flourish. From then on, we quietly hoped that whoever eventually chose Muffin would also see the special bond that he shared with Tuna.
Then, finally, that person came along. Their new family saw something in both cats that was impossible to ignore. They looked beyond Muffin’s physical challenges and saw the incredible cat that he’d become. They gave Tuna the safe and loving home that she deserved, and, most importantly, they understood that some friendships are simply too precious to break apart.
Today, Muffin and Tuna are thriving in their new life together. After everything they’d been through, watching them leave together was a moment that we’ll never forget.
We’re incredibly grateful to their family for opening their hearts and home to both of them and for giving these two special cats the chance to heal and grow together. Muffin and Tuna remind us that sometimes the animals who’ve faced the biggest challenges can find the greatest comfort in each other. And sometimes, the happiest endings are the ones where nobody has to be left behind.
Kendra Foonk, Muffin and Tuna’s new owner, shares...
Losing my ginger boy, Sven, broke something inside me. The grief was overwhelming, and my heart felt emptier than I ever imagined it could.
Around that time, my mom adopted Coal, Muffin’s mom, along with another cat. Knowing how much I was struggling, she told me I needed some cat love. Not long after, she sent me a video of Muffin that someone had shared with her, hoping to convince her to adopt him too.
The moment I saw Muffin, I melted. There was something so special about him. His little deformed leg only made me love him more, and somehow, through that one short video, I completely fell in love with him.
My boyfriend and I decided to go to the Animal Anti-Cruelty League to meet him, telling ourselves we were just going for some cat cuddles. When we arrived, Amy told us about a sweet little cat named Tuna, who’d become Muffin’s devoted companion. When Muffin’s mom left, Tuna took to him immediately and became absolutely obsessed with him. She’d let out tiny meows whenever she saw him and always wanted to be near him.
As I watched my boyfriend sitting on the floor with Muffin and Tuna, I knew instantly that they belonged with us. In just one meeting, they’d completely stolen our hearts.
What made the moment even more special was Tuna’s response to me. Despite not trusting humans very easily, she rolled onto her back and let me scratch her tummy. Amy told me it was something she’d never done before. It felt like she’d chosen me just as much as I’d chosen her.
The rest is history.
Today, Muffin and Tuna rule our home, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Tuna has grown into the most loving girl and has even learned to sit when she wants food. Muffin has adapted beautifully to life with his deformed leg and lives every day to the fullest, never letting it slow him down.
They came into our lives when we needed them most. After losing Sven, they helped mend a broken heart and filled our home with love, laughter, and endless companionship.
For that, they’ll always be two of the greatest gifts life has ever given us.
