This lovely shelter cat’s sad eyes hint at a life filled with heartbreak and anguish, yet that sad look only tells half the story.

In September of last year, Nutmeg, as he’s now known, was saved as a stray and transported to Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, New York.

The cat, estimated to be 5 years old, had definitely been through a lot; he was underweight, his ears were injured, and he had a sinus infection.

His continually troubled expression indicated that he’d given up hope.

“When we first saw Nutmeg, he seemed like the saddest cat in the world,” Paige Doerner, the shelter’s communications expert, told The Dodo.

Although Nutmeg had given up hope, his rescuers had not.

Despite the lingering grief on his face, the tiny cat’s health gradually recovered, and his charming nature began to peek through. Still, Nutmeg yearned for a forever home, but potential adopters kept passing him up.

He was cared for by Lollypop Farm and foster homes for the following nine months. All of that, however, has just altered.

Last weekend, the “saddest” cat got the family he’d been looking for for a long time: one that would accept him for who he is.

“A young couple adopted Nutmeg after falling in love with him the instant they saw his face!” Doerner explained. “The adoption counselor who coordinated Nutmeg’s meet-and-greet with his adoptive family stated they were ecstatic about Nutmeg and couldn’t wait to take him home,” according to the adoption counselor.

Nutmeg’s family uploaded a photo of their new pet at home a few days later, and the happiness on his face says more than words could ever explain.

Doerner said, “We simply liked the snapshot that his new family sent us with Nutmeg’s charming smile!” “Everyone who knew Nutmeg at the shelter knew what a wonderful, special kitten he was — so seeing him comfortable, happy, and adored in his new home was the best reward of all.”

Nutmeg’s face was distinctive in its expression, but his anguish was not. There are lots of other cats at shelters looking for new homes, just like the couple who adopted Nutmeg.

“We know they’ll have a lot of fun with their new feline family member,” Doerner said, “and we hope that more people will choose to adopt and start their own narrative with a rescue cat.”