A woman has taken to Reddit’s “Am I the A—–?” forum to share her distress after her parents gifted her and her girlfriend a kitten just 26 hours after their 20-year-old cat passed away—leaving the couple questioning whether their emotional reaction was justified.
The original poster (OP), a 30-year-old woman, explained that she had owned the deceased cat since childhood and had been its sole caregiver since she was 21. After the pet’s death, her parents visited under the guise of offering comfort—only for her mother to walk in “smiling and holding a cat carrier.”
“My gf immediately looked concerned and asked, ‘You haven’t?'” the woman wrote, realizing her parents had brought them a kitten of the same breed as their late cat. Though the couple was “shocked and upset,” they politely declined, explaining that they needed time to grieve.
Parents Dismiss Grief, Push Kitten on Couple
Despite the couple’s protests, the parents allegedly laughed off their distress. The OP began crying, retreating to the kitchen, while her girlfriend repeatedly asked them to take the kitten and leave.
Instead, the parents ignored the request, cooing over the kitten’s cuteness and urging the grieving couple to hold it. The situation escalated until the girlfriend “raised her voice,” demanding they leave. The mother went to the car, while the father asked if they would ever get another cat.
“I’m not sure, but if we do, it won’t be that kitten,” the OP responded.
Aftermath: Parents Act as If Nothing Happened
A week later, the parents are reportedly pretending the incident never occurred and ignoring requests for space. Meanwhile, the OP’s girlfriend worries she overreacted, and the OP herself questions whether she mishandled the situation.
Reddit Users Overwhelmingly Side with the Couple
Nearly 100 commenters agreed the parents were in the wrong, emphasizing that grieving takes time and a pet should never be an unsolicited gift.
“Totally NTA… Your parents meant well, but it’s way too early to think about another pet.”
“You don’t gift a responsibility.”
“It’s one thing if you asked for a new pet—but to do this without consulting your partner?”
The post has sparked broader discussions about boundaries, grief, and the emotional weight of pet ownership, with many urging the couple to stand firm in their need for space.
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