When rescuers first saw Juicebox the kitten, they couldn’t believe their eyes.
A sweet little ginger boy, barely seven months old, with four plastic buttons sewn onto his tiny face.
No, this wasn’t some strange fashion statement or cruel prank. The buttons were there for a reason.
And that reason just might surprise you.
Juicebox’s story begins in a Boston home where he once lived peacefully until a sudden and violent attack by the family dog changed everything.
The injuries were severe.
Credit: Kelli Bender/ yahoo.com
He had trauma to his head, multiple jaw fractures, deep cuts, and even damage to the roof of his mouth.
It was the kind of damage that, left untreated, would have ended his life.
His devastated family knew they couldn’t provide the care he needed anymore, especially in a home with dogs.
Heartbroken, they made the decision to surrender him to a local rescue group.
They loved him, but they loved him enough to let him go somewhere safer.
That’s when the team at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center stepped in.
And they knew they had to act fast.
Juicebox needed surgery. But with such delicate injuries to his face and jaw, standard methods wouldn’t be enough.
Credit: Kelli Bender/ yahoo.com
The usual techniques risked the sutures digging into his skin or causing more damage.
So the veterinary surgeons got creative.
And that’s where the buttons came in.
Using a technique that had only been tried once before at the hospital, the surgeons sewed four novelty plastic buttons, two on Juicebox’s cheeks and two under his chin, to stabilize his jaw.
They weren’t there for decoration.
The buttons acted like anchors, holding the sutures in place and spreading the pressure across a wider area to avoid further injury.
It was a quirky solution but it worked.
Credit: Kelli Bender/ yahoo.com
Despite the trauma and surgery, Juicebox proved he was tougher than anyone expected.
He recovered in a loving foster home, where he quickly went back to being his playful, affectionate self buttons and all.
Victoria Odynsky, manager at the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center, said the young cat adapted quickly to the changes, even though his jaw movement was limited.
“He’s remained an outgoing, playful and really friendly cat,” she shared.
And it seems Juicebox’s resilience didn’t go unnoticed.
Once his story reached the public, people couldn’t get enough of the button-faced kitten.
Credit: Kelli Bender/ yahoo.com
The MSPCA reported that they received around 150 adoption applications for him.
That’s right. Dozens of people wanted to give this brave boy a fresh start.
It’s not hard to see why.
There’s something about Juicebox’s story that sticks with you.
Maybe it’s the creativity of the surgery, or the heartbreak of his family’s decision.
Maybe it’s just that tiny ginger face looking up at the camera, buttons and all, still managing to look adorable.
Credit: Kelli Bender/ yahoo.com
And for anyone wondering, the buttons aren’t permanent.
They’re expected to come off after about six weeks of healing, once the sutures and bones have had time to properly mend.
In the meantime, they’ll continue doing their job quietly supporting the kitten who refused to give up.
From a traumatic dog attack to nearly losing his life, Juicebox is now on the path to full recovery.
And even better, he’ll soon be headed to a forever home, one where he’ll be safe, loved, and probably just a little bit spoiled.
Credit: Kelli Bender/ yahoo.com
It’s not every day that a kitten ends up with buttons sewn to his face.
But thanks to fast-thinking surgeons, a devoted rescue team, and a brave little heart, Juicebox is getting his second chance.
Here’s to hoping his new family loves those button scars just as much as the rest of us do.
