“She became his friend,” recounted Asya Cutrino, the owner of Cleo and Groot. “As time passed, they really bonded.” Groot adored playfully pawing at and pouncing on his older canine companion, while Cleo seemed to cherish the affection from her young feline friend.
Despite their differences, Groot also found solace in Cleo’s calm and unhurried demeanor. They often cuddled together, finding harmony in their companionship.
However, their idyllic companionship couldn’t last forever. After 10 months of friendship, Cleo fell ill and passed away a week later.
“Groot would sit by the front door, waiting for her to return,” Cutrino recalled. “He was depressed. It was like losing his other half.”
Cutrino and her family mourned Cleo’s passing deeply. To honor her memory, they commissioned a large portrait of Cleo, displaying her smiling face on their wall. Little did they expect that Groot would also find comfort in this tribute.
After hanging the portrait, Cutrino noticed Groot frequently visiting it, gently touching Cleo’s face with his paw, as if paying homage to his departed friend.
“My family and I cried a lot when he did that,” Cutrino said. With time, the sharp pain of losing Cleo has softened into bittersweet memories.
“Every now and then, he stops by the portrait. I’m sure he remembers her,” Cutrino continued. “When I play old videos of Cleo, and she’s barking, Groot immediately runs to see if she is there.”
Although Cleo could never be replaced in their hearts, Cutrino and her family eventually found room to welcome a new kitten into their lives. This playful addition has brought renewed joy and laughter to their home.
Cutrino’s new kitten never met Cleo, but she has seen her photo. Yet, in a profound way, Cleo’s spirit continues to reside with them.
“She is always here, within us and in Groot,” Cutrino reflected, acknowledging the enduring impact Cleo had on their lives and the everlasting bond between Groot and his beloved friend.