When Jessica Leatherman was shopping for dog food and saw a sad adult male cat sitting in a pet shop cage, she couldn’t help but inquire about him.
“He just was not moving. He was very depressed,” Leatherman shared in a TikTok about the cat’s adoption, according to Yahoo. She discovered that the cat had been sitting there for over eight months and decided to adopt him.
She named him Craig, and Craig quickly became a beloved member of the family. He’s so dedicated that he has taken on the role of the family’s official bus stop bodyguard. Every day, Craig ensures that Leatherman’s 7-year-old daughter gets on the bus safely.
Craig adores the little girl, and he started observing her morning routine, deciding he wanted to be a part of it. He began waiting by the door when she left for the school bus.
Leatherman eventually let Craig accompany her daughter outside one morning. “The bus stops right in front of our house, and I figured I’d let him come outside [so he could] hang out with me,” Leatherman said. “But instead of me, he chose to hang out with her, and he followed her down the sidewalk and down the driveway and just sat there the entire time she was waiting for the bus.” Craig didn’t just wait until she got on the bus; he stayed until the bus pulled away, ensuring she boarded safely.
“When it happened, I was like, ‘Is he really doing this?’ And as soon as she got on, I expected him to wander back to me, but he sat there and made sure she got on the bus and then watched it drive away,” Leatherman said. “He will not leave the corner of the bus stop until it is out of sight.”
Initially, Leatherman thought this behavior would be a one-time event, but Craig now does it every day, taking his job very seriously. “He’s been doing it every day,” Leatherman said. “He’s given himself the job. I don’t know why but it’s super sweet. Now all the neighborhood kids know him, and the whole bus is like, ‘Craig!’ whenever they pull up,” Leatherman said. “So he’s just kind of become this sweet little neighborhood mascot in a way.” Craig also makes sure to be there when the little girl gets off the bus. “They are two peas in a pod,” Leatherman said. “She’ll be sitting next to him, and he’ll just rub all over her and purr. It’s the cutest thing.”
A horrific case of animal cruelty and domestic violence unfolded last year in Fargo, North Dakota. The details are disturbing and tragic. The abuser was sentenced to prison, but we must ensure he never terrorizes another person or animal again.
Leatherman believes Craig has a very specific motive. “He’ll follow her around the house if he’s awake and just lie down near her, almost as if he’s protecting her,” she said.
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@craig_the_cat Besties for life! I noticed today that Craig sits when he sees the bus. Also, look at his tail wag! #craigthecat #busduty #ThatCloseMessenger ♬ Manke, honobo, everyday, funny, loop – arachang