This Adorable Friendship Between A Girl With Autism And Her Cat Will Make Your Heart Melt

Iris Grace is a five-year-old girl with autism who has already made headlines for her incredible talent as a painter. But there’s one part of her story that didn’t get reported: her adorable relationship wiht her pet cat ‘Thula’.

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#1. Introducing Thula, Iris’ 1-year-old, hyper-focused, Maine Coon cat

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#2. No matter what Iris decides to do, Thula is eager to join

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#3. She is the absolute best friend to cuddle during naptime

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#4. Thula keeps Iris’ anxiety at a manageable level so she can interact better in social situations

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#5. Maine Coon cats are known for their intuition and intelligence and immediately sense how and when their owners need them

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#6. But Thula’s favorite activity with Iris is watching her attentively as she paints

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#7. She even waits until the final masterpiece is finished

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#8. Because of Iris’ mental condition, large therapy animals like horses were not a suitable fit

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#9. After Iris wouldn’t connect with a therapy dog because his tail wagged too intensely, the family decided to try a calmer animal: a therapy cat

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#10. Iris immediately fell in love with Thula

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#11. From playtime, paint time, and even in the water during bath time, Thula was always by her side

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#12. She gave Iris a sense of calm that other animals, or people, couldn’t even do

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#13. They started growing up together, all the while experimenting with new and more interesting outlets for creative energy

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#14. But naptime with Thula remained one of Iris’ favorite past times

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#15. Creative projects like beading are fun as well

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#16. And whoever said walking pets was only for dogs?

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#17. Thula always watches over Iris with her bright, golden eyes

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#18. She even keeps one eye half-open sometimes while they nap and rest just to be safe

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#19. But eventually they fall right back to sleep

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#20. Here is Thula as a kitten already interested in Iris’ paintings

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#21. Thula can curl up and keep Iris warm in any place or location

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#22. She sometimes keeps watch just beyond her Iris’ little feet

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#23. If you look closely at the painting, you can see Thula’s eyes staring back at you

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When you find an animal that bonds closely with you, there are few other feelings that can compare. There is no judgment: just love. It’s as if Iris and Thula were destined to be friends forever.