Monday, January 7, 2013

Loyal Italian Cat Visits Owner's Grave Daily, Brings Small Gifts


Toldo

Iozzelli Renzo died on September 22, 2011 at the age of 71, and his loyal cat, Toldo, has visited his grave every day since.

The 3-year-old cat was rescued by Renzo from a cat colony when he was only 3-months-old, and the two shared a close bond. The gray and white kitty's daily pilgrimage has become infamous throughout the small Italian village of Montagnana, where the feline faithfully leaves sticks and twigs, plastic cups, and paper towels for his master. 

Toldo followed Iozzelli's funeral procession to the cemetery, but it wasn't until the following day that his unusual ritual began.

Renzo's widow, Ada, tells Corriere Fiorentino: "We went to the cemetery with my daughter, and found a sprig of acacia. I immediately thought that it was the cat, but my daughter was convinced it was just the emotional state I was in. "

That evening, her son found Toldo guarding his father's grave. "Since then the story has continued," Ada says. "In the village everyone knows it. So many people have seen it, not just me. Well, I do not know what to say. My husband was very affectionate with him. Renzo loved animals. It's almost as if Toldo would be grateful. It is a special cat, one can not help liking him. "




Via Corriere Fiorentino / Huffington Post


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8 comments:

The Barnes Family said...

That has made me cry with both happiness and sadness. How wonderful our bonds with animals are :-)

Kendy P said...

ohh, how heart warming!

lamina@do a bit said...

My gosh that's so lovely! What a beautiful kitty! :)

Megan Panda said...

This is so amazing! I wonder how he knows that his owner is buried there? Is it because he followed the funeral and somehow understood, or could he somehow smell/sense his owner through 6 feet of dirt? It's really mind boggling, especially since they say most animals don't understand the concept of death. I think cats are way more intelligent than we give them credit for. It also makes me think maybe our bonds with our pets can surpass death.

katsrus said...

I have tears in my eyes. That is so heartwarming.
Sue B

Anonymous said...

Surely Toldo belongs to the finest creatures of the Supreme Being.

Anonymous said...

Omgosh, this made me feel some feels!

-- Megan

Anonymous said...

What a bittersweet story. Beautiful cat.

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