Woman Miraculously Adopts Late Sister's Cat After His New Owners Had to Rehome Him
“Well, my life is officially a movie,” writes model and creative director Brie Payne in this sweet video of her lounging on the floor with her fluffy new ginger-and-white cat. And, indeed, it certainly feels that way. Years ago, she tragically lost her sister. Another family took in the woman’s cat, but circumstances have changed for them and they were forced to reheome the animal. Fortunately, Payne came across their Facebook post offering the creature up in time and was able to give her sister’s beloved pet a truly forever home.
“I haven’t seen him in almost five years,” she writes. “Do you think he remembers me?”
Yes, ma’am. We do.
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In the clip, the cat walks by her face, tail straight up in the air and wrapping happily across her in the universal feline symbol of affection. Cats tail-wrap as a sign of bonding and also a territorial marker. It’s clear that this little guy is glad to have found his people again.
Related: Family Surprises Dad With Their Old Dog After Heartbreakingly Rehoming the Pup
In the comments, people are amazed at the way the fates conspired to make it possible for Payne to find the animal again and give him a home.
The Universal “Cat Distribution System”
“I obviously did what any sane person would do and brought him home,” is all Payne says. She credits the universal “cat distribution system” for reuniting her with her sister’s pet. “I was not expecting it to happen to me and in this way,” she says, “but I’m here for it.”
The “cat distribution system” is the term many people have given to the odd and almost mystical way that a cat often shows up in a person’s life just when they think they would like a cat.
In Payne’s case, it was a lucky Facebook post. Apparently her mother stayed connected to the family who adopted the cat on Facebook and saw their post offering the animal up. She sent it to Payne who knew she had to step in.
Caring For Animals After Your Passing
The fate of pets after a person’s death can be one of the most stressful end-of-life tasks to manage. Many seniors, for example, eschew assisted living facilities because they can’t take their animals with them, and there is no one who is willing to adopt them. Some charities have formed specifically to help manage the care and rehoming of elderly and dying people’s pets, but the situation is dire. It can often be harder to find a home for senior animals and many pets who have lived a lifetime of happiness by their owners’ sides are left confused and homeless in shelters upon their deaths.
If at all possible, it pays to start planning for what will happen to your animals in the event of your death.
“I have three rescued cats and two siblings,” writes one person in the comments section. “They know if something happens to they must keep my cats together at their home or I will haunt them from the afterlife. I’ve already spoken to them about it.”
As for Payne and her new, old cat, we wish them many happy years together. We’re sure her sister would be happy to know that he is safe and sound.
“My heart is so full right now,” writes Payne.
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