Ben Madilynn
Two bonded cats reuniting after being separated has left the internet teary-eyed.
Louie and Todd, a duo of affectionate felines of the Instagram account @louieandtodd, have melted hearts with their heartwarming reunion after spending 19 days apart. In a widely shared video, Louie—a gray cat—can be seen spending his days crying while his brother Todd was away on a European adventure.
The sweet scene captured the attention of many, garnering 71,970 likes and 2.2 million views on Instagram.
According to their owner, the two cats share a very close relationship. “They’re very playful, sweet, and gentle with each other. They have crazy zoomies together 2-3 times per day and like to cozy up together in their stroller rides around Chicago and other big cities. They also love learning new tricks together and communicating to us with their talking buttons (they’re widely known as one of the smartest cats on the internet),” the owner told Newsweek.
louieandtodd/louieandtodd
During Todd’s absence, Louie pined for him, letting out what his owner described as “heart-wrenching meows.” Louie’s longing for Todd became evident through his sad cries, a sound familiar to anyone who has seen a bonded pair of animals separated.
At last, after 19 days, their owners shared the touching moment the two brothers were reunited. As soon as Todd stepped back into the home, it was clear the bond between them remained as strong as ever.
The video showed the two kitties joyfully recognizing each other, quickly closing the distance between them to exchange affectionate nuzzles. “They were both so happy to be back together,” the owner wrote in the caption overlaid on the video as the brothers shared a sweet kiss.
So, what exactly is a bonded pair? A bonded pair of cats is a feline duo that forms a deep and unique attachment to one another, often making them inseparable. When one is removed, the other may show signs of distress, much like Louie did when Todd was away. Bonded pairs are known to share unique behaviors, like grooming each other, sleeping together, and even communicating more with each other than with humans. For these cats, reuniting is not just a happy moment but a return to normalcy.
For Todd, traveling was an adventure, but for Louie, it was a stressful separation.
Traveling with cats, especially when they are a bonded pair, can be challenging. Cats generally do not adapt well to changes, and separation can heighten stress. It’s essential to make travel as comfortable as possible for them, whether it’s by preparing a safe and cozy carrier, planning for breaks, or ensuring they feel secure in unfamiliar environments.
Many Instagram users were moved by the brotherly love on display, sharing comments about how touching it was to witness the cats’ connection. But not everyone approved. Some questioned the choice to separate the bonded pair.
“Aww they missed each other . Sweet brothers,” said one viewer.
“Sounds like you put both through a lot of unnecessary stress for likes and views,” commented julesjschwarz.
Their owner responded to the criticism, stating, “Louie was sad because I was gone, and he habituated after two days. Todd was not sad because he enjoys every environment as long as one of us is with him.”
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