Training to be a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for Ahmed Flaty. Not only is the schedule grueling, but the hospital in Egypt where he is currently doing his internship is busier than ever.

When Flaty takes one of his rare breaks, he goes outside to get a little sun and try to relax. Recently, Flaty was sitting near the hospital when a stray cat approached him. It was almost as if she knew he needed some comfort and decided to help.

Flaty told The Dodo, “I was sitting down to talk with a buddy of mine in front of the hospital where we have our internship year and this tiny kitty went up to me as I was conversing with him.” “[She] didn’t meow or anything; she simply looked at me, crawled into my lap, stared at me for a few moments, and then fell asleep.”

Flaty couldn’t believe the brave animal took a chance approaching him. Perhaps she needed a little comfort, too. “Stray animals in Egypt are generally treated very badly,” Flaty said. “So a kitten or a dog coming up to a human this way, especially when there wasn’t any food involved, is very weird.”

For around 15 to 20 minutes, the nurse in training remained still as the cat hugged him and napped on his lap. When the tiny stray had completed her task, she stood up and wandered away.

Flaty felt immediately better and prepared himself to go back inside the hospital to face whatever came next. “I had been on 12-hour shift continuously for like 20 days straight but that cat made all that seem like nothing,” Flaty said.

Flaty would love to adopt a dog or cat, but his busy schedule doesn’t allow him the flexibility to give an animal the attention they deserve. He hasn’t seen the little stray in the days since their snuggle session, but whenever he’s outside on a break, he’s always on the lookout for her.

“Honestly, it really was the best moment of this whole year so far,” Flaty said.