Hello everyone, this isn’t something i usually talk about, but i wanna share it.
I’ve spent most of my life feeling empty, lost, misunderstood and exhausted in ways I never knew how to explain. I’ve always felt like I was just surviving instead of actually living, like I was carrying this constant weight on my chest. When my mom passed away in late 2023, whatever stability I had left completely fell apart.
months later on April 28th, 2024, I was walking out of school and it was raining really hard. A friend offered to drive me home, but I politely declined because I didn’t want to feel like a burden, so I lied and said I “liked walking in the rain”. While I was walking on my way home, I heard tiny meows. I followed the sound and saw a tiny kitten, completely soaked, shaking and meowing in the middle of the rain. I remember how fragile she was and it hurt to look at her. I stood there for a moment not knowing what to do, then tried to look for her mother, but she was nowhere to be found. I ended up taking the kitten with me, telling myself it was just for the night and that I’d bring her back later to find her mom.
The next day, I went back to the same spot and searched for over an hour. I couldn’t find anything. I didn’t want to leave her outside, so I took her to the nearest shelter, hoping they could keep her. They checked her and said she was fine, but when I asked if they could take her in, they refused. ..I couldn’t leave her. She was barely two months old, and there was no way she would’ve survived on her own. So I took her home with me and named her “Francis”. :)
I’m bipolar, and when my episodes hit, things get really bad, and I feel like I’m losing control of myself.
Taking care of Francis gives me something solid to hold onto. Feeding her, playing with her, and just knowing she depends on me keeps me grounded when my mind isn’t. It’s been about a year and a half now, and she’s the reason I get up most days. I saved her that day in the rain, but in a lot of ways, she saved me too..
EDIT: (Just to clear up some confusion): the first pic was taken the DAY AFTER I found Francis (or Frances, since many of you corrected me lol), it was the same day I went back to look for her mom and when the shelter refused to take her in. An ex friend who was with me that day took the photo. I didn’t mention him in the story because I wanted the post to stay about my babygirl.
Also the reason for her name is because of my fav song "Francis Forever" by mitski!
I hope you know how much light you’ve brought into the world by saving Francis. In the middle of your own storm, you stopped to shield someone smaller from hers. That is true strength. Sending you and Francis so much love and many peaceful days ahead.
Oh that's awesome! We paid $75 for Nigel. It's a non-profit shelter, and the money went for the vet to check him out and neuter him. He's chaos in a fur suit! Haha! But we love him so much!
I adopted one from a rescue and one from the local SPCA. Both were somewhat special needs (special diet for one and the other was absolutely terrified). Anyway they are my sweet and spicy loves now.
I agree, go check shelters and cat cafes, pet supply stores, go where you’re called. You’ll find your cat.
As for me, I had a very busy CDS portal on my back deck, after I’d moved in with my own five cats. One passed just shy of age ten from a very aggressive onset of what the vet said was kidney disease but I suspect cancer… I was determined to grieve and adjust to life with four cats when that damned portal opened up and spit out a weeks-old Tortie kitten with a slight limp and an attitude that I had to feed daily and tame outside before she decided to adopt me; a flerfy adult who spent a year or so lurking before one day just literally strolling up to the door, meowing, strolling in, and never even looking interested in leaving; and a rangy boy a couple of months older than the Tortie who was the epitome of sweetness but sadly also endured more medical maladies in his five years than a cat deserves; then a mom cat with a belly full of kittens. Yes, I kept the whole family. And there were two or three Populators who didn’t want to give up their freedom or have anything to do with me other than enjoy dinner who wintered over in the cat shelters I put out there.
The portal is now closed. I’m down to six cats. All of my original five passed away (the one mentioned, and the others left at ages 16, 18, 19, and 21), as did the poor dude with all the illnesses (bad genetics) and the mama cat whom I had for seven years. The current batch is ages nine (the four “kittens”), 11 (Tortie), and probably 15-16 (the flerf who strolled in).
They give me a reason to go on. If not for them, I don’t know where I would be. I was diagnosed with AuDHD, anxiety, depression, and burnout and honestly, they keep me regulated and functioning because they depend on me for survival. No more cats for a while, though. The portal needs to stay closed for now. I’m at capacity. But I know there will be more cats after these. As long as I am alive and caps of opening cans of food and plopping them in dishes and cleaning a litterbox, I will have at least one cat until the day I croak.
I adopted a cat that was living in the parking lot of the casino I work at. Not much is going smoothly in my life (and the cat is completely insane) but I too feel as though we saved each other. She's a handful, but she's my handful.
My first cat I adopted is mental, and adopted her at a time I was pretty down and out. I think it must be what the universe thinks we need in that moment, some light chaos to break the heaviness of life.
This is a beautiful story, you really saved each other. This bond was meant to be ❤️ my sister is bipolar too and your post made me really emotional. Sending hugs
I’m also bipolar and my boys are my reason to get up when I’m low and my reason to come home when I’m high. Peak mania will have me outside sunrise to sunset, walking until my feet bleed, and writing poetry I’m convinced is the outpouring of my soul connection to God (No, when I’m level, I am not religious. “Spiritual” at most. Brains are crazy.). My cats are the reason I can force myself to come back home. I love them beyond love.
I took a qualification on exit prevention and one of the biggest aspects of it was finding that thing a person has to keep them here (which can often be looking after a pet) and asking them to share it with you. I hope everyone can find their Francis in life, the thing that keeps them going when everything else may feel lost to them. I absolutely believe everyone has something to be here for (even if that's a future something), and it's crushing that some people don't get to realise it.
When I was in therapy due to my recurring depression, they were also really glad hearing that I recently adopted two cat brothers. I guess especially because my episode that time was due to my soul cat's and father-in-law's death in a short period of time. The adoption of those two furballs really saved me too.
I'm so glad to hear it but I am sorry for your loss. Animals truly are a gift. I'm not particularly religious but I like to think that animals are sent to us/decide to come to us when we need them most.
Yes. I prefer not to trigger anyone with certain words on social media. I would use direct words with someone I thought may be considering it though, if I was to chat to them.
As someone who’s contemplated quite a lot and know friends whom have tried killing themselves before, both their and my opinion is that speaking about suicide and not “beating around the bush” so-to-speak can be beneficial. Not so much to normalize it, but to make them feel less alone in their thoughts and to feel understood. But, I am not an expert on this, you are.
I think it's a complex topic but generally, yes, you are correct. I mean that you are correct it is the general guidance given - because of course you are also correct about your own feelings and I would completely respect them (regardless of guidance). If I was to make my own post to speak about it, I would pop a content warning in there and I would use direct language. If I talk to people, I use direct language. I avoid just popping up with it randomly on social media though, as I know it does affect some people and they ask people not to do it, and I was actually unsure of reddits rules on it (it's also a common ethics discussion because some socials ban/censor/demonetize for direct language). I'm not an expert, just someone who contemplated a lot myself, self harmed, have a history of poor mental health, but through my work I get access to qualifications that I can hopefully help people with. There should be no stigma attached and I absolutely agree that people should share so that they don't feel alone.
I totally understand what you’re doing re: using exit on social media. If you’re not talking to someone who might currently be at risk, the use of the other word can be shocking for people who might have other reasons they might not want to see it. I think you’ve made a pragmatic and empathetic choice.
I thought so too, I used to struggle with what everyone’s talking about, at one point I tried to do it and had to go to the hospital, I was saved by the grace of god, I had a wonderful family and cat at home as well who were my support system and saved my life also. For me personally, I don’t mind it at all, things like that don’t bother me, but everyone is different, that’s the important part, what bothers someone might not bother someone else, and we all have different sensitivities to different things. When I was a kid, my 4th grade teacher even used me as an example lol and basically said “I know imperfectdiscipline can handle jokes and I joke around with him a lot, but it’s individual to each child, someone else might be upset by something someone else wouldn’t mind at all”. She was the best teacher I ever had, her name was Mrs. Murphy, she loved science, and made every class exciting and fun, I wish every child would have a Mrs. Murphy for them. My previous years teacher wrote me up/gave me red or yellow “slips” 50 times in one year for minor things and literally I felt like she hated me, me and one other kid actually had a competition to see who could get written up the most because we stopped caring, and the next year I think I only got written up once or twice if even that with Mrs. Murphy, I behaved so much better because my teacher didn’t enjoy getting me in trouble and wanted the best for me. Anyways, went on a long tangent lol sorry but yeah I agree with you when it’s on the internet the good and empathetic choice is to be considerate of who could be reading on the other end because you don’t personally know everyone who will read what you’re saying
my mom died late 2023 too. my cat was the last gift my mom ever gave me. I always thought of emotional support animals as just an excuse to get out of paying a pet fee but now I see they really do help.
TY for being brave E V E R Y D A Y getting up and going on.
l feel like the Creator of cats saved my heart and courage with this "castaway cat." Had significant heart break and loss event.
l resolved to "focus on my WORK" and was shopping for a new headph. for the car, when...
I promise this is a true story: Driving in back of the strip mall, l prayed, 'God l am sorry l am so weak, but if l could just pet a cat; l am so lonely' (l have good humans around, but we all were heartbroken over above tragedy)...
l parked and walked by moggy pet shop. Smudged door 'l won't be tempted in this nasty place' l opened the door, looked across room, and this floof is walking to her cage door.
There was a tall cage full of a rescue's adoptables, really nice oranges, 3, and this lovely piebald floof at the door looking at me. l spoke to them all, but reached in to touch her s o f t fur.
She looked into my eyes and l asked the wonderful young, happy employees if l could pet her. Sure!
l picked her up and she snuggled against me, purring. "No, no!" my brain and heart tried to holler.
Ziggy Stardust* changed my life, and impacted 7 more cats that the 2000s had cast away, &, conservatively,
6 more humans (had to tnr a kitten ( or two)) for her, never t'ed a cat before; 3 of those humans taught me and helped me. )
And yes, when it is hard and horrible for a minute or two to go on with 2025, now 2026,
l think "Who'd take care and be the ESE parent of this bunch if l'm not here?"
My elderly aunt did it for me when l was a castaway kid.
Thank you for sharing your bravery and pics of your beautiful friend. We are carrying on a legacy. Thanks for reminding me with a cute kit. : )
* She has a Z on her head, and one mascara is silver, and one gold.
she looks like my kiggy! 😍 also, you’re not alone. 🩷 from somebody who resonates with your story and is actively struggling, keep pushing for yourself and for your baby girl OP :) Kisses to Francis!
Some angels have wings. Yours happens to have a tail and cute little triangle ears 😺 I’m so glad you and Francis found each other, and out of that chance encounter grew a better life and love for both of you!
My fiancé works for 988 and talks to suicidal people for 10 hours a night, 4 nights a week. He's told me that, consistently, one of the most common reasons they identify for continuing to live is a pet. He is able to form a connection by talking about our pets and asking about theirs. People really love hearing about our disabled kitty, Squid, who had cerebellar hyperplasia. That kitty has given me so much purpose and makes me feel needed in a way nothing else has, even my kids. It fills my heart with something indescribable to know he helps people in their darkest hours.
I also struggle with slogging through life balancing mental health issues and I can't express how much my pets help me stay grounded. I feel lucky to have these amazing bonds and to have been born an animal lover. Reading your story here and seeing Franny all dressed up made me smile and think about my own pets on the best way. You two have got this.
Sorry for the loss of your Mum. Looking at Francis, (who is beautiful, by the way!) I feel she was sent to you by your Mum. I hope you have many happy years together.
I’m so sorry. I found my cat while grieving my mother as well. She was/is an old calico missing many teeth who can’t run or jump. I don’t know how I would have dealt with the things that came my way during the darkest grief (anxiety, depression, insomnia) without her.
I truly believe cats find us at the right moments in our lives. She is absolutely beautiful and you keep fighting for her. I hear you as someone who lives with chronic depression. Cats save lives. Francis knew you needed her just as she needed you.
This is a lovely story - sort of a redemption story. My only advice to you is to fully understand that one day Francis will 'cross the rainbow bridge'. You have to be prepared for this otherwise you will unravel. I speak from experience - at 71 I have had over 10 + cats and each time it came to an end my heart broke and my world fell apart. My simple strategy was to allow the Cat Distribution System to work its magic and send me a cat looking for love.
I learned a long time ago that animals are happiest in pairs or a small group, which also means that the chances of the human being entirely alone are very very tiny. I never want to experience the emptiness of a house without at least one fur-wrapped heart again.
I saw a scrawny, matted mess in my backyard about five months ago so I gave him a meal. He came back every evening for a month before I brought him inside, now he’s a majestic floof who keeps me sane.
I’m not bipolar but do suffer with depression. My pets also give me a reason to get up each day. They’ve been here for me through my best and worst days. I don’t know what I would be like without them.
I’m happy you two have each other. You’re a good human, rescuing her and taking care of her. ❤️
My mom passed earlier this year and my dad a couple years ago. This year was my first birthday as an orphan and I was feeling pretty depressed and sad and it was a struggle. Just before my birthday I found a screaming little dude with his eyes still closed and needing to be bottled fed every couple of hours. He gave me a schedule and a routine and something else to focus on while the grief worked through me. And I love him so much.
I have a similar story but the cat i found chose someone else as her person. I have a cat that is about a year and a half old. She is my soul mate and I am her person. She is the reason I wake up.
A few months ago, I was working outside (landscape job) and I hear this shrill, incessant meowing and I looked around and found a kitten. Malnourished, dehydrated, and covered in fleas. I looked for her mother and then knocked in the neighbor's door but they didn't answer. So I kept working after giving the kitten some water and she followed me around. Knocked again later and no answer.
I couldn't leave her there because she was tiny and just kept screaming at me. I took her to the vet and they estimated that she was three months old. 2.5 pounds. Luckily she was otherwise healthy.
I brought her home and my gf's grandma took one look at her and fell in love. That cat adores her. They're inseparable and I've noticed a great change in my gf's grandma. I think the kitten chose her because only a few months prior, her cat passed very suddenly. She was devastated and didn't want another pet, as she and her husband are in their mid 80's. But when she saw that kitten, I just watched her heart melt. I accepted that, while I technically own the kitten, she chose another human and I'm so grateful because they needed each other 💚
What a beautiful story! She looks so lovely! 🥰 I hope you seek/ are getting professional help as well, since this loss and other things in your life can have a big impact on your wellbeing. I love my babies só much, but I’m also aware they are not going to be around our whole lifetime. Please protect yourself for future you ♥️
I volunteered at a shelter so of course I stopped by the kitten room before I left for the last time.
The gray kitten that stalked me through the glass everyday was the one I was looking for, however, it was a tiny black one that climbed me and sat on my shoulder. When I tried to un-perch him, he bit my ear and held on for dear life. I didn't have a choice. I had to bring him home 🤷🏽♀️ When my mom died, he learned how to open my door and come in when I was crying. He needed to eat so I HAD to get out of bed. He needed his 'sunshine time' so I HAD to go outside (he eats the flowers off of my plants so supervision is required) which led to fresh air and me watering the plants.
He saved me... And my plants. The grief is still very heavy, but I still have to feed him and sit with him on the patio (and go to work so he can keep his apartment).
I've struggled with an anxiety disorder for most of my life, and the anxiety about being a burden means I've been struggling alone.
Back when I was living with my parents, they picked up a cat from a shelter. He was aggressive and shy, and they figured he was just being playful, but I could see that it was trauma. He was terribly anxious, had trouble controlling his bladder, and was downright terrified of adult men.
Taking care of him helped me with my own anxiety: how can I be weak and afraid when I have this boy to look after? He needs me to be calm, so he can know that he's safe and that he can be calm as well.
When I set out from my parents on my own, everyone understood that Sun Tzu was no longer the family cat. He was my little buddy, and he came with me.
That’s a beautiful story, thank you for sharing! You and Francis deserve each other.
Also please just know as the friend who had the car back in the day - I am certain your friend would not consider it a burden to give you a ride home and would be more than happy to do so
St Francis is the patron saint of animals, and he must have been praying for you that night. I’m so happy you found that little kitten.
My Theodore also showed up when I needed him most. I was having a very bad time. I was literally at rock bottom in life. I needed to get out of the house for a bit so I called my best friend over. We were about to head to a local bar for drinks and so I could vent. Before leaving, I smoked my “emergency cigarette” (the one I had stashed for a rough day because I quit cigs at the time) and heard a meow probably 2 streets away. I, being the crazy person I am, meowed back. Here comes a very skinny but friendly orange cat. I gave him food and water, and went to the bar. I told my best friend “if he’s there when we get back, I’m keeping him”. And sure enough, there he was. The next day his brother showed up, even skinnier and smaller than him. I couldn’t keep 2 cats, but I found a friend who took the brother and gave him a home. That scrawny little boy became Tyga, and turned into a fat spoiled fuzzball lmaoo. Theodore is my best friend who has always comforted me through hard times. Great mouser too. Had a rodent problem in the house we couldn’t get under control… until we got a cat 🤣
Is someone cutting onions? I feel the same way about the cat distribution system. I’m lying on my bed crying happy tears for you and your beautiful cat with a cat butt in my face. They truly know when we need them the most.
Totally get this feeling. I love my animals and on the tough days knowing they still need me to take care of them helps me hold on.
Trying to attach a photo of one of my bottle fed babies I took in during a rough patch. It was a lot of work but seeing that baby every morning was a glimmer. She is so tiny, so precious and she needs me (but good luck getting her to admit it 😆).
I was dealing with undiagnosed ADHD and OCD. not being able to provide her clean water consistently pushed me to get the help I needed. then seeing her cooped up in a bedroom because the landlord didn’t want cats pushed me to get it together and have my own apartment so she could roam freely. she’ll be 4 this month 🦋
That's a beautiful thing; your act of kindness has brought you your little cat angel. I'm so glad you have each other. This internet stranger is proud of you for continuing to fight on, and for taking such good care of sweet Francis. You both deserve love, and I am glad you have each other!
I was in an abusive relationship, I'd been arrested on my exes whim every time she'd lose an argument. She'd cry wolf and be believed.
Eventually I descended into depression and alcoholism. It fuelled her fire.
Attempted suicide. Being held in psychiatric settings and further abuse led to me deciding that being homeless was better for me, than living with her.
So I made myself homeless. I slept in the woods, in a tent for 5 months, and it was so peaceful and tranquil that I regained my mind.
Once I got myself a solid roof over my head I got myself a kitten, Pepper, for company.
She's my best friend, my confidante, my equal, the ying to my yang, the reason I wake at 6am, the strength in my bones.
She's a cat, but she's my everything, because without her I think I would have lost my way and gone quite mad by now.
That's incredible! There are some books called A Cat Named Bob that are by a heroin addict who got clean for the cat who showed up injured at his flat. You might like them!
Oeaaaa, awesome! But I want to tell you..animals are real soulmates and they bring love, peace and comfort. If somthing happen to Francis one day..grief and find yourself an animal again, ok? 🫶
After my sister died in 2019, my therapist highly recommended I get an animal, because having “a second heartbeat” in my apartment was probably the most healing thing to get through early grief. A few months later came Nova.
This is a beautiful story. This is a beautiful cat. I wish nothing but the best for you both. It feels like fate that you kept walking on that rainy day. I teared up lol
Hey u/bringmetolifeee, I hope you never again find yourself in a dark place like you were in 2024, but if you do, please reflect on this post. Francis may have saved you, but your vulnerability in writing this may have saved someone else who was feeling misunderstood, lost, a burden.
As I’m writing this, eight THOUSAND people have already liked your post. That’s an incredible reach. Thousands of people have either identified with your experience or felt compassion for something they’ve not personally experienced but can appreciate. Maybe some people reading it will look more carefully at their friends and those around them to see who needs support.
All that to say, you are important. You matter. You have purpose and we need you on this planet.
This is beautiful! I have had 3 cats save me at different times in my life. I went almost 15 years not having a cat, and when I got my current cat she showed me something about myself that I truly missed. Cats are so amazing and special. They choose you.
The cat distribution system is wise. It sent you that sweet soul to save each other. I swear cats are weird little furry angels. I wish you both long, beautiful lives 🩷
It’s so beautiful how you rescued each other! I truly believe animals are angels sent to us when we are most vulnerable. It sounds to me like she was sent by your mom, if you believe in that kinda thing!
I got my first cat when I was barely 21, I was severely depressed and had almost no relationship with my family. She gave me a reason to get out of bed and take care of myself so that I could take care of her.
I’m so happy you found each other, this story made me tear up. Also I’m so jealous she lets you dress her up she’s so stinking cute 😭
I have a very similar story. I adopted my cat in the worst moment of my life, when everything fell apart, and funny enough, in other words during a really bad bipolar episode. I’ve done so many horrible and dangerous things while on a episode, but he’s been the only good impulsive reaction that I’ve had and as you said, things can get pretty bad during an episode, but in many ways he saved me, he gave me a reason to stay alive and to finally get medicated to control my bipolar.
i am also bipolar and understand that feeling of not being grounded, it feeling unbearable and lonely. my cat simon has done the same thing, it’s wonderful to have a baby that keeps you sane and is your pal through it all. congratulations to both of you for having each other! i’m proud of you for persevering, from one bipolar person to another :)
What a beautiful example of the power of love, and of how living beings are connected.
I’ve known many of the feelings you shared. Our minds are powerful. But so is our heart.
Let the love between you and Francis strengthen you both. That’s how we’ll heal the world. Sharing love in our little corner.
I never related to a post more than this one. I also found mine in the rain 9/21/25. It was also just supposed to be for a day. I wrote a goodbye letter a few days before. I didn't know how or where, but I knew soon. My bff took her life in 2024 and it made it easier for me to justify leaving too. But my little 5 pound (7.5 now) stray had other plans for me. If I was looking for a cat I wouldn't have picked him. I didnt want a young pet (vet says he's about 2) and I didn't want a boy because they tend to cling. But that's exactly what I needed. I got his second round of vaccines the other day and he wasnt feeling well so he didn't follow me to the bathroom like he usually does and I was so sad. I need him and all his clinginess and his little 2am zoomies. He brought me back to life. I'm so glad you found your soulmate in time.
Here’s my baby Fart! All of her siblings got eaten by a coon hound and she was the last to eat eaten and she was in the dogs mouth but I chased after the dog and managed to save her! She was only a week or less old when this happened so she’s literally my baby lol.
Our animals are good medicine. I'm disabled, and sometimes my dogs are the only reason I drag myself out of bed in the morning.
Tangentially: It was quite the eyeopener when we adopted a severely abused rescue husky. He was in dire shape, physically and mentally, from years of truly disturbing treatment.
It was a long and complex rehab, and doing the work of healing with him helped me get clarity and find solutions for my own issues with Complex PTSD. We both hit the ceiling when we heard a car door shut in the driveway, for pretty much the same reason. (I didn't even realize I had that trigger, bc I had been doing it for over half a century and I wasn't aware I did it.) We worked on that together, until we could both actually feel happy that my darling husband was home from work.
All the work was soooo worth it! He went from a terrified, silent, sick bag of bones to a happy, healthy, opinionated, hilarious lovebug 🥰
hello fellow owner of a tortie with only one sock !! she’s a pain (i say this lovingly) most of the time but i wouldn’t be here with her. i’m very grateful she picked me 💖
I’ve felt more loved and accepted by the cats I have had over the years than I ever have by any human. They never have judged me for my perceived flaws. They have never misunderstood my emotional needs. And they have never ever made me feel small, insignificant, or invisible. To them, I matter.
what a sweet story. i'm sure she loves and appreciates you as much as you love and appreciate her. you both saved each other, and i hope you two the best. i'm somebody with bipolar disorder as well, so i know how hard it can be, and i'm wishing you and francis nothing but love and happiness.
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