(Picture: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living)

Earlier this month, Lillian celebrated her 103rd birthday with a surprise party thrown for her by her pals at Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living, in Utah.

There was great food, good company and loads of birthday decor.

But the highlight of the day was yet to come.

A few years ago, Lillian’s cat Sammy passed away and since then, she’s wished to have a feline friend again. And across town, a homeless cat has been wishing to find a forever home.


Before Lillian’s big day, staff at the assisted living facility contacted the St George Animal Shelter and found that 9-year-old Marlley needed a home. So they brought Marley over to join in the birthday celebrations.

(Picture: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living)

Lillian didn’t have a clue about Marley before she made her appearance.



‘Lillian was surprised and overjoyed at Marley’s appearance during her birthday lunch,’ animal service officer, Joe Harradine, who brought Marley to the party, tells The Dodo.

‘She instantly took Marley on her lap and they both cuddled each other.’

(Picture: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living)

Lillian just thought that Marley was visiting for her birthday and when she was told that actually, the little cat was coming to live with her, she started crying.

(Picture: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living)

Joe says: ‘When she was told that Marley wasn’t visiting, but was going to be her cat, she gasped and hugged Marley even more. We could tell a connection between Marley and Lillian was instant. Lillian had a big smile and also shed happy tears over Marley.’

Marley’s appearance couldn’t be topped. All Lillian wanted to do was hang with her and the pair are already inseparable.

(Picture: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living)

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