Ethan, the kitten, came from the streets of Dubai and was near death when a kind woman found him. It’s unimaginable what happened to him, and yet today, he is happy and thriving in a loving home in Germany.
In late 2020, a woman named Begüm Hürer found Ethan in a parking lot. He suffered from a severe infected mouth injury that left him reeking with the stench. Showing great compassion, she and her husband decided to do something to help the 4-month-old kitten. Thanks to this, Ethan’s life would be better from that moment on.
“She found him extremely malnourished and in terrible condition,” said Silke, who later adopted Ethan. “His entire mouth was infected, and his breath smelled so bad and foul that she and her husband had to open all the windows of the car when they took him to the vet.”
Images via Instagram/ethan_the.arabian.mau
Compassionate Couple Takes Ethan to a Vet
Thankfully, the couple took Ethan to a veterinarian, who suspected the cat bit into a power cable. His condition was so poor that part of his mouth fell off in the vet’s office.
However, nobody will ever know what really happened except Ethan.
“Who knows what this poor baby had to go through?” Ethan’s family wrote on Instagram. 😢 “I am just so happy that he was found by a wonderful woman who took him to the vet and didn’t look away when she saw that he was in need. And that he’s living a happy life with us now.” ❤️
When the vet saw Ethan, they didn’t expect him to live. All of his teeth had to be removed, but he survived, and his health started to improve. In time, he would be ready for adoption.
“After my surgery”
German Couple Sees Ethan on Facebook
Across almost 4,000 miles, Silke was looking at Facebook. There, she was scrolling through posts by a group that helps cats from the United Arab Emirates find homes.
When Silke saw the picture below, she fell in love with Ethan. Soon, he would be on an over 7-hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany, where he would have everything a cat could ever need.
“The picture that made my Mommy fall in love with me and got me adopted 💛✨”
Notably, Silke named him Ethan after Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible, which features scenes shot in Dubai.
Ethan’s First Day in Germany
After the long flight, Ethan was pampered, receiving toys and a cat tree where he could rest in a sunny window.
“What I did on my first day in my new home? Sleep. A LOT! 😴 Found out that it is the best way to adjust to the time difference and those freaking cold temperatures 🥶 (March/2021).”
Now, he could spend his time cuddling with his bear in a cozy blanket.
“Love you too, bear 🐻”
Other times, Ethan enjoys hanging out in his cat-shaped cozy and sprawling on the couch.
“I’m all ears 🙃🐾”
As you can see on Instagram, Ethan is loving life to the fullest now, playing in his own pool, dangling from his cat tree, and getting into everything he can find.
“It’s Friiiiiiiiiiiday! Yaaaay! *high five* 🐾”
Like the cat before him, Ethan would enjoy spending time in a plush chair. Horatio, a beloved 15-year-old cat, passed away, leaving the couple heartbroken.
Eventually, Silki and her husband began thinking about bringing a new companion into their lives when they spotted Ethan on Facebook. Now, he helps ease their pain every day, often reminding them of Horatio.
“This was my predecessor’s favorite chair, one of his toys and blankets. I will forever cherish your favorite spot, Horatio 🐾🤍”
💕 Adorably Different Ethan is Inspiring! 💕
Although he had such a difficult beginning, Ethan is doing great today! On December 26, 2021, he marked one year since rescue from the streets.
Due to his mouth injury, eating dry food can be a bit of a challenge. But otherwise, he has adjusted completely. Like any other cat, he enjoys playing, watching birds, and taking naps on Silke when she’s trying to read.
By sharing this kitty’s story, she hopes others will consider adopting “adorably different” cats like Ethan.
“Ethan means everything to me and helped me to cope with the death of our Horatio,” Silke told meowAF. “Just looking at him and seeing how far he has come, that he survived his time alone in the streets and that he’s such a tough little kitten, make my heart swell so much happiness every single time.”
Indeed, Ethan is one tough little guy and as adorable as can be.
“Aunt Monika thinks I look like a Karate cat with a punch move 🥋🐾🤛🏼”
For more, follow Ethan the Arabian Mau on Instagram.
The Arabian Mau
Ethan is an Arabian Mau kitten whose ancestry goes back a thousand years to an African wildcat. The breed has only recently been recognized by the World Cat Federation and the Emirates Feline Federation. These active, intelligent cats are considered one of the oldest natural feline breeds.
Meanwhile, the similar long-recognized Egyptian Mau once enjoyed an elevated status in the pyramids. The Pharaohs worshiped them as godlike, the word Mau meaning cat or sun. Some consider the Egyptian Mau the only naturally spotted breed of domestic cat.
Now, Ethan enjoys being treated to the kind of life his ancient ancestors would approve of.
“Enjoying the winter sun ☀️under palms 🌴🐾 “
