Jazmin Felder never thought twice about expanding her current family of four cats when she heard meowing coming from a tree in her yard last year.
Felder told The Dodo, “I was trained to always take care of what life provided to me. And each time a cat came to my door, I gave it a home and my whole attention.
Buddy, a timid stray tabby, had been hidden among the tree’s branches for however long; Felder had no idea, but he was obviously happy 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 complete contrasts; whereas Buddy was solemn and reserved, Hannah was warm and gregarious. She is quite energetic and enjoys snuggling with you as you sleep, according to Felder. She behaves like one of our dogs by running around with them.
Normally, the two cats may have fought, but Buddy for the first time appeared to truly want to be around another cat.
“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.
Buddy’s once lonely cat, Hannah, has grown to be his most prized possession, and he works tirelessly to convey this to her.
Before he begins to eat himself, Buddy would grab food and offer it to Hannah, Felder observed. They like competing to climb the stairs first and tossing cat toys back and forth. Buddy definitely lets Hannah win, in our opinion.
All of Buddy’s barriers have been broken down, and he has even taken on Hannah’s friendliness. Now that the six rescue cats have all merged into one huge, content family, no animal is left outside or spends the night by themselves.
The following thing you see when you come upon one curled up and asleep is all five of the others, according to Felder.
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.”
