There’s no denying the comfort a beloved stuffed animal can provide a child, or perhaps even an adult if that plushie holds some particularly warm memories for them.
But believe it or not, some animals also find similar comfort in having a trusty toy to squeeze, like this rescue kitten who refuses to go anywhere without her teddy bear.
Cricket was found alone in a barn in Indiana when she was just 10 days old.
As Love Meow reported, the owner of the barn had followed the sound of an animal squealing, only to discover the tiny ball of black fur sitting all by herself on the cold, concrete floor.
In an effort to keep the kitten warm, the woman gathered her in some straw and then waited several hours in the hopes that the small creature’s momma might return, since there were no signs of any other kittens.
However, when the kitten’s body temperature began to drop dramatically, the woman knew she couldn’t simply wait around any longer.
At first she attempted to help the little kitty herself by bringing her inside her home and trying to feed her. However, the kitten was struggling to eat anything, and the woman soon realized that she wasn’t the help the little animal needed.
So she reached out Catsnip Etc., a local volunteer-based animal rescue organization.
Upon being taken in by the rescue, the kitten was found to be starving, dehydrated, and covered in fleas.
But thanks to the care she received from volunteers, Cricket (as her rescuers dubbed her), fell asleep in her heated bed that night will a full tummy and sufficiently flea-free fur.
Oh, and with a sweet little teddy bear to snuggle up to.
After that first day of care, members of the rescue organization realized that Cricket and her teddy had quickly become an inseparable pair.
Even once she’d left the shelter and was taken in by a foster mom, Cricket made sure she always had her trusty bear by her side. He’s quickly become her go-to pal for reassurance and, of course, cuddles.
“She absolutely loves her teddy bear,” Catsnip Etc volunteer Missy McNeal told Love Meow . “She has had it with her since the day she was rescued, and it goes everywhere with her. Her teddy bear is her cuddle buddy to sleep and makes her feel more secure.”
A Facebook post from the organization shows that Cricket even made sure she had her teddy close-by when she got her first round of vaccines done, just 10 days after she’d been rescued.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that Cricket has no interest in getting some love and affection from humans, too.
“She is super sweet and loving,” McNeal said. “She loves to cuddle her foster mom when she’s tired and play with her when she’s wide awake. All she wants to do is be around her people.”
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In a recent update post , the organization revealed that Cricket was officially given the greenlight for adoption and found her forever home last month, just in time for Christmas!
We trust that her beloved teddy was also “adopted”, too!
h/t: Love Meow