Puppy Walter’s resident cat wasn’t interested in him, but a neighbor’s kitten started hopping over the fence for daily playdates: ‘There’s some unlikely animal friendship stuff going on in my backyard’

Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor

Nov 9, 2026 11:00 AM EST

Friendships are important to everyone, human or animal, and they're sometimes unexpected in how they form.

Everybody has this one friend they never thought they'd be friends with, unless life's specific circumstances hadn't happened exactly as they did to make the two meet and interact. I have one friend like this: We live in different cities and met online in a hobby-focused group. He's religious, I'm not. He's a bit of a square with how he thinks, and I'm more of a circle. But somehow… our friendship works. If it wasn't for that one group, we'd never meet. And if we did, under any other circumstances - we'd probably never have connected the way we are now. And guess what? I'm going to be the witness at his wedding next month. Yeah.

That's why my heart is extra joyous when I see a story about such an unlikely friendship. But add the fact that we're talking about a kitten and a puppy, and it makes this thing a thousand times more heartwarming. Because that's exactly what the friendship between Walter the puppy and Simba the kitten looks like. It seems so very unlikely, but somehow it just works. Every day, Walter is let out to the backyard early in the morning, and without missing a beat, Simba hops over the fence to join him - they play, roughhouse, chase each other, and are generally excited and happy in each other's company.

What makes this even more wholesome is the fact that Walter's attempts to befriend his actual big sister, Annabelle, are met with complete rejection. But that's understandable to a point… Annabelle is a 14-year-old senior cat, and she probably has zero tolerance for the youth's shenanigans. But that's okay - because Simba found Walter, and now they're inseparable.

Give the gift of kindness this holiday season by donating to our Giving Tuesday fundraiser to help homeless pets and animals in need! It's time to pay your cat tax!

01
Unlikely, but very likable

via @lisastelly
02
Such a cute little face that simply shows up

via @lisastelly
This orange cat showed up in my backyard the day that I got a puppy. He appeared out of nowhere and was so fascinated with Walter.
03
And the other cute face that literally just got adopted

via @lisastelly
I had no idea if it was a stray or if it was someone's cat, but it definitely wasn't feral because it let me pet him and sort of like play with him, and he seemed really healthy and sweet.
04
Belly scritches are a sign of a friendly cat

via @lisastelly
I tried really hard to keep them apart because I was not sure about this cat, but then like I couldn't even take Walter outside to pee without the cat coming in the backyard. And eventually I just let it happen.
05
Always roughhousing with these baby animals

via @lisastelly
I called the vet, and he said it's probably okay if the cat looks healthy. And then the neighbor came outside and was like, "Oh yeah, no, that's our cat Simba. He's like a kitten."
06
"Can't catch me!"

via @lisastelly
And they literally play like a puppy and a kitten. Every single morning when I take Walter out to pee - this is like 6:00 AM - Simba hops over the fence, and they just go to town. It is the cutest thing, and I'm so obsessed with Simba now.
07
Playing buddies

via @lisastelly
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And now, the resident cat...

via @lisastelly
09
He's really trying to get closer

via @lisastelly
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She's having big thoughts about Walter's attempt

via @lisastelly
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He's trying yet again

via @lisastelly
12
A stare that would make anyone back up

via @lisastelly
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"Get off my lawn!"

via @lisastelly
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And literally minutes later, with his BFF

via @lisastelly
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Such a cute duo

via @lisastelly
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Run run run! It's playtime

via @lisastelly
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First video, about the meeting of Simba and Walter

via @lisastelly
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Second video, about Walter's relationship with Annabelle

via @lisastelly