Little Girl Asked Her Cat to Stay With Her Until Graduation

Seventeen years ago, when Tanya Michelle and her family found a tiny, abandoned kitten just three weeks old, they knew he belonged with them.

The little one had been rejected by his mother, but he quickly found love in his new home. Tanya let her youngest daughter — nearly 2 years old at the time — give him a name.

She chose: Meow Meow.

“He also goes by ‘Bubba,’ and to me he’s ‘Mister’ or ‘Sweet Boy,’” Tanya shared on TikTok.

From the start, Meow Meow became part of the family’s fabric — a quiet presence in every chapter of their lives. He grew up alongside his human sisters, always close by, always loved.

But when Tanya’s daughter turned 8, Meow Meow suddenly fell seriously ill. The family feared they were about to lose him.

Her daughter, however, wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

“She made him promise that he wouldn’t cross over the rainbow bridge until she graduated high school,” Tanya said.

@tanya_michelle0
He’s been a sibling to my girls for 17 years. Today, he turns 17. He got really sick when my daughter was about 8 years old. We thought we were going to lose him. My daughter made him promise her that he wouldn’t cross over the rainbow bridge until she graduated High School. She graduates in 12 days. Including him in her cap and gown pictures was a must. He has held on for this moment with his sister. He deserves to graduate too. Our sweet old man.. we are so thankful to have these pictures that will be cherished years after he is gone. #catsoftiktok #graduation #classof2025 #fyp
♬ a thousand years – Christina Perri

Somehow, Meow Meow pulled through.

Years passed. The family shared birthdays, holidays, and quiet everyday moments with their gentle, aging cat.

And now, as Tanya’s daughter prepares to walk the stage for her high school graduation — that long-ago promise is about to be fulfilled.

“She graduates in 12 days,” Tanya wrote. “He’s still here.”

To honor the moment, Tanya’s daughter included Meow Meow in her senior photo shoot. He wore a tiny cap and gown to match hers — a proud graduate right beside his sister.

“He’s held on for this moment,” Tanya said. “He deserves to graduate too.”

@tanya_michelle0
As promised, here is our boys 17th birthday party. Everyone keeps asking his name. Meet Meow Meow. He was named by his sister. We rescued this baby at 3 weeks old when his mom neglected him and shortly after, she was hit by a car and passed. My youngest daughter was almost 2 when she named him. So of course, Meow Meow was what she came up with. He also goes by “Bubba” and to me he is “Mister” or “sweet boy” As you already know, he’s a special boy. He has been with us through some of our hardest days. And also some of our best days. He is most definitley our soul kitty. His little brother Tigger turns 6 in a few days so we celebrated them together. We threw the best party for our sweet boy just in case its his last. He was spoiled to the fullest with treats and snuggles. He is old and tired. Sometimes his eyes look at me and say just how tired he is. But we hope to have more years with him. He has to be around to walk with both of his sisters down the isle when they get married. But if not, he has already fulfilled one promise to his sister. We will soon be making him his own tiktok so that all of you can follow his journey there. Thank you for loving our boy and letting us share him with all of you 🖤 catsoftiktok viraltiktok fyp
♬ original sound – Dd vana💁🏼‍♀️

The photo shoot wasn’t the only celebration. Meow Meow recently turned 17, and the family threw him a birthday party — a tribute to the life he’s lived and the love he’s given.

He’s not just a pet — he’s a childhood companion, a constant, and a keeper of memories.

Through every milestone, Meow Meow has been there.

@tanya_michelle0
Two things this sweet boy can say he did in his 17 years of life is that he kept a promise to his sister and he became famous on tiktok. Thank you is an understatement. What better birthday gift to give him on what could be his last birthday than to make him go viral? We appreciate all of the love on my last post. Thank you for loving my old man as much as we do ❤️ #viraltiktok #catsoftiktok #thankyou #foryoupage
♬ In Case I Ain't Around – Luke Combs