A 33-pound cat affectionately known as “Little Dude” died over the weekend from pneumonia-related complications, the woman who was caring for him, hoping to get him ready for adoption, has said.
Angela Jackson-Brunning, who had been fostering Little Dude at her Costa Mesa home, told the Orange County Register that the cat died Saturday, leaving her broken-hearted.
“I do a lot of fostering,” she said through her tears, the newspaper reported. “But there was something special about him.”
Little Dude arrived at WAGS Pet Adoption in Westminster about two weeks ago.
“There was an immediate bond,” Jackson-Brunning told the Register. “He was such a doll.”
Efforts had already begun to get Little Dude back to a healthy weight, including placing him on a diet. His size limited his ability to walk more than a few steps without shortness of breath, and his heartbeat was barely audible through his layers of fat, the Register reported.
Little Dude’s health problems captured the hearts of thousands. By Sunday, a Facebook page created for him by Jackson-Brunning had earned nearly 2,000 likes. His admirers also donated about $600 toward his medical expenses, which were growing as he received more and more treatment.
When news of his death reached social media, dozens posted condolences on the Facebook page.
“It’s so amazing that his story touched so many people worldwide,” Jackson-Brunning said. “People as far away as Malaysia, France and Taiwan.”
– City News Service