Previously Stray Cat Is Delighted By His New Life With His Retired Photographer Human
Four years ago, a retired photographer in Japan opened his door to a stray cat that looked like he had already been through too much. The kitten was covered in fleas and ticks, badly infected, and so weak that even standing was a struggle.
James R. Jones and his wife named him Chataro, then got to work on the long road to recovery. Between vet visits, surgery, and daily care, they slowly turned a frightened stray into a cat who now follows his human everywhere.
Chataro’s transformation is the kind that makes every small step feel worth it.
Chataro the cat, when he arrived unexpectedly four years ago
The poor cat was so weak he couldn’t even stand
James says that Chataro is his best buddy now. “I work from home, so we’re always together in the same room, where he sits on the desk staring at me, and from time to time climbs into my lap when he thinks I need a break or there might be a chance of a treat for him.”
And now this kitty is truly James’s best buddy.
Snaggle-tooth kitty
Like a good kitty, he is keeping the chair warm for his human
Chataro is a snuggle monster now, but it wasn’t easy to socialize this kitty.
“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, he spent all of his time huddled in 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 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.”
Chataro, near his favorite window
Chataro’s bond with James feels like the same kind of healing as a first-time cat dad’s adoption that lifted a rescuer’s broken spirit.
Chataro likes to sleep on his human’s hat, on his desk
What a lovely cat he's become.
Chataro is having a bad tooth day
Just pondering, cat style.
All wrapped up
Enjoying the morning sunshine like a proper cat.
Chataro with his hot-water bottle
Just soaking up the warmth: the nature of the cat
Just before taking a nap
Showing his snaggle-tooth
Black & White Kitty
The world needs more success stories of cats like Chataro!
If you want the grim opposite of Chataro’s happy ending, read how Florida rescuers saved a kitten abandoned without food, water, or AC at all. Rescuers Swing Into Action to Save Kitty Abandoned in a Florida Home Without Food, Water, and Air Conditioning
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