Grumpy Cat 2.0. Steals Hearts All Over The Internet And Continues The Legacy Of The Famous 'Grumpy Cat'
"People are calling Widget either Grumpy Cat reincarnated or Grumpy Cat 2.0."
Some kittens are cute, and some kittens practically demand attention the second you see them. That was the case at Carroll County Humane Society in Tennessee, where one tiny white kitten stood out from the rest of her litter almost immediately.
The kitten was much smaller than her siblings, with a grumpy little face that made everyone stop and stare. Michelle Roberts, a longtime animal lover and shelter volunteer, agreed to foster the litter, and the connection with the smallest kitten started right away.
That kitten would soon become known as Widget, and her look, her size, and her personality quickly turned her into an internet favorite.
Her name is Widget
instagramShe is the tiniest grumpy cat on the planet
instagram"I was instantly smitten with Widget," says Michelle.
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“I feel like every moment I had with her during the first few months was special.”
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"She weighed less than the other cats and just really wasn’t growing."
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"You could also tell that her legs were very short and 'chonky,' and she certainly had that 'Grumpy Cat' look."
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"She obviously cannot maneuver around things like most cats."
“So her trying to jump on the furniture or chase after my cats was just comical. In her mind, she is a normal-sized cat and should have the capabilities of a normal-sized cat… but that most certainly is not the case,” said Michelle.
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After Michelle took Widget and her sibling to her home, her sibling quickly found their forever homes. And the silliest among them, Widget, stayed with Michelle.
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The rescue gave Michelle the privilege of being the first in line to adopt Widget because she was her foster mother.
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It also echoes a friend’s past neglect and the AITA backlash over adopting a new pet.
She took the opportunity and became her human mom.
“She has been sassy from day one. It’s like she knew all eyes were on her and she could do whatever she wanted and get away with it. She is still like that today.” says Michelle.
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"Widget loves playing with tissue paper and crinkle balls. She also enjoys picking fights with her siblings."
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"She enjoys a good nap in a sunny spot, followed by some stretching, and then more nap time."
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"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."
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Michelle also believes that Widget chose her to be her human parent, not the opposite.
“I have always said that a cat or a dog actually picks out their human instead of the other way around,” explained Michelle.
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Dwarfism can cause serious health issues; luckily, Widget is perfectly healthy.
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"I adopted her because I just absolutely love her," said Michelle.
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But beyond love, she wanted to give her a safe place and help her with her medical issues if she ever needed it.
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Through volunteering at the rescue center, she learned that not everyone could handle an animal health problem. So she wanted to give Widget everything she could possibly need.
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Michelle shares Widget's photos on their Instagram page and entertains many people.
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They even gave her a nickname—Grumpy Cat 2.0.
“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,” said Michelle.
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Michelle enjoys being Widget's mom.
“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!!!’”
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She's also thrilled that so many people love Widget, too.
“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!!! 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!!!”
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Michelle is incredibly thankful to the compassionate team at the Humane Society who introduced her to Widget. They recognized that she would instantly bond with this charmingly grumpy cat. If you want to keep up with Widget's adventures, you can explore her journey on her official page. Additionally, check out our curated collection of grumpy cats here.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on whether Widget truly stands out as the tiniest grumpy cat among them.
After Widget’s tiny “Grumpy Cat” vibes, see if you’re “the jerk” in the neighbor dispute over my special-needs rescue cat.
