I don’t know how long I was living in the wild, but it felt like a long time. My fur was a thicket of matted tangles, I was covered with fleas, and one paw was wounded. I had parasites and was thin and always hungry.
One day, two girls saw me near the Presa Los Santos in Marfil. They knew exactly what to do and took me to their cat-loving grandmother, Cristina Rangel de Alba Brunel. Cristina made sure that I had the best veterinary care to bring me back to health. She became a wonderful friend during the several weeks that I lived in her house. Honestly, it was paradise after living so long in the wild.
Cristina couldn’t give me a permanent home, though, because she travels too much. So, with help from her friend Ana Cervantes, she began to look for another home for me. Constance La Lena saw the adoption notice and immediately arranged to visit me. At first sight, we both knew this was a match! I settled in her lap, enjoyed all the petting, and purred loudly, hoping she would take me. But I couldn’t go home with Constance that day because the following day I was scheduled for sterilization at the veterinary clinic. I wasn’t sure what that was, but I was told it was a good thing.
The day after my surgery, Cristina took me to Constance’s house, accompanied by all the many things she had bought for my care: medications, a litter box and litter, a carrier, grooming tools, toys, kibbles, and hamburger balls. The veterinarian had recommended the hamburger to build up my health. Constance named me Leo because she thought my face looked just like a little lion.
Constance’s house is very tall, having three stories plus a roof terrace, all connected by an open spiral stairway and an elevator. During the first two months I lived with her, I did not try the stairway but loved to ride in the elevator. I hoped that Constance would install elevator buttons that I could reach myself, but that never happened. So, one night I decided, “What the heck!” and cautiously went down the stairs to her bedroom.
Now I run up and down the stairs whenever I feel like it. My favorite game is to ride down in the elevator with Constance and then run back up the stairs when she goes up in the elevator. I always win!
Constance tells me that it is too dangerous for me to go out into the neighborhood, and after my experience living in the wild I agree. I’ve already mentioned the roof terrace where I can enjoy being outside with her many potted plants. On the second floor, glass doors from the kitchen lead to a balcony with more potted plants and a small fountain. I spend hours there on the parapet, looking at the expansive view and enjoying the sunset each evening. Inside the house, there are lots of windows with different views of Guanajuato.
From my perch on the balcony, I’ve made friends with the roof dog next door, though we can’t actually visit each other, and I have conversations with a little cat who lives way below. She might become my girlfriend!
I have trained Constance to give me at least two active playtimes every day. My favorite toy is a feather wand “birdie,” but I have many others, including catnip, which sometimes makes me a little silly. I have my very own cardboard box and an “igloo” bed, but I also like sleeping on the couch and on Constance’s bed.
My long fur is glossy from regular brushing. Twice a day, I am fed balls of raw ground chicken mixed with high-quality canned cat food. I can eat dry kibbles from a bowl whenever I want. There is always fresh water. My two litter boxes are cleaned twice per day.
I feel secure, happy, and loved. Life is good!
Written by Constance La Lena, taking dictation from Leo