And ultimately, his life was saved because of the cat.

While undertaking the mountain crossing over the Romanian border, Duda and two others he was traveling with encountered a powerful snowstorm. Duda, who was carrying Peach, ended up slipping down a ravine, becoming trapped.

Temperatures dipped well below freezing that evening, and Duda was left behind.

But he wasn’t entirely alone.

For nearly 24 hours in the ravine, Duda clung onto hope that someone would come to save him. And he also clung onto his kitten.

That’s how long it took a search and rescue crew from Romania’s Salvamont Maramures to find them.

In light of the harsh conditions Duda been left in, Dan Benga, director of the rescue crew, believes one factor in particular played a role in his survival.

Peaches.

“The cat was warm and was warming him … so he saved his life,” Benga told The Associated Press. “The only thing we saw [him] caring about is the cat. He doesn’t care about himself.”

Peaches stayed by Duda’s side as rescuers carried him down the mountain to safety.

From there, Duda was sent to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia.

Peaches, of course, remained by his side then, too.

Peaches’ intervention in saving Duda’s life has been hailed as a miracle — one brought about thanks to their commitment to one another.

Duda wasn’t immediately available for comment, but a spokesperson told The Dodo:

“They are both in recovery, getting well.”