Katie Duda was grieving the loss of her cat Lucky when she came across a photo of two kittens at Wrenn Rescues looking for a home. Duda could tell there was something unique about River when she took him and his brother up from their foster family.

“When I picked them up from the foster home, I thought I observed a large heart on his breast, but I wasn’t sure,” Duda told The Dodo. “I didn’t even bother to look at them or play with them.” Wrenn Rescues is a company I trust.”

River was bashful and wanted to hide at home, so Duda created a warm place for him with all the space he needed. Duda began to notice more heart-shaped markings on River’s coat as he got more at ease with his new family.

“I confirmed [one] on his chest, noted his nose was more heart-shaped than other cats, then under his paws, chin, and other places,” Duda said. “We’ve identified seven entire hearts so far, as well as two areas that appear to be heart-shaped at times.”

River was bashful and wanted to hide at home, so Duda created a warm place for him with all the space he needed. Duda began to notice more heart-shaped markings on River’s coat as he got more at ease with his new family.

“I confirmed [one] on his chest, noted his nose was more heart-shaped than other cats, then under his paws, chin, and other places,” Duda said. “We’ve identified seven entire hearts so far, as well as two areas that appear to be heart-shaped at times.”

The kitty isn’t only covered in hearts; he’s also full of love.

“River has an old spirit,” stated Duda. “He’s composed, attentive, and kind.” With River and Remi by their sides, my children have been able to grieve and recover in a gentle manner.”

“I thought the kittens to bring us joy, but they’ve really provided us serenity,” she continued. “The heart-covered River is repairing damagеd souls.”

While River loves spending time with his human siblings, he still watches out for his little kitten brother.

“River is almost twice the size of Remi and acts as his guardian,” Duda said. “Yesterday, Remi wanted to sit in a large potted plant in our dining room. I had put foil in the pot to discourage the kittens from playing with the dirt and Remi was displeased. I watched River kindly remove the foil for Remi so he could lay in the dirt.”

River’s fur has always had hearts on it, but Duda sees them as a sign that she made the correct decision.

“My initial reaction was that River’s hearts are Lucky’s way of letting us know how much he loves us,” Duda said. “The love River’s hearts offer to my family may not be a physical message, but the love they convey is extremely genuine.”