The Day A Kitten Chose His Dad
One quiet Sunday morning, Jo Palma took his family dog out for a walk. As he turned a corner, he noticed something unexpected — a tiny kitten, no more than two weeks old, suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Instead of being shy or cautious, the kitten confidently marched right up to Palma. To Palma’s surprise, the little one even leapt onto his dog as if they’d been friends forever.
With no mother or siblings in sight, it was clear this kitten was all alone. He was barely the size of Palma’s hand, most likely the runt of his litter. Palma’s instincts kicked in immediately.
“If I didn’t do anything, he was gonna die,” Palma recalled.
Palma scooped him up and decided to bring him home, naming him Leo. From the very first moment, Leo seemed relieved and happy.
“He was completely happy that he was found,” Palma said. “He was so curious about everything.”
Because he was just two weeks old, Leo needed bottle feedings every few hours. Palma made sure to feed him during his own mealtimes so they could eat together. Before long, this turned into doing everything together.
Palma began taking Leo everywhere — in the car, to work, even to the gym. Leo happily perched on Palma’s shoulders during workouts, joining in on pull-ups and bench presses.
Through the months, Leo grew from a fragile kitten into a strong, affectionate cat. Yet no matter how much he changed, one thing remained the same: his unshakable bond with Palma.
Today, they’re still inseparable. They go hiking, visit the beach, and enjoy countless cuddles at home. Leo even remains close with the family dog he first met on that fateful day.
Palma may have saved Leo’s life, but he says Leo gave him something even greater in return. At a time when Palma was struggling, Leo became his source of comfort, strength, and joy.
“When I needed someone the most, he was there for me,” Palma said. “And I was there for him.”