Losing a beloved pet leaves an ache that never fully fades. For Chuck Hawley, saying goodbye to his cherished cat Sticky was one of the hardest moments of his life. Their six years together were filled with adventure, companionship, and unspoken understanding. But even in death, Sticky wasn’t done looking out for his best friend.
What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary—a story of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a man and his cats.
Sticky: A Cat Like No Other
Sticky’s journey with Chuck began in the most unusual way. Found glued to the ground near Salem, Oregon, in 2018, the tiny kitten had no family and nowhere to go. But fate intervened when Chuck rescued him, setting the stage for a friendship that would change both their lives.
Sticky was more than just a pet; he was a source of wisdom and comfort. Whether it was their daily coffee runs or deep conversations (with Sticky listening attentively), Chuck always felt a special connection. Sticky wasn’t a normal cat—he was magic.
Over the years, their bond grew stronger. Sticky even inspired Chuck to write a children’s book, A Sticky Situation, and later a book on grief titled We Don’t Say Goodbye. It was a phrase Chuck never imagined he’d have to tell himself so soon.
Saying Goodbye to a Best Friend

In late 2024, Sticky’s health declined, forcing Chuck to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go. On the day of the appointment, a single, poignant sign awaited him: We Don’t Say Goodbye sat at the top of a pile of books in the room.
“It was like he was telling me he would see me later and not to forget what we had done and to keep going,” Chuck said.
With his book in one hand and Sticky’s paw in the other, he tearfully said goodbye. The loss was overwhelming, leaving a void that felt impossible to fill.
But Sticky had one more message to send.
A Sign from Sticky

A few days later, grief weighed heavy on Chuck’s heart. On impulse, he drove past the Oregon Humane Society and decided to stop in. He wasn’t looking to adopt—just to spend some time with animals and maybe ease the pain.
To his surprise, all the kittens had been adopted earlier that day. A staff member invited him to look at the older cats in the back, but Chuck initially declined. He started to leave… until something made him turn around.
Walking past a row of cages, he felt a gentle tap on his arm.
A Paw That Changed Everything
A cat had reached out through the bars, its paw resting on Chuck’s shoulder. He pulled back the tarp covering the cage and felt his breath catch—on the other side was a vision of Sticky.
The cat, named Allen, had his own unique look, but something about him—the way he moved, the way he tilted his head—felt eerily familiar.
“He just left his paw there. Like he knew what I needed, and his whole mission was to make me feel better,” Chuck recalled.
In that moment, the grief didn’t vanish, but hope returned. He knew he couldn’t walk away.
A New Beginning with Allen

Chuck adopted Allen that same day, carrying him out of the shelter and into his heart. While Sticky could never be replaced, Allen was already helping to heal the impossible wound left behind.
“[He] has been the absolute best medicine I could have ever asked for,” Chuck said. “On the days I just can’t escape that grief, he will just snuggle up next to me and wait for the sad to go away.”
From the very first night, Allen acted as though he’d always belonged. He found Sticky’s favorite spots around the house without hesitation, as if someone had whispered directions in his ear.
Sticky’s Final Gift
It’s impossible to know for certain whether Sticky had a paw in leading Chuck to Allen. But Chuck doesn’t doubt it for a second.
“I can’t imagine where I’d be at this point if Sticky hadn’t sent Allen to find me,” he said.
Sticky’s legacy lives on—not just in Chuck’s heart, but in the unexpected friendship that grew from loss. Even in grief, love finds a way. And sometimes, it reaches out with a paw.
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