Waggles is a 2-year-old, 40-pound pocket Pittie with a heart far bigger than her little tugboat body. From the moment she arrived, she made her philosophy clear: wag first, ask questions later. This tiny burst of sunshine greets every person and every moment as if it is the best thing that has ever happened to her, earning herself a steady stream of admirers through Española Humane’s Fosters in the Pen program at the Penitentiary of New Mexico.

Behind all of Waggles’ nonstop happiness, however, her tiny body was quietly fighting two tick-borne diseases that were discovered after unusual bleeding after spay surgery and even from a “happy tail” injury she earned from wagging so enthusiastically that she split her tail open. Thankfully, the conditions were caught in time, Waggles received the care she needed, and she never let go of her signature optimism. Now healthy and officially ready for adoption, Waggles is searching for a home of her own where she can continue spreading her joy. Española Humane is open to walk-in adopters 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 108 Hamm Parkway in Española. Visit www.espanolahumane.org. Courtesy/EH

Jerry and his best bud Kiko have already lived through the kind of story that could have taken all the sparkle out of a cat. They were among the cats rescued after the Lindy’s Diner building collapse, where nearly 40 cats were discovered living in a hoarding situation inside an apartment. Their world got turned upside down in an instant, and life asked a lot of them very quickly.

But Jerry and Kilo seem to have decided that the next verse of their song deserves a different vibe entirely. They’ve traded their initial uncertainty for curiosity, and these two are now fully convinced that somewhere out there is a family with hearts big enough for them. They’re ready for the soft, safe, purr-filled lives they’ve waited for all along. Come meet these resilient, chunky boys at the Santa Fe Cat Cafe. Visit www.espanolahumane.org. Courtesy/EH