When Jazmin Felder heard meowing from a tree in her yard last year, she didn’t think twice about adding another cat to her already-large family of four.
Felder told The Dodo, “I was raised to always take care of what life handed to me.” “And every time a cat came knocking on my door, I gave them their own home and all of my affection.”
Felder didn’t know how long Buddy, a fearful stray tabby, had been hiding between the branches of the tree — but he was clearly pleased to see her.
“He was at the very top and he was so happy to see someone he came running down to me,” Felder said. “We brought him inside and he was so happy to be there.”
While Buddy seemed grateful to finally be safe and have a roof over his head, he shied away from sleeping or playing with Felder’s other cats. Instead of making friends, Buddy preferred to keep to himself.
Felder was convinced Buddy would always be a loner, until a new addition to the family changed everything.
Six months after Buddy arrived, a 5-week-old gray kitten named Hannah was found abandoned under a neighboring home and, once again, Felder found space for the scrawny kitten to thrive.
Buddy and Hannah were polar opposites in every aspect; whereas Buddy was serious and reserved, Hannah was warm and gregarious. Felder described her as “very playful” and “loves to cuddle up with you and sleep.” “She’ll play with our dogs like she’s one of them.”
In other conditions, the two cats could have fought, but Buddy seemed to want to get near to another cat for the first time.
“When we first brought Hannah home, Buddy instantly came to see her,” Felder noted. “He has always been reserved and shy, but from the first moment of meeting her his entire personality changed.”
Months later, Buddy and Hannah are rarely apart, and it’s not unusual to find the two cuddling on the kitchen counter — Buddy’s paw protectively draped over his bestie.
“They don’t just show affection while grooming one another, they hug and comfort each other,” Felder said. “When friends and family visit they all tease how they want a love like Buddy and Hannah.”
“I think they cuddle and hug each other because they really do care for one another,” Felder added.
Hannah has become the most precious thing in Buddy’s life — and the once-lonely cat constantly works to show her how much she means to him.
“Buddy will take food and give it to Hannah before he starts to eat himself,” Felder noted. “They enjoy batting cat toys back and forth, and seeing who can reach the top of the stairs first. We are sure Buddy lets Hannah win!”
Buddy has not only broken down all of his barriers, but he has also absorbed Hannah’s kindness. All six rescue cats are now part of one huge, loving family, with no animal being left out or sleeping alone. “The next thing you see when you come across one cuddling up and sleeping is all five of the others right there as well,” Felder added.
For Felder, watching Buddy and Hannah’s blossoming relationship has been a true delight: “Seeing the bond they have formed together and seeing how Hannah brings out his happiness melts my heart.”
