“He just popped his little head up.”
At Olive Atelier, a pottery shop in Los Angeles, California, the staff is used to seeing all kinds of visitors searching for unique vases or vintage plates. But one day, they encountered their most unexpected guest yet—a stray cat who had made the shop his home.
Elizabeth, one of the shop’s employees, first spotted the gray kitty poking his head out of a large clay pot. “It was really cute,” Elizabeth said. She quickly realized the stray had taken refuge inside the pottery. Concerned for the cat, she decided to help.
She left out a bowl of cat food, and hunger overcame the cat’s initial fear. Slowly but surely, the curious feline began to trust Elizabeth, returning daily for food. Over time, the once-skittish stray warmed up to her.
“When he did let me pet him, then it was over,” Elizabeth shared. “He transformed into a total cuddlebug.”
The cat was given a name, Patino, and a place in Elizabeth’s heart. She ensured he received proper veterinary care and vaccinations, paving the way for his adoption. To celebrate his new life, the staff threw an adoption party in his honor.
Now, Patino lives with Elizabeth and his new cat siblings, enjoying the comforts of a loving home. Still, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. Elizabeth often brings him back to the shop to visit the staff and regular patrons who first met him.
“I try to bring him in once every week, so if anybody wants to see him, he’s usually here on Fridays,” she said.
Reflecting on their serendipitous meeting, Elizabeth feels grateful for that chance encounter. “I’m so thankful that I found him,” she said. “Probably one of the best things I did was taking him home!”