We all need to have the kind of friend you can count on, no matter what. The kind who shows up without being asked, who stands close when things feel uncertain, and who makes the hard days a little lighter. And while this looks different for everyone, I don’t think anyone could have predicted who would be the first to befriend Rosita the mini donkey when she was born on her family’s farm.
In a new Instagram Reel, @rositatheminidonkey shared that the family’s orange cat, Gilbert, was Rosita’s first friend. From the footage in a clip set to the theme song from the hit show Friends, it appears that the depth of their bond has continued to grow and thrive.
As the familiar “I’ll Be There For You” lyrics begin, an orange house cat can be seen affectionately nudging a pint-sized gray donkey in what appears to be a kitchen. As the two stand on interlocking foam mats, Gilbert the cat rubs against Rosita’s front legs, moving himself from one side of her chest to the other. Rosita appears to love the attention, nuzzling her kitty friend and leaning down in what seems to be a donkey form of hugging.
In the next clip, Gilbert and Rosita can be seen outside the home, performing a similar song and dance. Rosita stands tall as her feline friend rubs his body against her front and back legs, weaving in and out, and using his tail to give her gentle strokes and pets.
In a final video clip, the two come nose to nose as Gilbert seems to be interrupted from a rest by his favorite farmyard friend. It’s in this final moment that it becomes clear that the two have an unspoken love language, as the donkey appears to be greeting her friend, perhaps filling her in about her adventurous day, as the cat maintains intense eye contact before looking away.
One viewer said, “Sooo sweet!❤️ We all need a friend, no matter what their shape is!🙌”
Another Instagram user was also touched by this unlikely pairing and chimed in with, “Omg I’ve never seen something this cute 🥹🥹🥹 I want a mini donkey!”
Yet another commenter pointed out an honest truth about animal friendship, “Animals don’t discriminate, that’s why I love them more than most people ❤️🥰”
What Is That Cat Doing?
In the video, Gilbert is weaving in and out of Rosita’s legs in a familiar pattern that anyone who has been around cats will recognize. This common act is known in the feline world as bunting, according to PetMD, and is one of the ways that cats communicate to show their love and affection. This is frequently accompanied by purring and gracefully rubbing their tail along the bodies of their owners. Or, in Gilbert’s case… their bff mini donkey.
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.