'Stephen sent you a friend': Devastated after her feline, 'Stephen', crossed the rainbow bridge, cat mom finds a tiny kitten in a stroke of feline fate with the same spirit as her soul cat

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 28, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

At some point or another, feline fam, we're going to have to say goodbye to our kitties. 

We know, it's not a comfortable subject to talk about, but it is the pawsitively harsh reality. Everyone has to cross the rainbow bridge at some point, and even though our cats may have nine lives, they still will leave us before we leave them. All we can do is try to give them the best life pawssible before that happens. 

But what do you do when one does? How does one grieve the loss of a piece of their own feline-shaped heart? Well, sometimes, you can get a little help from your old friends even after they pass. After dealing with the loss of her soul cat, Stephen, one cat mom was looking for a way to help her with the pain. In a stroke of feline fate, she found a kitten being given away on Facebook that looked exactly like Stephen! We think he brought the two together, and now the new kitten will live on in his purrfect memory.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10535050240
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 02
    My very cherished cat Stephen was diagnosed with neuro FIP in December. $5k and 4 months of fighting later, he lost his battle. I'm still devastated.
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 03
    Stephen
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 04
    I ended up fostering two litters of kittens in his honor. I did look for another fluffy white boy like him, but didn't have too much luck. They were all snatched up so quick!
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 05
    ROY
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 06
    Then I came across a post on Facebook looking to rehome a fluffy little white boy with deformed front legs. He wasn't getting much interest.
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 07
    ROY
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 08
    My Stephen had been born with a severely deformed tail. He was a lot of work as a kitten, learning to use the litterbox with his tail. I was told this kitten had similar issues, and I knew he was the one.
    via Plane-Cup-3944

  • Don't you just love it when things work out? You literally couldn't have asked for a more purrfect match - a disabled kitty and the one purrson in his area that has experience with kittens with his disability. He might not have been taken otherwise. Again, this sounds like fate to us!

  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10535051264
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 10
    I brought Roy home a week ago, and I honestly feel like it was meant to be. My other cat Nutmeg loves him, and he fits into my household perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better kitten.
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 11
    ོ ས
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 12
    He has a vet appointment in 2 days for x-rays, and I'm so excited for my vet to meet him. She was very attached to Stephen, so I know she will love Roy. Sorry for rambling. Just wanted to share :)
    via Plane-Cup-3944
  • 13
    whoamiwhatamidoing 7h ago Stephen sent you a friend!
    via whoamiwhatamidoing
  • 14
    DeepDayze • 7h ago May Roy bring you much joy like Stephen had before. Looks like Stephen found you a new friend! Also it's great your other cat welcomed him with open paws too.
    via DeepDayze
  • 15
    jeanb23 7h ago So sorry about your Stephen. So happy that you have Roy. Keep us updated after the vet appointment.
    via jeanb23
  • 16
    encore412. 7h ago Thank yog for taking in such a special baby
    via encore412
  • 17
    Normal-Ad2312 .7h ago Stephen totally sent this little one to look after you
    via Normal-Ad2312

  • We're not big believers in ghosts and all that supernatural stuff, but when we read things like this, it does make us question everything. What are the odds? The chances must be so low, and yet, it happened. The CDS does work in meowsterious ways!

  • 18
    Shar950 7h ago I'm sorry for the loss of Stephen m. He was a handsome gentleman. Roy is adorable and I hope he can help heal your heart
    via Shar950
  • 19
    ThatPhatKid_Can... 6h ago Realky beautiful story, OP. Stephen reached out and helped both of you, I think.
    via ThatPhatKid_CanDraw
  • 20
    imscarlettmoon • 6h ago The universe has a funny way of sending us the souls we're not ready to live without. Stephen's love clearly found its way back to you through Roy
    via imscarlettmoon
  • 21
    OklahomaRose7914 6h ago These photos just really made me smile; what a beautiful little guy! I wish you many, many wonderful years with him.
    via OklahomaRose7914
  • 22
    No_Draft_6612 • 5h ago Ok, you got me! I'm crying happy tears. Bless you and that sweet little kitty
    via No_Draft_6612
  • 23
    propersillyman • 5h ago . Oh he's stunning! Going to grow up to win so many people's hearts I'm sure. Interesting fact, blue-eyed white cats and dogs are prone to being deaf.
    via propersillyman
  • 24
    Dizzy-Flight6426 • 5h ago You are an amazing human. You are so deserving of happiness. It takes a very special person to adopt kitties with issues such as yours. Please keep us all in the loop...we love happy endings
    via Dizzy-Flight6426

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rainbow bridge adoption fate soul cat kitten animal rescue adopted feline cat rescue forever home Cats loving cute kittens animals Spirit rescue
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