Veterinary student takes in a three-legged tuxedo cat with no plans to keep him, but one photo reveals just how much everything changed

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Nov 2, 2026 2:15 PM EST

Every cat foster parent knows the danger of getting a little too attached. You bring home a kitty with the best intentions, promising yourself that you're only providing a temporary place to stay. A few weeks later, they've claimed your bed, stolen your heart, and somehow convinced you that your home would be incomplete without them. Oops!

Foster fails are practically a tradition in the cat-loving community. After all, how are you supposed to say goodbye to a little fluffball who's spent weeks following you around, demanding cuddles, and becoming part of your daily routine? Those tiny paws have a remarkable talent for making themselves right at home.

For one veterinary student, however, adopting a cat was never part of the plan. Their studies, finances, and future career moves made permanent pet ownership seem unrealistic. When a rescued tuxedo cat named Clay entered their life, they intended to help him recover before eventually returning him to the streets.

Clay had already been through an awful ordeal, losing a paw after suffering a severe wound. He needed care and a safe place to recover, and his temporary human was determined to help.

What they hadn't anticipated was how much they'd need him, too.

Three years later, Clay is still by their side, and the two are practically inseparable. He's an affectionate little gentlecat who loves cuddling and insists on staying close to his human throughout the day.

We all know the joy of coming home to a pet who's happy to see us. Even the most exhausting day feels a little easier when there's a furry companion waiting to curl up beside you. Clay's human says they wouldn't even want to come home if he weren't there.

Clay also extends his kindness to the other animals his human helps. He's especially gentle with incoming foster cats, even meowing at nervous newcomers as though he's reassuring them.

Clay has faced more than his fair share of challenges, including a painful dental condition that required extensive treatment. His human was so emotional about leaving him in veterinary care that they called their mom for support.

The student initially worried that a permanent pet would be too much to handle. Instead, Clay became their favorite part of coming home.

He may have lost a paw, but this sweet tuxedo boy has certainly gained a whole lot of love.

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    I am a veterinary student, and when this sweet boy came into my life few years ago, I fully intended to release him back onto the streets once he was
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    healthy and recovered. As a student, I knew I couldn't handle the physical, mental, or financial load of a permanent pet, especially since my career path means constantly moving around the state and country.
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    995 38183888 19 84
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    But as time passed, everything changed. I realized with absolute certainty that I simply could not live without him.
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  • 05
    This photo captures a moment where he curled up to cuddle with me and we both just drifted off to sleep. Every single time I look at it, it makes me literally
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    bawl my eyes out. Clay was the first cat to live with me permanently when I moved out on my own, and because of him, I
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    have never spent a single day feeling alone. In fact, if he wasn't waiting for me in my house, I wouldn't even want to come home at night.
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    Tuxedo cat waits at door for their human to return home.
    via pixelshot / Canva

    Picture does not depict real parties.

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    I have never encountered a cat quite like him. He wants to be right next to me all the time- even as I'm typing this, he's pressed up against me. We cuddle every single day without fail.
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    What makes him even more special is what an unbelievable host he is to other animals. Whether I bring home tiny kittens, full-grown adult cats, or
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    even temporary wildlife rescues like birds and squirrels, Clay handles it all with pure love. Because I am an aspiring wildlife vet, I always make sure to keep a
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    safe and proper distance between him and the wild rescues, but his genuine warmth shines through anyway. It's the craziest thing to watch-he
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    actually meows at the incoming foster cats to calm them down and completely eases their anxiety, treating them like a true gentleman. He is honestly like a tiny, feline version of me.
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    Two foster kittens taking comfort in each other.
    via Mathias Moller / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    He's survived so much-losing his paw to a severe maggot wound when he was first rescued, and later enduring massive dental surgery for a
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    painful autoimmune condition (FORL). Even though I see clinical procedures every day and tried so hard to stay strong and professional, the moment I had to
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    hand him over to the surgeon, I completely broke down and had to call my mom for emotional support.
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    I never planned on adopting him, but he turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. This picture is a reminder of the boy who saves my life every single day.
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    TL;DR: I brought home a rescue cat named Clay with the strict plan to only foster him through his recoveries (amputation and major dental surgery) and release
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    him, thinking a vet student schedule couldn't handle a pet. Three years later, this photo of us sleeping makes me cry because he has completely changed my
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    life, cuddles with me daily, welcomes every foster cat/wildlife rescue like a gentleman, and is the sole reason my house feels like a home.
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    gargravarr2112 Tuxedos who waltz into your life unannounced are the best pets ever. Mine appeared on my late grandmother's driveway in 2017, scoped the place out and never left. He was her best friend for 4 years and gave her the companion she desperately needed. She did everything for him.
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    I have him now and he is my soulcat. I hope she would be proud of how well he's living it up here with me, he is spoiled, follows me around the house, supervises me working on my cars and snuggles up with me in bed. He is the smartest, most attitude-laden and most affectionate cat I have ever
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    known, and he chose us. When the universe decides you need a cat, it sends you exactly the right one - Clay for you, Barley for me <3
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  • The universe really does have a way of bringing together the purrfect matches! Clay's human never planned on keeping him, but clearly these two were meant to find each other. Sometimes the kitty you think you're rescuing ends up becoming the one you need most. We love a good foster fail, especially when it leads to years of cuddles, companionship, and a whole lot of love!

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    No-Birthday9816 It sounds like you and Clay were meant to be. You are his angel. It's a special kind of trust and love, when a cat- especially one who's been through so much—seeks you out and curls up with you. I wish you both all the best and many happy years together.
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    Altruistic-Pin-2871 Look at cute Clay and the contentment on his face. He found his home and hooman. Clay sounds like an empath, and given what he went through, it's no surprise he is sweet to all the rescues. I could never ever think of putting a cat back on the street!!!
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    swoon4kyun Your soul cat. I teared up while reading this.
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  • Clay is absolutely your soul cat! The way he follows you around, cuddles with you every day, and always wants to be by your side says it all. He knows exactly who his person is, and it sounds like the feeling is mutual. We love that you went into this thinking you'd only foster him, and now neither of you can imagine life without the other!

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    Old-Rocker-65 What a sweet baby, give him hugs from me!
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    Key_Astronomer_4078 I feel you. My Tux decided to choose me out of my family members. She's a cutie and warm to everyone, but she zones in on me - there's just this spiritual connection we have.
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    Icy_Minute2824 I believe a home is not a home without the quiet peace a cat brings to it - just by being there!
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    Human_Discount_2132 There's something inside tuxedo kitties that makes them so sweet, smart and full of love. They're really great and they love their humans enthusiastically.
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    AptCasa Nova It sounds like two Healers found each other
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  • We love how they're both healers in their own way! Clay's human is studying to become a veterinarian and has dedicated so much time to helping animals in need, while Clay has been helping his human through life with endless cuddles and companionship. He even helps comfort the other foster kitties who come through their home! These two make such a sweet little team, and we're so happy they found each other.

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Cats students kitten vet wholesome tuxedo heartwarming
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