Texas Man Follows Desperate Cries From A Bus Engine And Finds His Future Best Friend

cat cries

One evening, while on his way home, Mateo caught the sound of soft, desperate meows coming from a parked bus. 

The cries were faint, but they immediately pulled at his heart. He leaned closer, listening carefully, until he realised the tiny voice was coming from deep inside the engine compartment. 

Without hesitation, he ran to a nearby shop to grab some cat food and returned to tempt the kitten out. But the frightened little tabby stayed tucked away, too scared to trust just yet.

cats under the bus
Credit: Reddit

Mateo left some food near the bus and walked away, hoping that once the noise of the street quieted down, the kitten would feel safe enough to come out.

When he returned later, some of the food was gone. That small sign gave him hope. He slipped on his gloves, sat down nearby, and waited.

After three hours, his patience finally paid off. He finally managed to get the kitten out of the engine and into his arms.

injured kitten found under the bus
Credit: Reddit

Up close, the poor thing’s condition broke his heart. The kitten’s eyes were badly infected, and his tiny body was covered in wounds.

Shivering, he let out terrified cries as Mateo carried him home. He shared on Reddit:

“He was shaking and scare-meowing all the way to my house. When we got home, I put him down in my bathroom with a towel, and gave him food, water, and time to get used to the new environment.”

small injured kitten on a man's leg
Credit: Reddit

At first, the kitten was understandably frightened, but little by little, he realized he was safe.

Vet visit revealed that he had some issues with his eyes and ears, and was struggling with a respiratory virus. But it was nothing too serious or untreatable.

Back at home, Mateo gave the little guy all the space and patience he needed. He sat nearby, letting the kitten decide when it was time to get closer.

little kitten is recovering
Credit: Reddit

One night, the kitten curled up next to him and fell asleep. From that moment on, everything changed.

The kitten, shy at first, soon revealed how much he craved affection, as Mateo shared:

“He was shy at first but craved cuddles and care. I gave him as much attention as I could, and provided him with all that I could think of.”

ginger pretty cat
Credit: Reddit

Slowly but surely, the infections healed, his eyes cleared, and he began to gain weight. And that’s when Mateo truly fell in love with him.

The ginger tabby quickly showed off his curious and playful side. Mateo decided to name him Cal, after a Star Wars character he loved.

Cal became the center of his world, and Mateo couldn’t be happier about it, sharing:

“I installed a little camera in the room to watch him while I’m at work. He sleeps most of the time until I get home. When I open the front door, he starts meowing until I sit down next to him, and he climbs up onto my lap and falls asleep.”

ginger kitten is sitting
Credit: Reddit

Life with Cal became sweeter than Mateo ever imagined. Now, Cal greets him at the door every single day, follows him around the house, and curls up on his lap as if he’s always belonged there. Mateo shared:

“Cal has changed my life. The feeling of hearing his meow the moment I step inside my house fills me with joy that I’ve never experienced before. He’s definitely staying with me forever.”

Mateo often thinks back to that night when he found Cal in a bus engine and smiles, knowing that the scared little meow turned into the best part of his life.

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