A lactating cat was spotted nursing a puppy like its own offspring in southern India’s Karnataka on December 6. The incident took place in the coastal city of Mangalore.

A video showcasing the unusual bond between the two species shows the cat lying on a bed while the tiny dog continues to suckle. Even when the feline gets up to leave the spot, the puppy refuses to leave the supposed mother and is dragged along.

Before the puppy falls off the bed, it is caught by people witnessing the exquisite moment, who once again place the canine and the feline next to each other. The puppy, oblivious of its surroundings, resumes suckling while the cat tries to comprehend the situation.

Puppies, if orphaned, miss their mothers and suckling makes them feel secure and loved. They can continue to nurse on other animals and inanimate objects through adulthood, especially when stressed.

On the other hand, the dog might be fulfilling the cat’s maternal instincts to nurse babies in the absence of her own.