A family from Utah came to Best Friends Animal Society hoping to adopt a newborn kitten, but their hearts were taken by a sweet elderly cat.

Dexter was already 20 years old, and they realized he didn’t have much longer. They took a risk on the toothless old cat and gave him a place to call home for the rest of his life.

Dexter snuggled up to his human, JJ, on the day he moved into his new home, and the two quickly connected. JJ was adamant about feeding and caring for his new best friend. (A cat dad in the making!)

Dexter showed his family how thankful he was to have a home every day by giving them hugs and purrs.

He’d burrow into the crooks of their arms for hours, rubbing his head against them and purring like a cat.