This darling dude and I go way back to the fall of 2019, when my neighbors stumbled upon him crying in the bushes of a Burger King drive-through—yes, really. Thus, Whopper Jr. was born.

It wasn’t our intention to keep this tiny tot forever, but he fit in so seamlessly with our clowder that when he reached shelter age, he never actually made it there. Everyone adored him, and he completed our household perfectly… except for one small (but persistent) hiccup: Whopper Jr. decided early on that litter box rules were more of a suggestion.

We tried everything—and I mean everything. Every product, every trick, every strategy known to mankind. After months and months of genuine effort, we finally waved the white flag and sent him off to Kitty Boot Camp at Crash’s in January of 2022, hoping a change of scenery might inspire better bathroom choices.

Not long after his arrival, a volunteer family and their children fell head over heels for Whopper Jr. They begged for a trial run, and we sent him off with a pep talk, packed bags, and all the hope in the world. Sadly, on night two, Whopper Jr. made a very bold—and very unfortunate—statement by tagging their toddler’s bed. His trial ended before it really began, and he came right back to us… exactly where he belongs.

Today, Whopper Jr. is a reformed Camp Counselor who leads by example—except when it comes to having his nails trimmed, which remains a hard no. He is ridiculously goofy, wildly charming, and boasts quite the fan club.