After her brother suddenly passes, the sister is left with his sweet 3-year-old orange cat, and although both her roommates are allergic, they fall in love with the little feline and happily take her home

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Aug 11, 2026 5:30 PM EDT

When a cat unexpectedly loses its owner, nothing matters except mending the cat's broken heart. 

We always say that there could be nothing worse than losing our kitties. The older my cat gets, the more I think about this moment, the more I worry about her and about myself. She's my soul cat, my first cat after having never grown up with pets, and this cat has saved my life and helped me get through so, so much. The thought of her leaving me is unbearable, but it's not the worst. The worst option would be me leaving her. 

For a cat to lose its owner… there could be nothing worse. The cat doesn't understand. As far as the cat is concerned, one day, out of nowhere, their owner, who has been their everything for so long, just leaves. And doesn't come back. We imagine that it feels more like betrayal than anything else. Like abandonment. And their heart breaks just as much as ours does after a loss. All that matters after that is mitigating the cat's pain as much as possible, mending the cat's broken heart. 

For the cat in today's story, there weren't too many options. Her owner suddenly passed, and it was either go home with the owner's sister or be sent to a shelter. And we all know what it's like for older cats in shelters - lonely, waiting sometimes for years for another person to give them a chance. Now, the sister wanted to take the cat, but she was faced with a problem. Both her roommates are allergic. Thankfully, we are talking about good people today, and even these two allergic roommates could not let this cat be sent away to some shelter to be alone. They took her in with open arms and pink noses, and everyone in the house fell in love with her. 

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  • 01

    "Never a cat person, now a cat dad."

    Cheezburger Image 10654530304
    via Novareason
  • 02
    Due in large part to mild allergies to cats, I've always been a dog person. We currently have a 12 year old shih tzu-yorkie. My fiancee used to have cats and has wanted another one forever, but between me and our roommate (also mildly allergic) it was a no.
    via Novareason
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    Cheezburger Image 10654534400
    via Novareason

  • Goodness, one look at this wonky loaf, and we would have instantly been in love. We understand why she became the exception to the rule. Just look at her. 

  • 04
    Then, unfortunately, her brother passed away, leaving a broken family and a 3 year old cat, who was going to end up in a shelter in rural nowhere. And the only house with room was us.
    via Novareason
  • 05
    xio zbo
    via Novareason
  • 06
    Meet Ruby. She got a clean bill of health and is scheduled for a much overdue spaying. She is friendly and goofy. Living up to the one braincell orange cat legend. We got her a cat wheel and we're slowly upgrading her food. to better stuff.
    via Novareason
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    Cheezburger Image 10654531072
    via Novareason
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    Cheezburger Image 10654534144
    via Novareason
  • 09
    Tina-Tuna She's lovely, i'm sorry for your partners' loss but so happy that you took in her brothers' kitty, she already looks as if she's settled in. What's your shih tzu like with cats as my Mothers' is a barking nightmare around them? Also we have that dog basket in giant form lol and as yours is upside down i'm guessing because ... cat
    via Tina-Tuna
  • 10
    Novareason OP Brock spent the first week unsure. She had big dog brothers before. He initially ran from her, then she started running from him (seemed like she was playing, he was serious). Now she lays there while he sniffs at her and she bats at him if he gets to be too much. He still sometimes barks at her when she jumps out of reach, but that seems to be frustration. They've adapted to each other very quick, I feel like. Give em a few months and they'll cuddle, I bet.
    via Novareason

  • It's such a good thing that she was taken in by people who she knew. She might not be able to say it, but we are sure that she's thankful she's with you and not with a bunch of strangers. 

  • 11
    Novareason OP Also, yes. She found the upended dog bed that he ignores and loves it as is.
    via Novareason
  • 12
    Areil26 If you get a chance, we'd love to see a picture of your shitzu/yorkie with Ruby, even if it's just them apart.
    via Areil26
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    Novareason OP This is the best I have so far. RIM
    via Novareason
  • 14
    riverpubby WHAT IS THAT LOAF IN THE SECOND PICTURE, GET IT TOGETHER RUBY Anyway i love her/ r/ntbdbiwdftc
    via spez_eats_nazi_ass
  • 15
    leafmotif_ your late brother-in-law can rest easy, now that his friend and companion has a loving home. bless you for stepping up!
    via leafmotif__
  • 16
    iwanttoreallybad She's a beauty and a rare orange lady! You did score well
    via iwanttoreallybad
  • 17
    razzputinX Same brother same. I wanted none now I have 4, 3 of them were because of me the first one was because of my wife
    via razzputinX
  • 18
    Haunting_Bend346 Congratulations new cat dad! Your life has changed forever for the better!
    via Haunting_Bend346
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    ProperUnequaledPerch You are going to love being a cat dad. Cats bring a special and unique joy to our lives. Thanks for taking her.
    via ProperUnequaledPerch

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