A stray cat who wandered into a Texas home found a loving family—but his story, which began with joy, ended in heartbreaking loss that has moved thousands online.
The emotional journey of the cat, named Prince Jack, was shared in a viral TikTok post by user @wedonotownacat in January. Donna Munoz, the woman behind the account, recounted how she returned to her El Paso home one day to find a gray cat napping on her couch.
“We figured he came in through our doggie door. We have three dogs, mind you!” Munoz said in the video. “We let him come and go. He probably belonged to someone, but he kept coming back.”
As time passed, the cat stayed longer, eventually becoming a permanent fixture in their home. A check for a microchip turned up nothing, and no owner could be found. Munoz and her family embraced him as one of their own.
“Pretty soon, he started doing cat things,” she said. “And yes… I fell in love.”
But in October 2024, Prince Jack suddenly stopped eating. After visiting the vet, he was diagnosed with stomatitis—a painful and chronic inflammation of the mouth that affects about 10% of cats. The condition, according to Catster, can cause severe discomfort and make eating nearly impossible. Though not always fatal, untreated or severe cases can lead to serious health issues.
Despite initial treatment, Prince Jack’s condition worsened. “He still refused to eat,” Munoz told Newsweek. “The vet said he needed to be hospitalized again. But I had a feeling I wouldn’t have him much longer.”
She brought him home instead, hoping he would feel more comfortable surrounded by those who loved him. “We tried syringe feeding him kitten formula, giving him his favorite treats,” she said. “I cried, I begged. He didn’t want to move or groom himself.”
Desperate for answers, Munoz sought a second opinion. The new veterinarian confirmed her fears—Prince Jack was gravely ill and unlikely to recover.
“He was just so sick and suffering so much. We decided it was most humane to put him to rest,” Munoz said. “He passed in my arms as me and my twins held him close, telling him how much we loved him.”
Prince Jack’s ashes now rest in a sunny plant pot outside the home he chose as his own.
“Four months later, I still cry for him,” Munoz shared. “I watch his videos and ask myself—what did I miss? Why wouldn’t he eat? Why did he give up? I don’t know if this ache will ever leave.”
The video tribute to Prince Jack has reached over 398,000 views and 81,500 likes on TikTok. Many commenters offered condolences and shared their own stories of pet loss.
“This made me cry. This is the happiest and saddest story,” one user wrote.
Another added: “The rest of his life was spent with a loving family.”
“You gave him the love all animals deserve,” said a third. “Thank you for loving that boy.”
Prince Jack’s story, though filled with sorrow, has touched hearts around the world and reminded many of the deep bonds we form with the animals who choose us.
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