We have heard many times people talking about how saving a stray animal changed their lives, and even referring to it as a “mutual rescue”. Well, in this story, a stray cat definitely saved his rescuer, while he was also spared the street life.

James Bowen used to be a homeless heroin addict a few years ago. In fact, he became homeless before he started using drugs; the latter just worsened his situation as time went by.

“I was on a downward spiral,” Bowen explained in an interview a few years ago, “and because I had nowhere to stay when I got kicked out of the place I was living in, and I started becoming quite hopelessly depressed and that’s where the drugs come in.”

So, James became a busker and lived in the streets, while he was trying to take his life back.

At the time, he was on a substitute program, which later on helped him to reduce the amount of heroin he needed to be functional, and then from there, he managed to get clean, which is something the young man is really proud of.

And that’s when Bob comes into play! While James was on the street, trying to make a living and reclaim his life, he found a little cat on the subway. The feline was injured and the man assumed that it had gotten into a fight with another cat. While he could have easily ignored the cat, James didn’t feel like it.

The cat kept following him, so Bowen decided to help him.

So, he took him to the vet to have his wounded leg treated and in the meantime, he looked for his owner. The cat didn’t have a microchip or a collar, and nobody seemed to be looking for him, so James decided that they were just meant to be together!

This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship and a mutual rescue, as not only did James save the stray cat, but the cat too, now named Bob, saved his new dad from the dead-end he had found himself at.

Ever since the two mates started hanging out together, James’ life assumed new meaning.

“[He] turned my life around. He’s the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in a very long time. Every morning I wake up so grateful that I met this wonderful little man,” he admitted.

And, of course, Bob’s presence at James’ performances made them more profitable! People love animals- especially cute cats like Bob- and him being next to James while he plays his guitar and sings attracted all the attention he needed, as well as the extra money!

People even knit fancy scarves for the little feline, which he rocks!

Today, the two best friends are still together, while James has also written a book about the two of them, which was published under the title: “A streetcat named Bob”.

The two best buddies prove that a little love can go a long way whether it translates to a human rescuing a stray animal or an animal offering their love to a human who is facing a difficult situation. What a heartwarming story!

You can watch James’ interview below.

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Source: iheartcats, mjp221972, Facebook