Some people say that raising cats is a wonderful fate. What kind of person will meet what kind of cat, and every encounter is like a story carefully arranged by fate. Looking back on my cat – raising journey, from 2010 to now, the encounters and companionships with three cats have profoundly confirmed this.
In 2010, after graduating from university, I came to Beijing alone and started a solitary life. At that time, I never imagined that I would form an indissoluble bond with cats. By chance, I got my first cat. I was so sad and frustrated that I picked up two cats in the community – Laobai, a Shandong Linqing Lion Cat, and a tortoiseshell – colored mixed – breed cat. I thought at that time, “Dogs may run away, but cats don’t need to be walked, so they won’t run away, right?” Just like that, they became my “son” and “daughter” in life. During those days of living alone, their company made me no longer feel lonely. Laobai was elegant and gentle, always lying quietly aside, watching me busy; the little mixed – breed cat was lively and active, occasionally patting my hand with its small paws, acting coquettishly for attention. Their arrival added countless warmth and joy to my ordinary life. Now, they are still living leisurely with my parents, enjoying their retirement life.
In July 2014, another special fate came. My best friend told me that her friend had found a Siamese cat in the community and couldn’t keep it, asking if I would like to adopt it. To be honest, at first, I was a bit resistant to the “black – faced” appearance of the Siamese cat and even thought it was inauspicious. But when I saw the photo of the Siamese cat and learned that it was locked in the corridor of an old and shabby building and squeezed in a rabbit cage, my heart was filled with pity. So, I resolutely decided to adopt it. I drove more than 20 kilometers from the North Central Ring Road to the Southwest Central Ring Road in Shanghai to pick up this little cat. The mother of the person giving it away said to me, “Once you take it, don’t send it back!” This sentence made me feel a heavy sense of responsibility and made me more determined to take good care of it. Just like that, JOJO became the opportunity for me to get in touch with pedigreed cats and opened a new chapter in my cat – raising life.
JOJO has the unique intelligence and liveliness of Siamese cats. It seems to be able to understand my emotions. When I’m happy, it runs around me cheerfully; when I’m tired, it lies quietly on my lap, giving me comfort with its warm body. During the days of getting along with JOJO, I gradually changed my view of Siamese cats and fell in love with this unique breed. It not only gave me a deeper understanding of cats but also made me realize that every cat has its own unique charm and should not be judged by its appearance.
Looking back on these three cat – raising experiences, I increasingly feel that raising cats is not just a form of companionship but also a continuation of fate. Whether it’s the cats I picked up by chance or the Siamese cat I adopted out of pity, they have all left a deep mark on my life. Different cats have different personalities and characteristics, and their encounters with me seem to be arranged by fate. In the days to come, I look forward to meeting more cats, continuing to write our warm stories. I also hope that every cat lover can meet the cat that is most destined for them in the vast “sea of cats” and harvest full happiness and joy.
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