A week after suddenly losing her 9-year-old cat, heartbroken person gets a CDS delivery of a skinny stray cat and is convinced it was sent to her by her previous cat: 'He knew I needed someone to love after he was gone'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Sep 1, 2026 6:15 PM EDT

Cats have 9 lives for a reason. Sometimes, they use one of them and come back to us using another. 

Nothing scares me more than the thought of my cat crossing the rainbow bridge. I'm not ready. I will never be ready. No matter how old she will be when that day comes, that day will be the worst day of my life. I just know it. And the thought of adopting another cat after her… is one that I don't think I'll be able to so much as comprehend. A lot of people are like me in this regard, and I know it. And just like me, these people probably love cats a whole lot and want to give as many of them homes as possible. So… how do you do it? Maybe the answer is the same as it always is, and it's all about waiting for the cat to choose you.

That is what happened in today's story as well. After suddenly losing their 9-year-old cat, this owner was just as heartbroken as any of us would be. And just like us, when a stray cat in need of a home appeared on their property, they faced a conundrum… were they ready for another cat or not? But they didn't need to make the decision. Not really. It was made for them. Their cat simply sent another one for them to love. 

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  • 01

    "Stray showed up a week and a half after my 9 year old cat d*ed"

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  • 02
    My 9 year old boy Goober (pictured last) with FIV d d really suddenly in February. He stopped eating and I took him to the ER where they found fluid in his belly and I had to say goodbye that day.
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    It was absolutely devastating. I couldn't imagine ever loving another cat again.
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  • This is what we fear as well, and honestly, it makes us feel a little better to see stories of people facing this issue too, especially as our cats get older. It's hard to imagine life without the pitter-patter of cat paws on the floor when we come home. 

  • 05
    HALLA
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  • 06
    He seemed to have other plans for me! About a week and a half later a stray cat showed up in my yard, all skin and bones.
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    My neighbors took her in and fed her, but they had a dog so couldn't keep her long term while they looked for her owner. I offered to check for a microchip and search for an owner.
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  • 09
    She had no chip and wasn't spayed, seemed to be just a stray. I kept her for a couple weeks telling myself I was gonna rehome her, I wasn't ready to have another cat so soon.
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  • 10
    One thing led to another and... this is Rat. She's my little menace baby that's learning how to play instead of growling anytime she gets the toy in her mouth.
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  • 11
    She loves a good nap and every time I cook she sits at the counter and watches me. I'm truly convinced Goober sent her to me because he knew I needed someone to love after he was gone.
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  • We do believe that your cat sent this one. Hey, the stereotype of them having nine lives had to have come from somewhere. Maybe it came from here. Maybe our cats just keep being reincarnated into other forms and coming back to us. Maybe that is what it truly means to have nine lives. 

  • 12
    DaSkyler "I heard you have vacancy" Rat, probably -
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  • 13
    LuminousMeatwad Goober knew you needed a friend. He also knew Rat needed someone to love him like you loved him. So happy for you both. Long live Rat and the memory of your Goober!
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  • 14
    Subject Slice_7797 Goober: "one life down. Eight to go. Now... Where's breakfast?"
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  • 15
    Inner_Swordfish7475 I do think your Goober sent her to you too. The CDS works in mysterious ways.
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  • 16
    macrhea69 I see she isn't skin and bones anymore! She's very pretty and Goober was a handsome boy. I'm very sorry for your loss but it's great the CDS sent you another cat to love. Two months after I lost two kitties, this big guy strolled into my life.
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  • 17
    AM UISE ING HOR NG PAD SK OF USED IN OR BL DO CIRCULAT ALID, A SLEEPING DIABETE USE SENSITIE SKIN DIS CIO
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  • 18
    Resident_Lock211 huh. your FIV passed and you were sent another kitty, the opposite happened to me! my tux boy passed in february, and in april an FIV boy began to show up in my backyard.
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  • 19
    needless to say he has become an indoor boy and we're all completely infatuated with him (he's also a pretty kitty!!) my first piebald. he's about 2 and i've had to adjust to the energy of a young cat compared to my 8-13 year olds lol
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  • 21
    rhettnfriends They knew you still had lots of love to give! I'm so sorry for your loss, but congratulations on your gain. She's very blessed to be yours now!
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  • 22
    chicklette Just before my 19 yo cat passed, a full feral showed up and decided to stay. My little old lady stuck around long enough to see him tamed, and then passed, just in time for him to start living inside. She just wanted to be sure my lap would stay warm. I'm so sorry for your loss, but also happy for your new family member. <3
    via chicklette

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aww wholesome cat adorable adoption heartwarming cute adopted story Cats rescue
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