Virginia Man Adopts Chatty Rescue Kitten And His Surprising “Puppy” Habits Heal His Heart
When Russell took in a pair of kittens from an overwhelmed home, he had no idea one of them would grow up to act exactly like a loyal dog.
An Empty Home
Russell was navigating a difficult season of grief after losing his beloved cat.
His home felt incredibly quiet, and the absence of a feline companion left a noticeable void in his daily routine.
He wasn’t sure if he was completely ready to open his heart again so soon.
But fate had other plans waiting for him at a local veterinary clinic, and it would come in the form of two tiny kittens.
A Crowded Beginning
At Russell’s veterinary clinic, the staff would regularly rotate cats that desperately needed to find forever homes.
One day, a pair of three-month-old kittens arrived at the clinic under heartbreaking circumstances.
They came from a home where the cats weren’t being spayed or neutered, leading to an overwhelming population that the owners simply couldn’t care for.
Russell saw the brother and sister duo and knew he couldn’t leave either of them behind.
He decided to adopt both of them at the same time, knowing it would be wonderful for the kittens to have each other’s company.
Two Very Different Siblings
As the kittens settled into their new home, their distinct personalities quickly began to shine through.
The female kitten, named Artemis, proved to be a very shy and skittish soul.
Russell lovingly describes her as a true “cat cat” who often wants to be left alone and prefers not to be the center of attention.
Her brother, Apollo, was the complete opposite in every imaginable way.
Apollo was incredibly friendly, constantly seeking cuddles, and quickly earned the nickname of Russell’s little “puppy cat.”
The “Puppy Cat” Personality
Over the years, Apollo’s dog-like tendencies only grew stronger and more endearing.
Like a loyal canine, the fluffy feline follows Russell around the house from room to room.
Whenever Russell leaves, he knows exactly who will be waiting for him right at the front door when he returns.
Apollo simply wants to be a part of whatever is going on in the house at all times.
Despite always being drawn to cats, Russell finds it hilarious that he ended up with a pet so remarkably dog-like.
Reaching New Heights
One of Apollo’s most impressive traits is his incredible athletic ability, especially when it’s dinner time.
The enthusiastic cat is always yelling and jumping with excitement when food or treats are involved.
Russell is a pretty tall person, standing at six-foot-one, but Apollo is more than up to the challenge.
The highest Russell has ever held a treat is a few inches above his head, around six-foot-four.
Amazingly, Apollo has been able to jump that high and snatch the treat right out of the air.
The Ultimate Conversationalist
Beyond his athletic feats, Apollo is also a very chatty companion who loves to make his voice heard.
Russell says he can practically hold a full conversation with the vocal feline.
A lot of this chattiness stems from Apollo’s deep desire to be included in every aspect of Russell’s day.
Sometimes, if Russell sleeps in a little too long, Apollo will get right in his face and start “screaming” at him to wake up.
But Russell loves him so much that even the early morning wake-up calls don’t bother him in the slightest.
A Gentle And Compassionate Friend
Even though Apollo acts ravenous and gets intensely excited about his treats, he is always incredibly gentle.
He has learned to be compassionate toward his dad, ensuring he never accidentally hurts him while grabbing a snack.
This gentle nature extends to their quiet moments together, especially at the end of the day.
Late at night, Apollo will go lie down on the bed and stare at Russell.
His look clearly says, “What are you doing? It’s time to cuddle and go to bed,” proving he is excellent at communicating his needs.
A Decade Of Healing
The bond between Russell and Apollo deepened significantly over the last two and a half years while Russell was working from home.
They have been through a lot together, supporting each other through various hard times.
When Apollo faced medical hurdles, like a series of dental issues, Russell was right there to help him heal.
Taking care of this giant, living teddy bear brings a profound sense of stability to Russell’s life.
Now ten years old, Apollo has changed his dad’s world, and Russell hopes they have many more long, happy years together.
