A woman was at her local shelter with her sister. She thought they were just there to visit the animals. She was holding and, clearly very smitten with, a little kitten in her arms.

Her sister, who’s accompanying her, asks her, “Is that the one?” and goes on to explain, ‘…because Mom told me to get you a kitten for Christmas and Dad’s already bought all the supplies.” The woman is obviously stunned and shocked and utterly thrilled.

If you’re looking to surprise someone for Christmas, this is a great way to do it. This way, the person is involved and active in the decision, but they still never see it coming. Take a look.

In a weird twist, the kitten’s name was “Dusty,” which was also the name of her husband, who passed away.

This is just what TikTok viewers needed this holiday season. “Crying at 7:30 am was not on my bucket list, but I’m so happy she got her kitty.” replied one viewer. Another said, “Oh, that kitty loves her! They’re so content and already so in love with their mama. Dusty sent them to you for sure!!! Love seeing someone else find their soul cat.”

How Cats Help People Heal Emotionally

The medical benefits of spending time with animals are well documented: lower blood pressure and heart rate. But there are also the emotional benefits to consider. Spending time with cats can reduce cortisol, which has so many positive effects on the body it’s hard to even name them all: it reduces inflammation, regulates metabolism, helps mood and motivation, keeps the immune system strong and so many more we won’t go into now.

Petting a cat has also been shown to increase production of oxytocin, which contributes to overall feelings of well-being. Having a pet also decreases loneliness and depression, and, if you’ve ever had a cat, you can attest to the fact that they tend to be very intuitive as far as their parents’ emotions go, and seem to be right there when you need them the most!

In the end, little Dusty didn’t just find a home — he totally found the person he was meant to be with, as did the woman. There is no better Christmas gift than that!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.