Saint Bernard Makes Soft, Warm Bed for Barn Kittens Like a True Caregiver
My mother has a theory that the bigger the dog is, the gentler they are, and she may be right. After all, a lot of larger dog breeds were bred to be protectors — of livestock or people—and their sheer size means that they have to be trained from a young age to understand the damage they might inadvertently cause, and to be wary of it.
Breeds like Saint Bernards were developed as both working and rescue dogs, and their sweet nature has made them famous the world over. But the one in this video doesn’t need fame—just cuddles from two of the most humble creatures on Earth—a pair of shivering barn cats.
For Enzo the Saint Bernard, life onto farm is a mix of work and play. He loves frolicking in the muddy fields as well as being pampered by his loving family. And her certainly passes that love and gentleness around to all the other animals on the farm.
Related: Gentle Saint Bernard Has No Sense of Personal Space and It's Too Sweet
In this video, the giant Saint Bernard has made his own body a soft, cuddly bed for a pair of semi-feral barn kitties who seem to see him as a fuzzy, warm blanket on a chilly day. The black and tabby kitten can’t snuggle close enough to their giant friend, and the bond is beautiful to see.
“I was so scared for these barn kitties at first,” writes Enzo’s mom in the comments of this video. She thought the cats would be skittish and afraid of her dog. But she needn’t fear—his sweet personality (and fuzzy bulk) won them over.
“They are Best Friends Forever now,” she says.
What is a Barn Cat?
“Barn cats” or “farm cats” are the term used for feral or semi-feral working cats who live a primarily outdoor life on a farm, where they serve as a pest-control service, especially in farm structures like barns. Responsible farmers take care of their barn cats the same way they would care for their other livestock, ensuring that they are healthy, well-fed, and otherwise cared for with things like vet visits, vaccines, and safe, dry, and warm places to sleep.
Because barns are so often filled with grain, hay, and other animal feed, they can be a magnet for unwanted pests like mice and rats, and having some barn cats to prowl the place is a smart choice.
How to Get a Barn Cat
As there is never a shortage of cats looking for homes, it tens to be easy to find a barn cat, but it’s important to realize that a barn cat and a house cat are two very different creatures. The best barn cats were also raised in barns or are feral cats, with high levels of activity and a strong prey drive. Many shelters which bring in feral cats may specify which of their available animals would make good barn cats and which just don’t have it in them to do that kind of work. The life of a barn cat is not as easy as a pampered house kitty, and is not necessarily suited for every cat.
(Just like not every dog with “Shepherd” in their breed name should be sent out to round up the livestock.)
And even barn cats need tender loving care, as these kitties curled up against the household’s Saint Bernard can attest.
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