Iris
The Feistiest Kitten
Otis
Iris and Otis were rescued as newborns after falling through a construction site roof. Their third sibling found safety elsewhere, but their journey was just beginning. Initially fostered by August, Iris was the feistiest kitten they had ever cared for. August named her Iris, because while she was feisty, she was also a delicate soul. Then came Otis, her quieter but strong companion.
When transferred to another foster, things went wrong. The foster suspected a common parasite but never treated them. August, who was supposed to be contacted if anything went wrong, was left in the dark. By the time they found out, Otis was already gone.
Iris returned weak and starving—neglected. At just four weeks old and still bottle-fed, she was rushed to the emergency vet, and August and Paige would stay in the waiting room for hours, believing that Iris was going to be the feisty kid who made it. Unfortunately, it was too late. Even after her passing, she was lost in the system, her tiny body misplaced in the vet’s freezer.
Iris and Otis didn’t get their happy ending. This is when August started to realize they wanted to be the voice for little kittens that not everyone cared much about. Iris fueled August to create FTTR and do everything in their power to keep every kitten alive, while also advocating for properly vetted fosters, and creating as many happily ever afters as possible. Their story is why Fairytales and Tiny Tails Rescue exists—to ensure no kitten is forgotten, neglected, or left behind.
Even though Iris never got her happily ever after, she will always have a place in August and Paige’s home—and in their hearts.
Theo
The Velcro Kitten
Theo’s story started with a surprise. Found in the engine of a car, he was rescued by a kind soul who knew August would step in. Theo arrived in a crate at August’s office. After being cleaned up, he quickly became the ultimate velcro cat, curling up in August's hoodie and napping for hours. He was so chill, even going through a Wendy’s drive-thru.
He was the most pampered little cat, though eating was a challenge. August would gently coax him to eat by sharing bites from a spoon.
As much as August and Paige had hoped to keep him, they knew Theo would thrive at another rescue a coworker had just started working at, where he would be spayed, neutered, and find his perfect forever home. It was tough to let go, but they knew he was in good hands.
The very day Theo arrived at his new rescue, he was adopted. Although August hasn’t heard any updates since, they know he made it home safely.
Fun fact: August has a black truck named Theo, with a license plate to match. Theo’s name was inspired by the main character in The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, whose full name was Theodore.
Khloe
The Kardashian Kitten
Benji
Bam Bam
The first litter August ever took in for Fairytales and Tiny Tails Rescue wasn’t supposed to be theirs. These three kittens—Benji, Khloe, and Bam Bam—had been abandoned in a crate at 4 a.m., left behind when no one wanted to go through the hassle of taking them in.
They were wild, playful, and full of energy. For about a month, August cared for them, watching them grow until they were ready to be spayed and neutered. When people came looking for kittens, August made sure they met this trio, personally finding them the best homes.
Benji and Khloe were adopted together by two Baylor University tennis teammates. Now, they go everywhere with them—competitions, trips, even posing for photos with Santa Claus. Bam Bam found a home with a Baylor graduate and now has a sibling to keep him company.
This litter was just the beginning, but they proved what August already knew—every kitten deserves a chance, no matter how inconvenient their rescue might seem.
The MVP
The Highway Kids
It was late when a call came in about meowing coming from somewhere high up. A woman had been out walking near a highway when she heard desperate cries but couldn’t see where they were coming from. Animal control and shelter staff were gone for the night, leaving no one to respond.
August’s friend, a volunteer at the time, went out to search. The meows echoed from above—a six-foot wall near a busy road. With no easy way up, they called for reinforcements. Two people lifted August’s friend onto the wall, where they found two tiny kittens, abandoned with no mother in sight.
A third kitten was still crying, but nowhere to be found. The next day, they returned with a ladder and tools. The kitten’s cries led them to a heartbreaking discovery—the kitten was trapped underneath concrete. With no hesitation, August’s friend tore up the concrete to free him.
The kittens were placed with an amazing foster who loved them so deeply, but their health declined. Their digestive systems hadn’t fully developed, and one by one, they passed, unable to keep down food. The last survivor made it to 3-4 months and ended up getting adopted by the foster, but sadly continued to have flare-ups of digestive issues. Despite every effort, he too eventually passed.
The Highway Kids’ story will never leave August’s mind. The fight to save them, the strangers who rooted for them, and the heartbreaking reality that not every rescue ends in a fairytale. But their story fuels the mission—to give every kitten the best possible chance, no matter how difficult the road.