German Shepherd's 'Emotional Support Kitten' Is The Cutest Thing You'll See This Week
It's not uncommon for a pet parent to adopt a second animal to help keep the first one entertained and engaged. What's far less common, though, is for that second pet to be brought home as an emotional support animal, to help the first through a difficult time.
After a three-year-old German shepherd named Evie was diagnosed with lymphoma and given just a few months to live, the GSD started chemotherapy. Evie seemed so sad and alone during this stressful time that her owner adopted a kitten named Oaky (short for O'Connell) as a companion for the sick dog, and the two animals quickly became besties. Evie finished her chemo treatments in March 2026, and the cancer is now in remission.
@evieandoaky His friends would never believe him #germanshepherd #kittensoftiktok #funnydog #funnycat
In a sweet video captioned "POV: the emotional support kitten ends up just being more emotional whiplash" — which has been viewed more than 177,000 times on TikTok — little Oaky grabs the big dog's face and tries to wrestle, seeming oblivious to their size difference. Viewers fell in love with these two BFFs, calling them cute, adorable, and hilarious. One channeled Oaky's thoughts, writing "I will end you giant fiend!", while another commented, "Evie is just so gentle with him even when she's sick of his crap 😭🥹."
Friendships between dogs and cats
The fighting between canines and felines is such a common cartoon trope that it may cause a pet parent to wonder if a dog and cat can live together peacefully. In reality, cats and dogs living in harmony isn't all that rare. The internet is full of videos showing heartwarming animal friendships, such as this one of an injured senior dog getting massages from his cat brother, and this one of a golden retriever snuggling with a Maine coon kitten.
To encourage a friendship between a dog and a cat to develop, the key is to take it slowly. Allow the pets' bond to grow naturally over weeks or even months. Carefully monitor all initial interactions between the animals, watching for signs of stress, fear, or aggression. Make sure meetings between the pets are positive and followed by treats and praise. With patience, a bit of luck, and the generous use of high-value treats, your doggo and kitty could become best friends, just like Evie and Oaky.