'Elton chose her and she chose us': Giant tuxedo cat falls in love with a tiny patio kitten through a sliding glass door and helps turn a winter rescue into the most wholesome adoption story

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
May 30, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

Elton John turned into the world's most emotional big brother the second Patio showed up outside the door.

What started as helping care for a feral mama cat and her kittens on the patio slowly turned into a classic Reddit r/CatDistributionSystem subreddit story after the family tuxedo cat completely attached himself to one specific kitten. Elton John, a 15-pound tuxedo cat, apparently decided very early on that Patio belonged with him.

Whenever Patio showed up outside the sliding glass door, Elton would cry until somebody noticed her. Then came the pawing at the glass, purring, playing, and patiently waiting for her visits every day like it was the most important part of his routine. Patio gave all the affection and silliness right back too. Elton was already acting like an overly attached big brother before she had even officially come inside.

When snow and an ice storm forecast showed up in January, the decision made itself. Patio was coming inside. The other kittens found fosters and eventually homes, mama cat got fixed and still gets looked after outside, and Patio officially became an indoor cat forever.

Patio also sounds full of personality already. Tiny kittens standing on their hind legs for pets while purring like little motorboats are impossible not to love. The detail about her hanging around during makeup sessions like a tiny alt girl makes her even funnier. Elton really looked through that sliding glass door one day and decided "yep, that one is family."

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  • 01
    My new baby's story: In late fall, a community feral cat gave birth on my patio. I made sure she was fed, made a shelter for her, and eventually got her fixed along with (eventually) her babies.
    via Any_Treat8695
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    Cheezburger Image 10634441216
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    As the babies grew, my 15 pound tuxedo Elton John made friends with one of the kittens through the sliding glass door. He would cry to alert me she was there, play with
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    her, and paw and purr at her through the glass. She gave all that play, silliness, and affection right back.
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    Cheezburger Image 10634441472
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    via Any_Treat8695
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    So, when I saw a big snow/ice storm in the forecast in January, I knew what I had to do. I found the other kittens a foster to be socialized and they eventually
    via Any_Treat8695
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    srians Twice A POR gMix Wor ACHI
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    found homes (mama was stubborn and is still feral, but we keep an eye on her and she's okay!), but I brought Elton's favorite inside forever!
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    Cheezburger Image 10634442240
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    Meet Patio! Yes, that's her name. Can't let her forget her roots! Despite being itty bitty, she holds her own against her brother when they wrestle. What she doesn't have in height, she makes up for by standing on her hind legs to
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    Cheezburger Image 10634441728
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    reach your hand to be pet. Even if you're poking her with just one finger, she purrs like a motor boat. She loves hanging out with me when I do my makeup, a true alt girly! I didn't know I would be getting another cat, but Elton chose her and she chose us
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    4
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    RGQcats They chose each other, so sweet.
    via RGQcats

  • Elton may have picked Patio first, but she definitely chose him back too. She could have stayed distant or nervous around him, but instead she played with him through the glass, gave all the affection right back, and clearly trusted him from the start. Their whole friendship sounds less like a random rescue situation and more like two cats immediately deciding they belonged together. Patio really did not just find a home here. She found her giant tuxedo best friend too.

  • 16
    scarletnightingale Awww, Elton just needed a friend, told you when one showed up and you listened. They are both lucky kitties.
    via scarletnightingale
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    choochoobella Thank you for having a huge heart and for caring so much for animals that are often neglected. Patio is the best name! The pictures tell a story of big love. May you, Elton John, and Patio be blessed forever!
    via choochoobella
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    Appropriate-Law5963 Voids are so cool!
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    Shar950 Thanks for adopting sweet Patio and for helping these rest of her family! It looks like she fits in well.
    via Shar950
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    OrenMythcreant Patio is a lovely void and your tuxie is so sweet! Thank you for bringing this baby into your home, making sure their siblings would have homes, and getting the mom fixed.
    via OrenMythcreant

  • This pawrent seriously deserves credit for more than just taking in Patio. Making sure the other kittens found fosters and eventually loving homes too is top-tier cat parenting. Even mama cat getting fixed and still looked after outside shows how much care went into helping this whole little family. A lot of people would stop after rescuing one kitten, but this sounds like somebody who genuinely wanted the best outcome possible for every single cat involved.

  • 21
    mannycat2 Elton is truly a wise boy. Thanks for looking after your local ferals, you are a good human.
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    gswimagain Elton won big time. Fantastic.
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    BoopTheCoop Ohmygoodness the LOVE in her face when looking at you in pic 5 D
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    Cool-Department1720 Elton John has said this, Patio you're now going to be part of family.
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    Tina-Tuna A Catio on your Patio!! I love Eltons' face.. this is my child meow!! ♥Thank for sharing them and I love your hair reminds me of my Adam and the Ants phase many moons ago
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    Agreeable_Pumpkin668 From what I can tell you have yourself a wonderful beautiful void. May you Patio and Elton enjoy many many years of cuddles and love
    via Agreeable_Pumpkin668

  • Get ready for elite-level bestie cuddles now that Elton officially has his favorite patio kitten inside forever. These two already sound completely attached to each other, so it is probably only a matter of time before they are curled up together for naps, causing chaos as a team, and following each other around the house nonstop. Elton waited at the sliding glass door long enough for this moment.

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    RoanokeSea Aww such a sweet story, Elton John got to pick his buddy! I love the name Patio, she's absolutely adorable.
    via RoanokeSea
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    greyshem Such a fine Irish name: Patty O'Furniture.
    via greyshem
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    scarletnightingale Awww, Elton just needed a friend, told you when one showed up and you listened. They are both lucky kitties.
    via scarletnightingale
  • 30
    honeyapp Such a beautiful story. And your cat Elton John is such a good brother
    via honeyapp

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outside adopted Cat distribution system Cats black cat rescue wholesome kitten stray
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