Katie Duda was grieving the loss of her cat Lucky when she came across a photo of two kittens at Wrenn Rescues looking for a home. Duda could tell there was something unique about River when she took him and his brother up from their foster family.

“When I picked them up from the foster home, I thought I observed a large heart on his breast, but I wasn’t sure,” Duda told The Dodo. “I didn’t even bother to look at them or play with them.” Wrenn Rescues is a company I trust.”

River was shy and wanted to hide at home, so Duda created a warm place for him with all the space he needed. Duda began to notice more heart-shaped markings on River’s coat as he got more at ease with his new family

“I confirmed [one] on his chest, noted his nose was more heart-shaped than other cats, then under his paws, chin, and other places,” Duda said. “We’ve identified seven entire hearts so far, as well as two areas that appear to be heart-shaped at times.”

Not only is the kitten covered in hearts, but he’s also full of love.

“River is an old soul,” Duda said. “He’s calm, attentive and loving. My children have been able to gently grieve and heal with River and Remi by their side.”

“I expected the kittens to bring us joy, but truly they’ve brought us peace,” she added. “River, covered in hearts, is mending broken hearts.”

River’s fur has always had hearts on it, but Duda sees them as a sign that she made the correct decision.

“My initial reaction was that River’s hearts are Lucky’s way of letting us know how much he loves us,” Duda said. “The love River’s hearts offer to my family may not be a physical message, but the love they convey is extremely genuine.”