Cat lovers know that having them as pets is a lively experience. They are cuddly companions who like giving and receiving affection. Though they sometimes keep to themselves, their sweet ways always bring happiness.

Felines are innately loyal. So, it is no surprise that we hear of many stories where the owner and the cat go through life’s many phases together. One example is Erin Merryn’s relationship with her orange tabby cat called Bailey.

Their story began when she was in college

Erin bought Bailey when she was in college. She was not allowed to have him in her dorm room but she found ways to sneak him in. She was so enamored with Bailey that she told People in an interview that she believes that it was like there was a little human inside her pet.

Their bond continued onto adult life

Erin and Bailey shared many moments together but one of the biggest highlights was when Erin gave birth to her first daughter, Abby. At first, Erin was not sure how Bailey would react to having a baby in the house. It turns out, however, that she had nothing to worry about. Abby and Bailey instantly bonded.

As the family grew, so did their bond

When Erin gave birth to her second daughter, Hannah, Bailey had no problems adjusting to having two sisters around. He was so in love with them that he allowed their many antics, which included dressing him up as a princess or putting ribbons on his fur.

Four is not a crowd

When the girls welcomed their baby sister, their loyal cat was there to celebrate with them. Together, they became a loving family . They celebrated many milestones together.

The love between Bailey and the girls became viral

Abby, Hannah and Bailey’s connection was so cute that they started getting attention on social media. However, when Erin uploaded one of the girls singing “You are My Sunshine” to Bailey in 2018, his fame exploded. He caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres and began to be featured in many TV shows worldwide.

Unfortunately, the Internet could only enjoy his presence for a short time

The public would only get to experience his cuteness for a while. At 14 years old, he started becoming frail. He had kidney problems. Ultimately, it caused his death.

Before he died, 4-year-old Abby gave him a touching tribute. She sang “You are My Sunshine” one last time to Barry and ended the video by kissing him and telling him how much she loved him.

The world grieved with them

The family was very broken by the death of their loyal kitty. As they cried, the entire world joined them. After news broke out that Barry passed on, many people reached out to them via social media. Some even extended gifts to the girls to cheer them up.

His legacy continues

Though Bailey only saw a fraction of how famous he has become, he continues to be a sensation among cat lovers. Since his death, Erin has published a book called Bailey: No Ordinary Cat. The family still actively keeps social media pages dedicated to Bailey.

Even in death, Bailey continues to show the world that there is no such thing as an ordinary cat.

Watch the tear-jerking video below and hear Abby sing “You Are My Sunshine” to Bailey before he went to cat heaven.

Source: They Are My Sunshine, PEOPLE, Instagram, Amazon, Facebook, The Dodo