Couple realized their ailing cat would not make their wedding — so they did something without telling their family

A couple faced an emotional dilemma when their beloved cat, already battling a serious illness, might not be there for one of the most important days of their lives. They wanted to include their pet in their wedding in a meaningful way and found a unique solution to ensure their fur companion could participate even if the timing didn’t allow it. The story was shared online on November 25, 2025, capturing a tender moment that blended love, loss, and devotion. The couple’s thoughtful gesture highlighted how deeply pets become part of family milestones, even in the smallest yet heartfelt ways.

Cat mom, Bre Lee (@breleee), posted a video on Instagram, showing an intimate moment in their kitchen. Her partner cradled their cat Kabuki like a baby, then set him on the kitchen counter and pressed his paw into the ink. The woman explained through the video’s on-screen text that Kabuki “was diagnosed with lymphoma in October and passed away last night.” She added that they had secured the marriage license in advance and created a copy so they could include Kabuki’s paw print. The couple also shared tender gestures in the clip, with the woman kissing Kabuki gently while the man carefully guided the paw onto the document. Before the imprint, the user held the certificate up to the camera to show the record of the moment. The post was captioned, “May we meet again, sweet boy,” emphasizing the depth of their bond and the meaningful farewell.

Carefully guiding the cat’s paw, the couple ensured that their pet’s presence would forever be part of their union. Many viewers expressed their emotions in the comments, sharing warmth and sympathy for the family and their late cat. @themaneweaver wrote, "I’m so sorry, Bre. But this was such a beautiful idea, and I’m so glad you were able to do it!" @sharon_reads_books_ exclaimed, "So sorry for your loss, but this is an amazing memory to have!" @itsjanessabby penned, "Sending the biggest hugs to you guys."

Many pet owners hope to include their beloved animals in their special moments. In a recent incident, one couple made sure their canine was part of their marriage before his final goodbye. For Randy and Alexandria Eckhart of Brighton, Colorado, everything shifted during what was meant to be a routine vet visit in November 2024. They learned their eight-year-old dog, Bella Rose, had two large tumors, and the idea of holding their planned New Mexico wedding without her no longer felt right. Wanting her close, they used Colorado’s option to marry without an officiant, picked up their license, and held a quiet ceremony inside the emergency veterinary hospital where Bella was being treated.

Randy said they agreed to marry there so they knew “for sure Bella’s here,” and her paw print became the witness mark on their certificate. Her condition declined soon after, but the couple held on to the memory of that moment, with Randy later reflecting that “it is a heartbreaking story, but it is also a feel-good story about an amazing life experience.”

For more endearing cat content, follow @breleee on Instagram.