Recently, a group of passionate cat enthusiasts was alerted by their local community about a kitten crying in a dingy street.
The concerned locals reported that the poor little girl had been wailing for three days straight, mourning the loss of her beloved father.
She was seen kneading her father and licking his face, trying to wake him up from his eternal rest.
Unsure of how to help, they reached out to their local rescue group, hoping they could find a way to assist the distressed kitten.
When the rescue team arrived, they first aimed to learn more about the kitten’s background.
Surprisingly, they discovered that the kitten and the male cat she had been mourning, who had recently passed away, weren’t actually related by blood.
The kitten had shown up in the neighborhood one day all by herself, with no family in sight.
Unfortunately, she quickly became a target for the bigger local cats who bullied her relentlessly, refusing to accept her into their colony.
However, there was one exception: That male cat had stepped in from day one, acting as a guardian and protecting the kitten from the aggressive behavior of the others.
The team also discovered that the male cat had his own kitten, who tragically didn’t make it. He had witnessed his offspring get hit by a speeding car, powerless to intervene.
Perhaps in the little stray, the grieving father saw a chance to make amends, protecting her as he couldn’t his own child.
The two formed an instant bond, offering each other comfort and companionship.
Thus, when the older cat passed away, the kitten was left utterly heartbroken, unable to grasp or accept his guardian’s absence.
His cries of grief and confusion echoed through the street, touching the hearts of those willing to step in and assist.
The rescue group decided to keep an eye on the kitten through surveillance cameras. They noticed that she hardly moved from her spot beside her stepfather, only leaving his side for water before quickly returning.
Worried about his well-being, they called a veterinarian. The vet stressed the importance of separating the two to prevent the kitten from falling ill due to continued contact with the deceased cat.
He also intended to examine the adult cat to ascertain the cause of his demise.
They waited for the moment the kitten would step away from her late stepfather’s side in search of water or food.
Once the kitten left, they removed the father’s body and set up a cat trap, hoping to safely capture the kitten for a much-needed veterinary visit.
When the kitten came back, she was visibly confused and distressed by her guardian’s absence. She wandered around, meowing plaintively, searching for the one who had protected her.
The kitten noticed the cage but was hesitant to enter, so the team came up with an idea.
They placed a blanket inside the trap, which had been wrapped around the kitten’s late father, hoping the familiar scent would encourage the kitten to enter.
Moved by the scent of her lost companion, the kitten stepped into the trap and was safely caught.
What Happened Next?
The kitten was quickly taken to the vet where a complete health check revealed she was surprisingly in excellent shape.
Meanwhile, the results for the male cat who had been her guardian came in, showing he had suffered from a liver and lung tumor, and renal failure that had resulted in the loss of one of his kidneys.
It was clear he had endured significant pain, yet he never wavered in his care for the little kitten. His selfless devotion touched everyone at the clinic.
The poor kitten continued to weep for her guardian. The moment she had to say her final goodbye broke everyone’s hearts.
After ten days at the vet, the kitten battled through a case of Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), proving to be a remarkably strong and resilient little fighter.
Missing her adoptive father but otherwise healthy, the vet felt it was time she found a permanent home.
Given her past reliance on a younger male cat, the search began for a home with a similar-aged tomcat.
Hearing her touching story, a compassionate woman reached out, confident she could provide the loving home the kitten needed.
With a three-year-old male cat named Oppa already part of her family, she felt ready to introduce a new companion.
Upon meeting the kitten, it was love at first sight for the woman, who used slow blinks to communicate her affection and reassurance. It seemed the kitten could sense this was the beginning of her new life.
Naming her Sapyeong, in hope of a brighter future, the woman took her home.
Back at home, Oppa and Sapyeong were wary of each other, but the woman remained optimistic. She knew that time heals all wounds and that her cats would eventually become very close friends.
Grateful for the chance to offer Sapyeong a full and happy life, the woman hoped the little kitten understood she was no longer alone in her struggles.
