In June 2019, I finally realized my dream of having a pet. Tired of not having the time to walk a dog but yearning for the affectionate company of a furry friend, I set my sights on a Siamese cat. After some searching, I connected with a Siamese cat breeder. That very evening, I waited patiently downstairs until 9 p.m. Finally, I laid my eyes on my little angel, whom I named Caramel.
When Caramel first came home, she was alarmingly thin, a tiny ball of bones. Little did I know that just a week later, she would be struck down by feline calicivirus, commonly known as cat nasal cystitis. The next month was a challenging one. We spent countless hours at the vet’s office, and I carefully administered medications. During this time, Caramel also suffered from malnutrition and anemia. On top of that, she had ear mites when she first arrived. But with regular deworming treatments, the ear mites gradually disappeared, and her appetite began to grow.
Since I hadn’t bought a cat bed yet when she first came home, I got creative. Using cardboard and hot – melt glue, I crafted a makeshift hammock, lining it with old clothes. To my delight, Caramel took to it immediately. She slept soundly in her new bed on that very first night. After her bout with cat nasal cystitis, I covered her with a small quilt as she slept, her little body finally starting to show signs of recovery.
Later, when I bought her a proper cat bed, she adored it. At that time, her fur was still very white, and she was incredibly clingy. Whether my roommates were playing the ukulele or just scrolling through their phones, Caramel would always find her way to their side, curling up contently.
When Caramel reached six months old, it was time for her to be spayed. There was a bit of a surprise though. The breeder who sold her to me had initially told me she was a male. It wasn’t until just before the spaying procedure that we discovered she was actually a female. For several months, we had unknowingly been raising her as a boy! After the spaying, following the vet’s advice, I moved her cat bed, litter box, water bowl, and food bowl into my room to prevent her from doing any strenuous activities like jumping on and off the couch. For a few days, she was the perfect little patient. But as soon as she started to feel better, her mischievous side returned.
After being spayed, Caramel’s weight started to climb rapidly. She seemed to gain about two pounds every month. Her back fur gradually darkened, and her face became rounder. Despite the common belief that female Siamese cats don’t develop prominent cheeks, Caramel’s features only became more charming as she grew.
During the Chinese New Year, I took Caramel home with me. Due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, we ended up staying at my grandmother’s house for a month. Caramel was extremely well – behaved in my grandmother’s arms, a picture of sweetness.
Now, Caramel is an inseparable part of my life. Every time I come home, she immediately runs to me, rubbing against my legs and demanding to be picked up. On some days, she even likes to playfully open the door, adding a touch of fun to our daily routine. She has brought so much joy and love into my life, and I can’t imagine living without her.
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