A young boy broke down after Santa presented him with a new furry best friend as a Christmas present.
12-year-old Austin Brooks often joins his mum at the Humane Society of Genesee County where she works. For the past couple of years, Austin has given up his free time to care for the animals in the shelter, volunteering to take the dogs on walks and socialise with the kittens.
Recently the shelter held a holiday event with Santa as a special guest, and the bearded man gave the 12-year-old the best gift ever.
Check out Austin’s heartwarming reaction here:
Posted by Mari Brooks on Saturday, 1 December 2018
Austin’s mum Mari explained to The Dodo how the family had their own cat, but it sadly died about a month ago. The young boy was heartbroken by the loss, so it was great he could still surround himself with furry friends at the Humane Society.
Not long after the family cat passed away, Austin helped host a yoga session featuring adoptable felines from the shelter – which, I have to add, sounds like an incredible event and something I’d definitely love to attend.
While partaking in the cat yoga event Austin met Gizzard, a lovely black cat who the animal-lover had an immediate connection with.
Mum Mari noticed how her son had taken a shine to the animal, and having lost their pet back home, Mari secretly made arrangements to adopt Gizzard.
She was trying to come up with the perfect way to reveal the exciting news to her son when the opportunity presented itself in the form of a big jolly red-suited man.
The video of Austin’s surprise was taken at the holiday event, where the youngster believed he was simply taking part in a photoshoot with Santa and Gizzard.
Of course, we know by now it was actually a much bigger occasion than that.
Santa handed Gizzard over to his new owner, and as you can see Austin could barely believe his eyes. I should probably also point out that the noise you can hear when Austin buries his face in the cat’s fur isn’t a wail from him, but a dog barking in the background – although the timing is quite amusing.
I think Austin might have frightened Gizzard off if he’d made that noise!
The cat seemed more than happy to be cuddled by his new best friend, and the 12-year-old’s overwhelmed reaction made everyone watching tear up.
So today we brought home a new friend! Austin fell in love with him and I put him on hold and Austin didn’t know….
Posted by Mari Brooks on Saturday, 1 December 2018
Mari continued:
His reaction was the best thing I have ever seen. Everyone was crying watching this all happen.
With over 48,000 views, I’m sure the video has made a few people at home wipe their eyes too.
Since Gizzard went to his new home, he and Austin have become inseparable.
The mother explained:
Gizzard sleeps with him every night. He comes running when Austin calls him…They really are best friends!
Christmas definitely came early for Austin, I’m not sure his parents will be able to top that surprise on Christmas Day!
Adorable.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.