In just a few days, 16-year-old Hoonie’s life turned upside down.
The cat’s owner passed away, leaving Hoonie without a home. Hoonie’s owner’s daughter took the cat in at first, but unfortunately, she and her son are both very allergic to cats and couldn’t keep him. With a heavy heart, the owner’s daughter brought Hoonie to Alley Cat Rescue’s shelter in Maryland.
But Hoonie didn’t go to the shelter alone. He brought his favorite stuffed animal with him, a beat-up gray and white cat.
The stuffed animal clearly reminded Hoonie of his beloved former owner, and he clung to it during his first days in the shelter, refusing to let go.
“We’ve never seen a cat that is so attached to a stuffed animal,” Brianna Grant, communications associate at Alley Cat Rescue, told The Dodo. “It really seems to be his support system.”
The shelter staff learned that Hoonie had had the stuffed animal for years. His former owner’s daughter sent photos of the cat playing with the stuffed animal when he was much younger.
“It’s been a long-time companion,” Grant said. “She sent us photos of Hoonie roughhousing with the stuffed animal, so I think Hoonie has a lot of fun with the stuffed animal and seems so attached to it. He’s been in the cage just cuddling next to it, and it seems to really help him out.”
Hoonie is a very sweet, lovable cat who likes getting attention from humans. He’s also a big talker—he’ll meow until someone comes to sit with him. Then, he’ll quiet down and cuddle up next to the person’s side.
Since Hoonie is a senior cat, Alley Cat Rescue wanted to get him into a forever home as soon as possible:
“He is a senior cat in the last stages of his life, so I think people have a hard time dealing with the idea of adopting a cat and making a connection, just for the cat to pass away,” Grant said. “But I’m sure that whoever gets him and adopts him will have a great few years with him. He’s such a sweetheart.”
Alley Cat Rescue put Hoonie up for adoption and shared his unique story online. Then, a surprising twist happened. A man saw Hoonie’s story on The Dodo, and he recognized the cat! Fourteen years ago, he and his girlfriend had owned Hoonie. When they broke up, they decided it would be best for Hoonie to go with the man’s now-ex-girlfriend. After that, the man lost track of Hoonie.
When the man saw Hoonie online, he immediately knew he wanted to adopt the cat again. In April 2018, Hoonie and his stuffed animal went to live with his former owner!
Hoonie had a rough time after he lost his beloved owner, but thankfully he had his stuffed animal to comfort him every step of the way. Now, Hoonie’s in a wonderful forever home where he’ll get to spend his golden years!
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