Tennessee Saint Bernard Gets So Attached To A Foster Cat That Her Family Starts Rethinking Everything
In Tennessee, when a family brought home a temporary foster cat, their dog Dakota fell so deeply in love that they had to keep him. Now, she serves as the ultimate foster mom for rescued litters.
A Feline At Heart
In Tennessee, Dakota is not your average dog. In fact, according to her family, she identifies as a cat.
Whenever a feline friend is nearby, Dakota gets incredibly close to the ground. She waits patiently for them to approach, trying her best not to overwhelm them.
But beneath her calm exterior, she is bursting with joy. Her body actually starts to tremor with excitement as she thinks, Oh my gosh, they’re getting close to me.
Raised Alongside Cats
Dakota’s love for cats isn’t a new development. Her family has had her since she was just a tiny pup.
Growing up in a household that already had two resident cats, Dakota learned their ways early on. She always showed a deep, gentle attraction to her feline siblings.
There was a time when Dakota was kitten-sized herself, and those early interactions shaped her entire personality.
The Foster Who Stayed
The family’s dynamic shifted when they acquired a third cat. The initial plan was strictly to foster and rehome the new arrival.
They even joked with each other, saying, “All right. I’m serious. You can’t keep him. No, no.”
But that plan quickly fell apart, and it was all because of Dakota. The dog and the new cat formed an instant, undeniable connection.
An Unbreakable Bond
The new cat became completely obsessed with Dakota. He refused to leave her side.
Dakota would gently wrestle and play with him, matching his feline energy perfectly. They truly took to each other in a way the family hadn’t expected.
Because of this beautiful friendship, the cat ended up staying for good, officially becoming a permanent part of the pack.
Joining The Rescue Mission
Inspired by Dakota’s incredible gentle nature with cats, her owner decided to take their love for animals a step further.
She started working with a local animal rescue in Nashville called Critter Cavalry. She officially joined their foster program to help save more lives.
This meant that their home would soon become a safe haven for vulnerable animals, and Dakota was about to get the job of a lifetime.
The Magic Words
Sometimes the family acquires a handful of kittens through the rescue. These tiny babies are undoubtedly Dakota’s favorite guests.
When it’s time for a visit, her owners simply ask, “Want to go see the babies?” That simple phrase is Dakota’s ultimate cue.
Immediately, she turns and starts walking eagerly toward the upstairs bedroom where the kittens are kept safely.
A Careful Introduction
Whenever a new litter of kittens arrives, the family gives them a day or two to calm down and decompress in their new environment.
But pretty quickly after that, Dakota is brought into the mix. Her owners can’t keep her away for long because she simply can’t contain herself.
She paces and waits, fully aware that there are tiny felines in the house just waiting to be loved.
The Fluffy Jungle Gym
It usually takes about 24 hours for the new kittens to realize that this large dog is actually their best friend.
Once they figure it out, they are all about it. They quickly discover that Dakota is basically a warm, fluffy jungle gym.
The kittens climb all over her face and body, and Dakota happily accepts every single moment of the chaotic affection.
Preparing Them For The Future
There are so many animals in the world who need to be rescued and adopted into loving homes.
By allowing Dakota to interact with these foster kittens, the family is helping socialize the tiny cats, preparing them to thrive in homes with multiple animals.
For Dakota’s owner, it is an incredibly rewarding journey, and she couldn’t be happier that her sweet, cat-loving dog gets to be a crucial part of saving so many lives.
