Published Jun 2, 2026
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
Sometimes it can be hard to remember how much impact we can have on others’ lives, and how quickly our own can change. A little bit of kindness and love goes a long way.
This is the story of a human, a dog, and a cat who all changed each others’ lives for the better.
He Lost His Will To Live
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
When his old owner had to go to the hospital, this sweet tuxedo cat was found in a very messy home. His foster mom works with an organization that helps street cats, and they were able to take him in and give him a place to stay.
Unfortunately, this boy had a hard time trusting anyone. His first days at his foster home were spent scared and lonely. He wanted to sleep, but was too nervous. Overall, his foster mom said that he’d seemed to have lost his will to live.
It took him three weeks to leave his safe space, and even then he wanted nothing to do with his foster mom! “He wanted to slap me,” she said. “That’s all he wanted to do.” After, he’d go right back into hiding.
Then, a New Friend Came Along!
Image Credit: The Cat Chronicles
Things changed when his foster mom agreed to dogsit a friend’s Border Collie. The pup had less trauma in his past, and was far more trusting of humans.
All he wanted was cuddles and love, which made the cat curious. Maybe humans weren’t so bad?
Months after bringing him home, his foster mom was able to pet him for the very first time.
Now, she describes him as rambunctious, funny, and weird. He’s learned to like cuddles and to trust humans, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped hitting! Now, he does it playfully.
When she’s walking, he’ll slap her feet before dashing away, daring her to chase him. When she’s working, he comes to provoke her so that she’ll pay attention to him instead. “He’s just full of energy sometimes,” she says. He’s so different from the sleepy, anxious cat she brought home.
Healing From Grief
Although his foster mom loves him very much, she’s not quite ready for a new cat yet. After the passing of her previous two cats, she needs more time.
However, watching this cat heal has helped to heal a piece of herself. She was afraid he’d remain angry at the world, but he learned to trust again despite his own grief. All he needed was a little bit of patience.
As much as she and the dog taught him to love, this cat has cracked her heart open, too. “He almost made me adopt him,” she says.
She might not be ready yet, but until then, there are always more cats to foster!
