
07/04/2025
Special Foster Feature Friday: John & Stuart Little’s Journey 🐾
As a nurse, John’s instinct to help others—whether human or animal—comes naturally. So when he came across a tiny kitten with swimmer’s syndrome, unable to walk and found helpless under a bush, he didn’t hesitate. “It was an automatic response,” he says. “I couldn’t just leave him like that.” That kitten was Stuart Little.
Despite never fostering before, John connected with Melinda and took on the challenge of rehabbing Stuart. With daily physical therapy such as bicycle kicks, leg massages, and assisted walks—Stuart began to show progress. “Within a few weeks, he was hopping, then jumping, and eventually running around and climbing his scratch post,” John shared. “It was truly night and day.”
One of the most heartwarming parts of the journey was watching Stuart bond with John’s 4-year-old lab. “They nap and play together like they’ve known each other forever,” he said. That friendship became just one of many joys to come from the experience.
Outside of fostering, John enjoys golfing, watching sports, and spending time with his friends and family—but it’s clear that this rescue left a lasting mark. “I never expected to rehab a kitten,” he said, “but this experience opened my heart to the possibility of doing it again.”
And the happy ending? Stuart Little will stay part of the family forever—John’s mom recently adopted him, ensuring this sweet, resilient boy will always be surrounded by the people who loved him back to health. 💙