If you’re a big cat lover, it’s almost guaranteed that your friends and family members have made fun of you once or twice, referencing how you’ll become (or have become) an old crazy cat lady (or man).

Yet, really, the joke’s on them because to know the love of a companion animal is something remarkable as they are there for you at both your lowest and highest points, and may even save your life.

Fifteen years ago, Miyoko Ihara began taking photos of her grandmother, Misao, who lives in rural Japan, to “leave … living proof of her.”

During this time, Misao found a kitten in her shed one day with mismatched eyes. She immediately took the feline under her wing and named the cat “Fukumaru,” hoping that the “God of fuku (good fortune) comes and everything will be smoothed over like maru (circle).”

Since that faithful day, Misao and Fukumaru have stayed by each other’s sides, going into the fields together every day.

Nowadays, the pair is becoming weaker and both have hearing problems, yet it’s been 13 years and their friendship is stronger than ever with Misao now at 90 years of age and Fukumaru getting into the elder years as well.

Ihara has put together a beautiful photo book of Misao and Fukumaru’s friendship entitled, “Misao the Big Mama and Fukumaru the Cat,” which can be found for purchase online.

Check out just some of the photos of Misao and Fukumaru’s heartwarming friendship below taken by Ihara!

Lead image source: Miyoko Ihara via Little Aesthete