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By Liz O'Connell
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A couple returning home from a honeymoon stopped in their tracks when they discovered the cat distribution system presented them with a wedding present
After a two-and-a-half-week honeymoon, Ashley and Bronwen came back ready to unwind. Ashley went to their home, which is under construction, to check on everything, but panic and confusion rushed through his body as an unexpected guest was keeping an eye on their house. He spotted a black cat sitting in their window.
He told Newsweek that as he stood outside, processing what he saw and snapping a picture for Bronwen, a neighbor came outside and asked if they owned a cat, but it was not theirs. Ashley began wondering where this feline came from. The couple thought perhaps the cat snuck in while they had friends working on renovations, while they were on their honeymoon.
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When Ashley first walked in, he said the cat slunk across the hallway, sneaking from room to room through holes in the wall from the renovation. He finally spotted him hiding behind installation material. The two locked eyes, both bewildered by the other. Ashley thought the cat appeared too scared to move. Not wanting to cause more stress, he decided to leave a bowl of water for the feline.
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The couple explained that no one was working on the house for about a week, which made them believe the cat was stuck inside. He had no food, except the chocolate biscuits he seemed to nibble on. A bucket of water left by the workers provided him with a source of hydration.
Ashley says the cat, which they've since named Phantom, was "very considerate" during his time in their house. He conducted his business in only two areas, although the one spot he used as a bathroom destroyed the doors that the couple was to put in the house.
After discovering Phantom, it became a game of hide and seek. The couple would return to their house to work on renovations. Sometimes they found the cat, or at least heard the bell on his collar. Other times, they thought he had left entirely.
They discovered him hiding under the tub and behind cabinets, unwilling to come out no matter what the couple tried. He never hisses at them, but has remained timid every time they see each other. Eventually, Bronwen managed to pick him up. She placed him outside.
The couple would love to keep him, but given his collar and how well-groomed he looks, they assume he belongs to a neighbor. They are new to the neighborhood and do not want to appear like they've stolen someone's cat.
The plan moving forward is to let Phantom in and out as he pleases. They've seen him a few times since, roaming through their garden. If he chooses to stay, then they'll take him to a vet to find a microchip and hopefully discover who owns him.
Redditors React
Ashley shared the picture of the unexpected guest on a subreddit channel r/CatDistributionSystem, which reached over 20,000 upvotes and 520 comments as of Thursday.
"Love the look on its face. 'Oh you're home are you? Well good luck I changed the locks!'" joked one user.
Another commented: "Black cats bring good luck to marriages."
Someone else said: "Aww the CDS sent a wedding gift!!"
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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