A foster family all wore eye patches in solidarity with their one-eyed pirate kitten named Doug, otherwise known as Dig Dug, Diggity Dug, Dougie, and Doogie Hauser. But the best part? They decided to make Doug a purrmanent part of the family!

Foster mom Erin shared the news from Doug’s perspective:

“I’m getting adopted by these goofy folks – my foster parents. I’m not disappointed one bit; they took care of me since I was a wee little one after all. And yes, I have lots of furr siblings, but I am the BABY, so that really makes me #1 around here. They promised that I will never feel less than, and even proved it by sporting the one-eyed look,” she shared with Purrfect Cat Rescue Inc.

Images via Facebook/Purrfect Cat Rescue Inc.

After taking in Doug, he worked extra-hard to grab their attention –one way or another!

“I know they love me – heck, they idolize me – they chant my name all throughout the day! DOUG! Knock it off. DOUG! Settle down DOUG! Leave the dawg alone! DOUG! What did you do? So, a big thank you for all that wanted me, but these are my peeps, and I’m staying put! I’m sure foster mom will continue to post my shenanigans.”

Doug’s rescuers at Purrfect Cat Rescue Inc. thanked the wonderful family, who all wore eye patches except for one house panther who amewsingly abstained. Plus another special kitty who we shall see next!

“[Doug] will forever have eye issues, but who better to help and love him with that? His foster family! We are beyond happy for them all and the care he will always get. The WHOLE family got in on the adoption celebration!! Thank you for fostering him when we needed someone and now for giving him the forever home he deserves!” they shared.

Family poses with eye patches after adopting foster kitten Doug, who lost an eye due to feline herpes.

Doug Overcame Many Hurdles in His Early Life

Sadly, Doug had to overcome many hurdles in his early life, some of which were literal obstacles. Someone cruelly threw him over an 8-foot fence. Besides that insult, he had severe eye infections, Purrfect Rescue Inc. shared. After coming to the rescue, he received extensive veterinary care from specialists. Such expensive care was possible with an emergency medical grant from Greater Good Charities.

Like many struggling kittens, Doug lost an eye due to the common feline herpes virus. When kittens are malnourished and stressed on the streets, they can succumb to all kinds of infections. Even with impaired or no vision, these “pirate kitties” prove astonishingly adaptive but find it much harder to find furever homes. If only more people knew how wonderful and rewarding their companionship can be!

Doug before his eye enucleation surgery.

In Doug’s case, he lost all vision in one eye but can see with his remaining “wonky” eye.

“My other eye looks wonky, but I can still see. Want to test it? Just wiggle your toes. I might need some help rinsing my eye every once in a while and will need eye drops if I get flared up again,” Ryan wrote.

As with most kittens, Doug didn’t let anything hold him back and has plenty of feline charm and endless energy.

“What’s my personality? I’m like one of those goofy, happy-all-the-time Golden Retriever dogs – but in a waaaaay sexier feline form. I love people. I love pets. I play fetch. I come when called. And, I even pant when I’m done playing. Cuz I play hard – no sense in playing if you don’t!”

Doug’s Bestie Flower

Even more touching, the family then adopted Flower, a 6-month-old kitten born with a congenital heart problem called Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Flower is Doug’s best buddy! They’ll spend many wonderful days together thanks to this amazing rescue and loving family.

“Despite her expected shortened lifespan, her foster family remains dedicated to providing her with specialized care. At 10 months old now, Flower finds joy in the company of her foster fur-siblings, particularly her best friend, Doug, and follows her foster mommy everywhere. You can rest assured that she is deeply loved and in good hands for however much time she spends with us,” the rescue shared.

Doug and Flower playing