Tennessee — When Tristan, a golden retriever with a knack for finding animals in need, spotted a tiny black kitten stranded in his owner’s backyard, he sprang into action—whining, barking, and refusing to leave the helpless feline’s side.
His owner, Aly Conyers, knew this behavior well. Just weeks earlier, the compassionate canine had discovered an orphaned fawn on their Tennessee property.
“I don’t know how he does it; he has a radar for it,” Conyers told PEOPLE. “He was going wild, staring at this little bundle stuck in the grass.”
After waiting in vain for the kitten’s mother to return, Conyers took the tiny feline under her care. Since their first encounter in July, Tristan and the kitten have become inseparable.
An Unlikely Best Friendship
The pair now spend their days cuddling on sunlit blankets, with the kitten showing a clear preference for Tristan over Conyers’ other dogs.
“Even when he was tiny and just waddling around, this kitten always moved toward Tristan,” Conyers said. “I have other dogs here, but that cat couldn’t care less about them—he loves Tristan.”
Conyers, who runs Conyers Canines, a puppy training program, has worked with countless dogs but calls Tristan “the most unique, loving dog on the planet.”
“His heart is made of gold,” she said, referencing his namesake—Brad Pitt’s character in Legends of the Fall.
More Kittens—and a Viral Sensation
Tristan’s heroics didn’t end with one rescue. Soon after, he and his fellow golden retrievers discovered two more kittens in the yard.
Conyers has since shared their story on TikTok, where fans eagerly follow updates on the golden retriever and his tiny companion.
“People are just in love with both of them,” she said. “Tristan steals anybody’s heart. Taking him out in public is like walking around with a celebrity.”
For now, the bonded duo continues to enjoy their days together—proving that friendship can come in the most unexpected forms.
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