A British Shorthair with a symmetrical inverted ‘V’ marking on the neck and blue – and – white coloring. After watching him for two weeks and seeing that no one had taken him home, I decided he was meant to be mine. Thinking he would grow into a chubby-cheeked cat, I named him Bao Bao (which means “bun” or “dumpling”). Every time I watch Ode to Joy and hear Andy call out “Bao Bao,” I can’t help but laugh.
From a tiny kitten to a mischievous adolescent, Bao Bao has been a constant source of joy. Here are some photos of his early days:
On his first day home, he was so timid and small. As a two-month-old baby, his main task was to sleep endlessly. His soft sleeping face, pink mouth, nose, and paws melted my heart, and I couldn’t resist gently touching him. His paws were a bit dirty, but I didn’t dare bathe him at such a young age.
Despite his adorable sleeping appearance, Bao Bao has a lot of inner drama, which inspired me to create a series of meme-worthy cat expressions. The photos might not be the best quality, but feel free to use them if you like.
Occasionally, he can be a quiet and handsome young cat for a whole minute, though these moments are usually the result of me holding him down for a photo. He’s quite the chatterbox—whether he sees you eating, wants someone to play with him, or his food bowl is empty, he’ll let you know. His meow is a bit hoarse, which doesn’t match his cute appearance at all.
Bao Bao adapted quickly to his new home, becoming completely comfortable within a day or two, which set the foundation for his carefree personality. He’s always bouncing around, exploring, and being a little mischievous, but thankfully, he’s more curious than destructive.
Last month, my dad suddenly invited me to go hiking with him and his dog. Not wanting to be left out, I brought Bao Bao along. It was drizzling that day, but the furry kids had a blast. I let Bao Bao off the leash, and he ran straight into the grass, curious about everything. His round head also made him a popular subject for photos. By the time we headed back, he was walking off-leash, following us calmly. It was clear that curiosity outweighed fear for him, and he was excited and happy throughout the adventure.
If you zoom in on the photos, you can see his calm little eyes. Later, we went out to eat, and Bao Bao got along harmoniously with a little Snow (a dog), becoming instant buddies. At someone else’s house, he played wildly, getting so hot that he stuck out his tiny tongue, looking unbearably cute.
Now, at five months old, Bao Bao is showing signs of becoming a full-blown “couch potato.” His awkward phase isn’t awkward at all—he’s as carefree as ever, especially when it comes to biting hands. After being scolded, he forgets all about it within 10 seconds.
He used to eat Meows kitten food and nutritional paste, but recently I switched him to Orijen Red Meat and Purina Pro Plan mix. He’s ballooned in size, becoming all soft and chubby, with a belly that’s irresistible to snuggle. Here’s a before-and-after comparison—he’s gained quite a bit of weight, and the folds of fat around his neck are now visible.
Here are a few more photos to document his handsome moments. I especially love the sparkle in his eyes.
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