We discovered Bory from a list of stray cats posted online for adoption. Without hesitation, we knew he was the one for us, and we contacted his temporary guardian to arrange a visit on the same day.

We drove 40 minutes to a rural area with a cat carrier. Bory was so thin and small that I had to hold him gently to avoid hurting him. On our way back, we brainstormed names and finally settled on Bory, which means “barley” in Korean, inspired by his tail that resembled the plant.

We isolated Bory in a room for about two weeks to help him adjust and allow Luffy to get used to his scent before a direct encounter. Gradually, we expanded his space. Thankfully, after a few weeks of awkward interactions, they got along well. From the beginning, Bory wasn’t a fan of being hugged. Every time we tried to hold him, he would slip away from our fingers and land on the ground. However, he loved being petted and would knead with his tiny paws whenever we petted him.

Bory loves to play catch with a string toy, especially one with a feather. He can jump twice his body length to catch it. He’s a healthy cat overall, but his poop smells awful. We consulted the vet during his annual checkup, and she recommended probiotics, but the smell hasn’t improved in the three years we’ve had him. It lingers for about five minutes, like a baby’s diarrhea.

Bory’s eyes are usually big and round, and when he looks at us, they’re so adorable and twinkly that we can’t resist trying to hug him, even though he despises it. As he grew, his body became very muscular, unlike Luffy’s slim, furry frame. Bory’s short hair reveals his thick, strong body. When he tries to escape from our hugs, his back paws deliver powerful kicks that momentarily take our breath away.

Despite his strength, Bory has a gentle nature. He never hisses, scratches, or bites us. When he wants attention, he wiggles out of our hold and presents his back end for pats. He purrs when petted, but the sound is so faint we have to put our ear close to his neck to hear it.

Bory is very food-motivated. He seems to have an internal clock, as he always comes to us at 9 am, 2 pm, and 7 pm to meow for food. We feed the cats by age order, so Luffy gets his food first. Bory never steals from Luffy’s plate; he patiently waits for his turn. Once he finishes eating, which he does quickly, he sits by his empty bowl and watches Luffy eat. If Luffy leaves any food, Bory finishes the remainder. If Luffy finishes his bowl right away, Bory checks it anyway and looks at him in disappointment. Meal times are the only times we hear Bory make noise; otherwise, he silently explores, runs around, and naps.

In closing, Bory has brought so much joy and love into our lives. His playful antics, gentle nature, and unique personality make every day special. We cherish our time with Bory and look forward to many more happy moments together.