After being gone for 3 whole years, this person's childhood cat, who had run away, finds them again, reuniting and not letting them go: 'I have been walking on the street I used to live on and he must have picked up my scent'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Dec 4, 2025 10:00 AM EST

We think that every cat owner can relate when we say that we wonder sometimes… when we leave our cats alone, say for a long vacation, if they would remember us. Logically, we know that they probably will. We know that our cats love us, and that love like that would be nearly impawssible to forget. But we can't help feeling that tiny bit of nervousness. What if they forget us? How long does it actually take for cats to forget? Do they ever? We've always wondered, and we think that today, we have officially gotten our answer. 

Never. That is the answer. Cats remember those who show them kindness. Cats remember the people that they have grown attached to literally forever. That is the only thing that could explain what happened in this story. Years. It had been years since this cat ran away and didn't come back. But the reunion between this cat and its owner didn't happen like they normally do. The cat wasn't found. The cat was the one who found the human. After years, the cat recognized his human, and he made his way back to them. 

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  • 01

    "My childhood cat found me"

    པ ཅི
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  • 02
    I had a childhood cat named Charlie. He was a tom cat, he'd disappear ever few months, be gone for a while then come back.
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  • 03
    We'll during one of his adventures, i moved. Not far, just more into town. A few years later (today) my brother comes into my room and said theres a cat outside, I opened the door and it started meowing at me.
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  • 04
    And I immediately said Charlie. The same scars, the same markings, the same meow. I cant believe this honestly but its 100% him.
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  • 05
    He came in and i walked him to my bedroom. Now we are laying down and cuddling.
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  • 06
    I've been depressed lately, not even getting out of bed. I was lucky to be awake when my brother saw him.
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  • 07
    Im so happy Edit 1: Charlie meows nonstop if im not petting him. I love him so much Edit 2: Im going to see about making him an ESA.
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  • 08
    I will also be getting him checked for diseases. Also I "left" him because he was an outside cat (my grandma didn't want them inside and i lived with her) and when I moved in with my mom I wasn't allowed to have a cat yet.
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  • 09
    So I was taking all my strays i had gathered and feed over the years to my grandma's new house, she had a big fenced in yard where the cats could still get out and in but no dogs could get them.
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  • 10
    We never found Charlie. I think we was out finding females like he usually did. He was always disappearing for a month or two before coming back for a while.
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  • 11
    We worked on that house to fix it up for the next owners for a long time and we did not see him.
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  • 12
    Its been almost 3 years since I moved. I do not live far just on a branching street.
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  • 13
    Idk what he was doing before he came to find me. But I have been walking on the street I used to live on and he must have picked up my scent.
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  • 14
    He seems to having a breathing problem every so often.
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  • 15

    "Charlie now (im at age 17)"

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  • 16

    "Charlie back then (I was 8 and had already had him for a long time)"

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  • 17
    Chrispy83 Op I've seen how old you are and can guess this cat is so old now, he's made his way to you for the last bit of his life because he needs you as much as you need him. Keep him in love him and pay the cat tax, we need pics!!
    via Chrispy83

  • We agree. As much as it must have hurt to lose him the first time, we think that you can find comfort in the fact that he remembered you. And not only did he remember you, he remembered you as a safe place, as someone to go to when he needs help. That's love. 

  • 18
    Own-Slide-1140 He's yours again. Make him an inside cat and don't let him wander. Collar with tags and microchip. Happy you've been reunited
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  • 19
    OP buttonscouture Id love to keep him inside but I rescued a cat two years ago, my mom has a dog and I live in an apartment that only allows two pets. Im really sad abt it. Im hoping he'll keep coming around and I can keep letting him inside
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  • 20
    Own-Slide-1140 Honestly? No one will notice a second cat.
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  • 21
    OP buttonscouture Im probably going to try to convince my mom to keep him and hide him during inspections
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  • 22
    katielovestrees That's remarkable OP! He has such distinct markings too so you really can be sure it is him. How wonderful. I'm so happy for you!
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  • 23
    OP buttonscouture He also has a really distinct personality and meow. Super sweet, loving and very vocal. His meows sound raspy and sweet lol
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  • We're glad that you were able to recognize him so easily. It would have been so sad had he made the effort to come to you now and you wouldn't have. But the stars have aligned purrfectly for you, and now, you can be happy together again. 

  • 24
    meggannn Yeah, poor guy has probably lived a very full and hectic life out on the streets but is now getting tired, picked up OP's scent, and associated it with comfort. Probably wants to spend his remaining time relaxing. I hope OP can give him a good home permanently.
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  • 25
    OP buttonscouture That does make sense. I've been walking on the same street my old house is on recently. My new house is on a branching street. My boyfriend had convinced me to go on a walk hours before (I really needed it) and we had just gotten back and in my room when my brother told me
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  • 26
    optimal_center That's wonderful! Does he take off because he's searching for a female cat? He'll stay home if you have him neutered. He'll be happier and healthier. You're so blessed to have him walk back into your life right when you needed him.
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  • 27
    OP buttonscouture Yes, he's really really old. I had him when I was 6 and im 17 now he'd always run off and bring kittens home
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  • 28
    No_Bill7679 This post is a rollercoaster of emotions. 1. Skepticism: hmmm, that's really unlikely it's the same cat... 10 years is a LONG time but hey, if OP needs to feel that way to save a cat, sure. 2. Belief: ok, maybe it is the same cat. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, even if it's to make myself feel better. Cat looks similar enough. 3. Joy: nice! Beautiful cat and owner are reunited and will live happily ever after 4. wtf: all this to keep the cat outside and hope he comes back ar
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  • 29
    OP buttonscouture Im just hoping mom forgets hes in my room
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  • 30
    Own-Slide-1140 That's the way. You'll want to keep him isolated for a while anyway so you can get him used to a certain room
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  • 31
    OP buttonscouture We are keeping him in my bedroom and introducing him to the other pets with the crack in the door. My dog loves cats and is excited but my other cat is stressed so we stopped
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