After 9 years of patience, this man's wife's 16-year-old cat finally chooses to spend time with him, and his baffled reaction is absolutely adorable: 'I told my wife that it kinda worried me a little'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
May 31, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Sometimes, patience pays off. That's what we have learned from this story. Wait long enough, be kind, be soft, be loving, and even the most aloof cat will show you affection. And maybe the cat's way of showing affection will be silly and won't be what you expect it to be at all, but it will be there. The cat in this story, even before showing this man affection in this way, must have shown it in other ways, we believe that. The cat just took it up a notch. He just decided that it was time to choose another human. 

Enjoy this while it lasts, friend, because there is no guarantee that the floodgates have opened. This can showed you love once. Now, you have to prove to him that you are worthy of more. But we believe in this friendship. 9 years of patience is a long, long time, it really is. You have definitely earned some feline love. 

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  • 01
    This is my wife's cat. He's 16 and we've lived together for the last 9 or so years. He's always liked me but never wanted to "hang out" with me. For some reason that changed a couple days ago.
    via General-Carob-6087
  • 02
    TLET THEM YOU AND SA BABY.
    via General-Carob-6087

  • Do you feel the honor? Not everyone gets to feel it as quickly as some. But this is one of the best feelings ever. It's one of those moments, when it happens, that just- freeze in place and don't know what to do. Tears fill your eyes, and you want to react, you really, really do, but you're so afraid of moving that you don't. It's wholesome. It's love. Enjoy it. 

  • 03
    Gwalchmaiaplot1963 Sometimes cats can do this when there is something wrong and they seek comfort, hoping you can give it, other times it's just because they are older and have decided they want to be near you in what may be their final years. If the cat is off his food take it in for a check up. It may be old age or it may be a warning sign. I wish you and the cat the best of luck.
    via Gwalchmaiaplot1963
  • 04
    General-Carob-6087 OP He goes in for frequent checkups as we know he's an old man. Still eating like normal and plays and is still very athletic. Just seems odd to me that he's suddenly started cuddling and hanging out with me even when my wife is here. When she's gone for business he would always want pets and some attention but never anything like the picture above. Especially with her at home. Edit: I guess I should mention that normally if she's here the cat doesn't leave her side.
    via General-Carob-6087
  • 05
    iMightBeAC nt I think it's normal. I had a cat growing up who straight up hated everyone except my mom (as a cat lover, this was devastating to me) but when she turned 15 or so, warmed up to me and the rest of my family significantly. She lived to 21.
    via iMightBeAC*nt
  • 06
    silvermoonchan I'd go to the doctor and get checked out. Sometimes when a pet suddenly gets clingy it's a sign something in your body has changed and they can sense it. You see it a lot when women get pregnant, sometimes the pets know before she even does
    via silvermoonchan
  • 07
    General-Carob-6087 OP He goes frequently due to his age. Was just there a couple weeks ago and no real concerns. He's had a thyroid issue but that hasn't changed much. Other than his sudden change in wanting to hangout with me he seems totally normal. Playing, eating, being a j to my dog. All things he normally enjoys. Just weird to me because normally he never leaves my wife's side. So it was odd that he suddenly wanted to spend time with me after all these years. Especially when she's been her
    via General-Carob-6087
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10510184448
    via Unsplash / Raquel Chavez - rrrrreich

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    PersistantBooger You're the new him. He now trusts you enough to cuddle, and that you'll look after his mama for the rest of your life; that was his job and it is now yours. Give lots of pats and skritches!
    via PersistantBooger
  • 10
    General-Carob-6087 OP I told my wife that it kinda worried me a little. I was like, "is he about to di and this is his way of letting me know?"
    via General-Carob-6087
  • 11
    Malnurtured_Snay "Well, I guess he is going to stick around. Might well make him mine."
    via Malnurtured_Snay
  • 12
    General-Carob-6087 OP You know, this might be part of it. His brother immediately attached to me and the dog I had at that time. This guy seemed to kinda resent his brother's relationship with me and the dog. So maybe it just took him a while to come around.
    via General-Carob-6087
  • 13
    General-Carob-6087 OP He's a sweet guy. My dog thinks they're best friends. Not sure the cat feels the same ha
    via General-Carob-6087
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10510184704
    via Unsplash / Raquel Chavez - rrrrreich

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The baffled reaction makes us like this husband more. We can see why your wife chose you. It's just so wholesome. The fact that it made this man worry instead of being elated is a good thing - it means that he is paying attention to the cat's behavior. It means that he cares. 

  • 15
    TinktheChi I have reconsidered my distaste for you. You may pet me.
    via TinktheChi
  • 16
    Sodamyte He's old and youre an acceptable source of warmth now
    via Sodamyte
  • 17
    Dense-Stage9945 My cat is 16 and didn't care for my wife (or other people in general) for the first 7 years we were together. About 3 years. Ago he started going up to her and yelling at her to pet him. He has just gotten cuddlier in his old age. It happens. He has accepted you and you should give him love. Congrats! :)
    via Dense-Stage9945
  • 18
    SentaDR Cats are on their own time table. If you let them come to you, it is a beautiful thing.
    via SentaDR
  • 19
    gin_and_soda Behaviour changes as they age.
    via gin_and_soda
  • 20
    JoeyHandsomeJoe Old kittys run cold. They gotta warm their old bones.
    via JoeyHandsomeJoe

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aww pics wholesome cat adorable cute cute cats Cats
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