A one-of-a-kind kitten that became famous for its markings which appear to spell out “I Heart Dot” has a name at long last. The kitten was born along with a litter of 5 other siblings on Easter Sunday to the Ramirez family in Sacramento, California.

“It’s a message of love to the kitten’s mother Dottie.” said Teauri Ramirez, of the markings on the little kitty.

After hundreds of people posted name suggestions at a local news site — including Dottie, Lovey and Ditto — 4 year old Michael Ramirez chose to name his kitten Dottie, after its mother.

“We did not think it would go this far.” stepmom Teauri Ramirez told the local news. “We just thought it would be something local, maybe a day’s coverage or something like that.”

She plans to get mother cat Dottie spayed, and is happy the kitten’s markings have captured the hearts of so many people.

“God works in mysterious ways and if it meant something special to someone, then I am all for it.” Ramirez said. “If it made a difference in their lives or changed something or brought them hope, I say go with it.”

The little newcomer joins the Ramirez family’s 22 other pets, including 2 snakes, 2 dogs, 5 other cats, a turtle and fish.

Mother Nature’s Love Messages

Although Dottie junior is unique in her own right, this is not the first time that a creature has possessed the distinctive markings of a heart that has made headlines in the past year.

First there was the Chihuahua from Japan named Heart-Kun that literally wears his heart on his sleeve with a heart-shaped spot on his side last July.

Photo Reuters

Then just in time for Valentine’s Day this year, a piglet stole the show when it was born with a series of heart-shaped spots to farmer Eric Freeman near Gloucester, England, and aptly christened Valentine.

Photos Daily Mail

“I’ve bred thousands of Old Spot piglets over the years but this is the first ever to have such a clear heart-shaped mark.” said Eric Freeman.

“It couldn’t be more appropriate with Valentine’s Day just around the corner.”

He’s been breeding Old Spots at his farm for 25 years and said the breed has come back from near-extinction in the past few years.

“I think there are probably around 400 members of the breeders’ club and they have spread far and wide.” said Freeman.

Related stories:

Puppy with a Whopping HUGE Heart

Boris the Sheep-Pig