Owner Nearly Abandons Vacation After Seeing Heartbreaking Footage On His Pet Cam

A cat owner recently shared a story that tugged at the heartstrings of many.

They revealed how their cat's heartbreaking meows nearly convinced them to cancel their holiday plans.

While cats are generally more independent than dogs, it's clear they still form deep bonds with their owners and can feel their absence deeply when they go away.

One particular cat owner found this to be painfully true. 

The sight of their beloved cat looking sad during their holiday left a significant impact on them.

Let's talk about Pawl the Cat, a feline who has become quite the sensation on TikTok under the username @acatnamedpawl.

Pawl tugged at the heartstrings of viewers. TikTok / @catnamedpawl

Pawl's adventures are a hit among his followers.

When Pawl's owners went on a trip, they left him mostly alone at home, but ensured that someone would visit daily to check on him.

They also set up cameras throughout their home to monitor Pawl and make sure he was alright during their absence.

One video clip captured Pawl clutching a fish toy and meowing sorrowfully, which quickly went viral, amassing over 12.1 million views.

Pawl's owner, Jonah, shared with Newsweek: "I found Pawl about four years ago. I had been living in an apartment on the ground floor for about a week and then a kitten showed up and started scratching at my window.

"We've been best friends ever since. When we go on vacation we have babysitters to watch Pawl, but also always set up cameras to make sure he's doing okay. 

"Typically it's a lot of him just laying around, or looking out the window looking at birds.

"This time when we checked the cameras it was Pawl roaming around the apartment with his fish making the saddest meows we've ever heard."

Jonah also mentioned: "We're going to start practicing going in the car with Pawl to see how he handles road trips.

"He does already go for stroller rides and walks. Most mornings I actually wake up the fish in front of my bedroom door because Pawls brings it to me every night.

"I like to think it's his way of showing he's thinking about me."

Pawl carried a fish toy in his mouth while meowing. TikTok / @catnamedpawl

The footage of Pawl not only went viral but also sparked a wave of comments from viewers who were moved by how adorable and relatable Pawl was.

One viewer commented: "My cat does the same thing carrying out his stuffed fish! We call it his emotional support fish."

Another viewer suggested Pawl might enjoy some company, saying: "See this is why I got my cat a friend and she had the nerve to hate him."

Another empathetically commented: "I literally would've turned around."

And yet another shared their own feelings of missing their pet: "I'd be crying. Legit. I miss my kitty cat so much while I’m away at college."