Selfless man adopts senior Norwegian Forest Cat only two months after his cat crosses rainbow bridge, teaching him that when one door closes another one opens

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jul 19, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

When one door closes, another one opens. 

It's never consoling in the moment, but it's true. Everyone experiences a loss of some sort in their lifetime, but it's important to remember how things could turn out. In Reddit's r/CatDistributionSystem, a man experiences first hand what it feels like to have the cat distribution system laughing at you. He had a 20 year old cat, Manx, and it was his best friend and soul cat. 20 is really senior for a cat, so after Manx crossed the rainbow bridge, the person didn't want to adopt again for at least another year, but the distribution system had something else in mind. 

He wasn't ready for another cat so soon, but he got one anyway. He had already put his old things in storage, when he ends up rescuing a 12 year old Norwegian Forest cat from the streets. He initially takes him in as a foster, but after forming a bond and connection with him, he realizes he can't give him up. The little guy is a good boy who didn't deserve to be hungry outside, covered in dirt and fleas, and finally has a good home. They get him cleaned up at the vet, and the rest is history! 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10648359424
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 02
    I was not ready for another cat so soon. I'd put all the old things in storage, thought I'd give it a year before I started looking for a new friend.
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 03
    Cue the rescue I donated my late cat's food and other perishables to showing me a pic of a cat
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 04
    abandoned at the vet in terrible condition. I offered to take him on as a foster but we fell in love over
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 05
    rotisserie chicken and the rest is becoming history.
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 06
    This 12 year old Norwegian Forest Cat is a good boy who didn't deserve to be starved, covered in
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 07
    dirt and fleas and scabs, or to have his nails grow into his foot pads. Thanks to the vet for cleaning his
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 08
    ears and nails, two baths and two flea treatments later he looks more like himself. He will never have to live like that again. Thanks CDS!
    via u/Brief_Amphibian_3965
  • 09
    msknowitnothingatall Thank you for giving the best. life to this senior Gentleman!
    via u/msknowitnothingatall
  • 10
    Vivid_Anyth4 Youre the best kind of person.
    via u/Vivid_Anyth4
  • 11
    Ok-Conversation-7292 CDS knows best! Thank you for taking this sweetie in and sorry for your loss.
    via u/Ok-Conversation-7292
  • 12
    Agreeable Pumpkin668 You are a good kind hooman. Thank you for rescuing
    via u/Agreeable_Pumpkin668
  • 13
    wonderful senior kitty ☑ May you both enjoy cuddles and love for many years to come
    via u/Agreeable_Pumpkin668
  • 14
    FeralSweater We fell in love over rotisserie chicken
    via u/FeralSweater
  • 15
    UKValJo Turquoise I would ask how anyone would let an animal get into such a dreadful condition, yet it keeps on happening.
    via u/UKValJoTurquoise

  • It's never comforting in the moment, but it is something to remember in tough times. Bad things will happen, there will be loss, but it's important to remember that everything is ephemeral. Good things will come and everything always works in a balance. It's unfortunate that life doesn't always work in a way that we would choose, but we have to stay positive. It's so important to have a good and positive mindset about everything. Being strong isn't something we're born with; it's something that we learn and develop, something that we grow into. If you've ever had something like this happen, please comment below and share your story. Some people are down on their luck, but when they get a reminder they're not alone, it could be the ultimate thing that saves them. This story is so cute because he decided to take another senior cat instead of a kitten. 

  • 16
    Thank you for adopting this sweet little man.
    via u/UKValJoTurquoise
  • 17
    Genet1cGenealogy I am so sorry for your loss. I'd like to think your sweet Manx
    via u/Genet1cGenealogy
  • 18
    sent you a new friend with enough fluffy tail for two cats as an inside joke. This lovely
    via u/Genet1cGenealogy
  • 19
    fellow needs your love so much as your heart heals.
    via u/Genet1cGenealogy

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sentimental cat adoption Cats senior cats
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