photo #8654644

Man risks it all to sleep with an old friend. The relationship began years ago at a wildlife vet where he was volunteering on a late shift. That night, a mountain lion cub was brought in after losing its mother, restless, crying, and unable to sleep. When the man picked her up, something clicked. She curled onto his chest, and only after he whispered and sang softly did she finally drift off. From then on, she would only fall asleep that way, and soon he was taking her home each night so she could rest by his side. But as she grew stronger, he had no choice but to let her go. Regulations required the young mountain lion to be transferred to a reserve across the border. At first, he visited often, calling her name and laughing as she bounded into his arms like nothing had changed. But over time the visits became harder, and eventually they stopped. He could only wonder if his old friend still remembered him. Years later, the longing was too strong to ignore. He returned to the reserve, searching the hills and canyons for days, but she never appeared. With hope fading, he tried one last thing, pitching a tent with the flap open and setting up a small camera, just in case. That night, under the stars, he lay whispering and singing the same songs he had once sung to her as a cub, hoping she might still remember. Hours passed, until suddenly he felt the weight. A familiar warmth pressed against him, followed by the deep rumble of a purr.