Nathan’s journey from a lonely kitten found on the side of a busy freeway to a beach-loving adventurer is nothing short of heartwarming.
This kitty was discovered in a small box along with her mom and siblings, helpless and too young to fend for themselves.
Fortunately, a good Samaritan spotted them and they were swiftly taken into the care of the RSPCA.
Nathan’s early days were filled with uncertainty, but her luck changed when she was adopted by Melissa Pietrobuono and her partner Rian, who immediately fell in love with her spirited personality.
The name Nathan was originally meant as a joke, inspired by a character from a show Melissa and her partner enjoyed. They laughed at the quirky, unconventional name, never expecting it to stick, as Melissa explained in an interview:
“Once we brought her home, we actually quite liked the name and it stuck, despite not really being a girl’s name. It still makes us laugh sometimes and we can’t imagine her being named anything else.”
But Nathan’s bold, playful nature made this name feel just right, and now they couldn’t imagine calling her anything else.
From the moment Nathan entered her new home, she became her parents’ tiny shadow. Whether it’s lounging on the couch during movie night, watching them cook dinner, or snuggling in bed, Nathan makes sure she’s always by their side.
Nathan’s parents wanted her to experience more than just indoor life, so they decided to introduce her to the outdoors in a safe way. They trained her to wear a harness and leash, which she quickly adapted to.
Living near the coast, it wasn’t long before they took her to the beach for the first time. They expected her to enjoy the sand, and maybe chase a few birds, but they were in for a surprise.
At first, the beach was a big, unfamiliar place. Nathan hesitated, her little paws sinking into the sand as she cautiously followed her parents.
But as her confidence grew, she realized the beach was full of new adventures waiting to be explored. Her parents led her closer to the water, and in a sweet, unexpected moment, Nathan waded right in, splashing alongside them.
She watched her dad wade deeper, and without missing a beat, Nathan followed, dipping her paws into the cool waves.
To her parents’ amazement, Nathan took to the water like a natural. She wasn’t just content with paddling around; she actually seemed to love swimming, as Melissa shared:
“Initially she just wet her legs and body, would jump over a few little waves, and then we went deeper and deeper into the water and she would still follow, and now she swims.”
She now joins her parents on their regular beach outings without a leash, sticking close as they stroll along the shore. She joyfully leaps over waves, paddles, and even rides on their backs, enjoying the gentle sway of the ocean.
Nathan also enjoys other beach activities, like basking in the sun, pouncing on little crabs, and engaging in playful standoffs with seagulls. Her mom shares:
“She stares down seagulls but hasn’t built up the courage to approach them yet. When the crabs come out she chases them around also. But most of her time is following us around and getting wet.”
Nathan started her life as a scared and abandoned kitty, but now she’s thriving, surrounded by love and happiness.
The beach has become her second home, a place where she can be free, playful, and most importantly, close to the people she loves the most.
You can keep up with Nathan’s delightful beach adventures and watch her defy cat stereotypes on her Instagram.
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