Life Had Treated This Cat Badly Until He Turned Up Outside My House 4 Years Ago And Now He’s A Sweet And Loving Cat

He was surprisingly docile from the get-go. He was terrified of everything and everyone, so whenever we had to pick him up he'd just go limp. We kept him in a large cage for the first month, and although the door was never shut on it, he spent all of the time huddled into one corner of it. We spent endless hours sitting by the door trying to coax him out with treats and kind words, but it still took over a month. Time wasn't isn't a problem, and money has to be spent on something, so why not a little cat in need? The lucky one in all this is me - I can't tell you how happy he makes me.

It's worked both ways. He's brought a whole new dimension to my life.

Thanks for your kind words. I think what's really awesome is that Chataro genuinely seems to like me. It's hard to explain, but in a room full of people, it's my lap he wants to sit in, and my voice he turns when he hears someone speak. Life doesn't get much better than that.

I didn't know that I NEEDED saving until Chataro turned up, but there hasn't been a day since he arrived that hasn't turned out the better for him being here.

Shout that out to anyone and everyone.

What a lovely message Leo, thank you! In truth, all the strength is in the ones rescued, and all the rewards come to me. Best wishes to you too.

Just doing my best, but I have to agree that I'm happy Chataro chose me!

Forever and a day.

Thanks Lori. I couldn't have put it better myself. All the bad times in my life are waaaaaay behind me, so for the past 20 or so I've been concentrating on making it good for others. People I'm not so good with, but cats I can empathize with and help them along.

Thank you for being kind enough to say so.

Consider Cha-man kissed for you Topiary, and even though it's early in the am where we are, it's sure to shape up into another wonderful day - hope yours is too. From what you write, we're both doing what we can to help as many of these poor little things as we can, so Yaa to us! Thanks for the heads-up on not using "shut-off" type heating pads.

Thanks. It seems like lots of people here agree with you!

I don't know those books, but I take it that it's a good thing, so thanks.

He is beautiful, but thanks for reminding me. Rescuing animals? How could one not?

Declawing makes my soul cringe! You did good for your ginger, now you need to get back on your bike and help another, then another, ad infinitum.

I thought the same thing; he looks like a king. I like his unique markings, too, like watercolors and orange sherbet. Wonderful post:-)

Thanks Whimsy. I agree that he's very beautiful, with the definite look of a lion about him. We've had him now for 4 years, and he was about a year old when he arrived, so the best we can figure is 5+. We're hoping for a very long and happy life for him too. If anyone deserves a good life, it's this little man.

I love all you people who've made comments on Chataro's story. You're all so lovely and kind-hearted!

If any of ours went missing, well . . . it doesn't bear thinking about. I'm sorry you lost your red cat Toni. Do you have another to help?

I assure you, I'm very far from being a saint! Befriending Chataro, and the others, didn't need a second's thought. I know that there are people who turn their backs, but I could never look in a mirror again if I did that. It's like any other job, with its ups and downs, but ultimately it involves turning trash into things of pure beauty, so the rewards far outweigh the work.

No Youtube appearance for Chataro, so it must have been a different cat you saw. That said, there seems to be an endless parade of them going through their own private hells. My thanks to you for taking in your Gina. That's two down and who knows how many more to go?

He does have some problems. The snaggle-tooth is because he had a bad infection in one of his canine teeth, which had to be removed, and some of his other teeth point in the wrong directions. The ear was nicked that way by the vet who neutered Chataro. We had originally thought we'd release him after he recovered his health, so his ear was notched like that so people would know in future that he'd already been neutered and could be left to roam. His biggest problem is that he has Feline Lukemia, so we have to be constantly on guard to make sure that doesn't flare up. He's doing well for now though, so with luck he'll live a very long life.

I guess he did. With Chataro!