Recently, a video of an elderly man in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, passing away and his cat refusing to eat or drink followed him in death has sparked heated discussions online. On January 19th, a reporter from Jimu News learned that the cat, who had been a companion to the elderly man for 19 years, has been cremated, and the family may bury the cat's ashes together with the man's.
Video footage shows a small white cat taking a few steps, letting out two low meows, and then staring motionless at the ground. Mr. Wang, who works in pet cremation, told reporters from Jimu News that he received a call on the 17th saying that a 19-year-old cat was in very bad condition and was dying.
Mr. Wang learned from the cat owner's family that an elderly person in the family had recently passed away, and the cat, which had been their companion for 19 years, had stopped eating and drinking, was hiding in the house, and was meowing abnormally. The family also said that the deceased had instructed them to take good care of the kitten, and they were worried that the kitten's condition would worsen, so they hoped to discuss the pet's cremation in advance.
"When I received the call, the kitten had already passed away." Early on the morning of the 18th, Mr. Wang received a call from the cat's owner's family and took the kitten's body home for cremation. Mr. Wang said that a 19-year-old cat was considered long-lived, and he was deeply moved looking at the kitten.
Mr. Wang also stated that he has been in the pet cremation business for eight years and has come into contact with more than 4,000 "furry babies," and that there is an emotional bond between pets and people.
On the morning of the 19th, the day of the owner's funeral, Mr. Wang learned from the old man's family that they had arranged for the cat's urn to be buried together with the old man's ashes.
"This can be considered as fulfilling the kitten's wish," Mr. Wang said.
