Searching for a sense of purpose in life, and something to give it meaning? If so, rescuers suggest adopting a senior cat like Octavia, who waited years to find a home. Giving a senior cat their best Golden Years can be incredibly rewarding.
After four years with no adoption, Octavia was given another chance at life, transferring cross-country from Texas to New York City’s first cat café, Meow Parlour. When she arrived, they discovered this tiny lady was missing all but two teeth due to stomatitis, but she remained stunning nonetheless.
Possibly due to a typo, her true age was a mystery, but they guessed she could be anywhere between 9 to infinity years old.
“I prefer the idea that Octavia’s prime years landed sometime in the 70s or that she’s actually infinity years old, but maybe she is 5. Or 9. Or 52,” mused rescuer Christina Ha.
Octavia in the sunshine via Facebook/ Meow Parlour
What Tales Could Octavia Tell?
Judging from her weathered fur, haunched back, and raspy voice, they knew she was a senior survivor with many stories to tell.
“In the words of her foster, ‘a splendid personality, she is known for her ominous and judgemental hunching and half-loafing. Very affectionate in the right mood, she enjoys sitting next to you and watching TV.'” shared Meow Parlour in December 2022.
While she often looked mad, her looks belied her true nature. She was dignified with a soft heart inside a tough exterior. When she had something to say, she did so with a powerful lounge singer voice.
“Santa Octavia is clearly not amused but willing to endure this hat to put the spotlight on our harder to adopt cats!” they shared.
Octavia wears a Santa hat at Meow Parlour in NYC
Octavia Should Be Everyone’s Higher Purpose
Although she was a favorite at the café, finding this cat’s home remained challenging. Most are focused on adopting the cute whippersnapper kittens. But she needed palliative care for her remaining days. Like many older cats, she had advanced kidney disease, manageable with an easy daily procedure.
Still, nobody adopted her for almost a year! Not until Christina told her story in a captivating, imaginative, and funny way (see video below). That’s when she had a shining spotlight, and people saw her in a new light.
“If you’ve ever wondered what it means to have a higher purpose in life, let me tell you something – your higher purpose could be taking Octavia home for whatever time she has left, letting her drink out of your faucets and pee in your sink, and giving her a buffet of all the foods she never got to try during her entire lifetime of not having a forever family. It could be falling in love with a crispy orange cat and for a little part of your life, losing yourself to her wants and needs, knowing that what you’re able to give Octavia is better than anything she ever could have hoped for in her 4+ years of looking. Octavia should be everyone’s higher purpose, ❤️” wrote Ha.
Video by Christina Ha via Instagram/whiskstowhiskers
Octavia Gets Her Loving Home
Shortly after sharing the wonderful video, Octavia’s dream finally came true. She was going home!
“Huge smiles on everyone’s face at Meow Parlour today because our girl Octavia was adopted!! It’s really emotional for the whole team to know that she will be safe and loved in a home with a doting human,” Meow Parlour shared.
Who knows what Octavia was thinking as she went into a crate headed for another adventure.
Lady O in a Lap of Luxury
On Instagram, Octavia was now dubbed Lady O, with everything she could ever want or need, the lap of luxury and two new kitty siblings. Among her favorite activities were snuggles, head bumps, or sitting on her new hooman’s lap – and head!
“Sure, lady O- take a seat anywhere 😑”
“Lady O is living out her Princess and the Pea fantasy👸. Was doing a mass clean in the apartment- and here I find O in pure comfort 😆.”
Octavia, now Lady O via Instagram
Then, too soon, her time arrived, and she crossed the rainbow bridge. But in those final days, she experienced all the love she deserved with her family, who found a higher purpose in adopting Lady O. What a beautiful final chapter they gave her.
“Was reminiscing today on my sweet Lady O. Was looking through her pictures and was struck with gratitude and love in that I was able to share the last few days with her. Although short, our time together was perfect 🧡I think about you daily my sweet girl,” her mom shared.
