When SaVanna McLaughlin noticed her Labrador, Sandy, persistently digging under the backyard fence, she was less than thrilled. No matter how many times she redirected him, Sandy kept returning to the same spot, scratching and digging as though something very important was on the other side.
For three whole weeks, McLaughlin couldn’t figure out why her well-behaved dog had suddenly developed such determination. Then, one afternoon, she discovered the heart-melting reason — and it changed everything.
When McLaughlin went outside to once again stop Sandy’s digging, she noticed movement by the fence. To her amazement, a tiny white paw poked through the gap, reaching out almost as if it was waving.
“[T]o my surprise, I see the cutest little white paw just waving through my fence,” McLaughlin recalled.
It turned out Sandy hadn’t been misbehaving after all — he was simply trying to connect with his new neighbor: a little cat who lived next door.
A Friendship That Wouldn’t Be Stopped
The paw belonged to a cat named Bitty Kitty, who had been rescued as a kitten by McLaughlin’s neighbor, Marcie Rome. Despite the fence between them, Bitty Kitty and Sandy had found a way to bond, paw-to-paw.
But for Bitty Kitty, the fence wasn’t enough of a barrier to keep her from her new best friend.
One night, McLaughlin was startled awake by a sound at her window. Nervously, she pulled back the curtains — only to see Bitty Kitty, pressing her tiny head against the glass. And right behind her, Sandy was waiting, head against the same window, eager to greet his friend.
The cat returned the next night, and then again the following one. After several visits, McLaughlin realized this friendship was bigger than an occasional fence paw wave. It was time to let them meet properly.
Meeting Face-to-Face
McLaughlin brought Bitty Kitty inside for the first time, unsure how Sandy would react. After all, Sandy had never spent much time with cats before. But what happened next stunned her.
“It was literally like they knew each other from another lifetime,” she said.
The moment they saw each other, Sandy lay down on the floor, calm and welcoming. Bitty Kitty curled up against him without hesitation and even began making biscuits on his stomach, purring happily.
From that day on, it was clear — they were soulmates.
Why Bitty Kitty Felt at Home
It wasn’t just fate that made Bitty Kitty so comfortable with Sandy. Her owner, Rome, also had a Labrador named Daisy, who had been part of Bitty Kitty’s life since she was a kitten. Growing up with Daisy meant Bitty Kitty already had a soft spot for dogs — and perhaps that’s why she recognized something familiar and safe in Sandy.
Meanwhile, for Sandy, this was a brand-new experience. Despite never being around cats, he immediately accepted Bitty Kitty’s affection. The fence taps and late-night window visits had already built a foundation — and once they finally met, their connection deepened instantly.
Best Friends, Forever
Now, Sandy and Bitty Kitty are inseparable. Bitty Kitty visits McLaughlin’s house daily, while Sandy gets invited to Bitty Kitty’s home for playdates. What began as a simple paw through the fence has blossomed into a deep, joyful friendship.
“They went from waving through the fence to tapping on the window to, ‘OK, we’re best friends,’” McLaughlin said with a smile.
These days, it’s not unusual to find Sandy and Bitty Kitty cuddled together, enjoying each other’s company as though the world was always meant to bring them together. A determined little paw, a patient dog, and a willingness to connect despite barriers turned into one of the sweetest friendships imaginable.
