If you were to poll cat owners, many would say that ginger tabby cats are truly special and unique. I mean, Marmalade is one and he’s pretty darn cool, right?
For one ginger tabby cat in Turkey named Tombi, he took it upon himself to take up residence where he felt he was needed. And it was a welcome surprise to a classroom of happy little third graders. They didn’t realize that this cute ball of ginger fur was a blessing in disguise. And he could transform their lives for the better.
We know that there is obviously a difference between feral cats and stray cats, but even most strays are somewhat suspicious and can be jumpy around human strangers. But Tombi? He waltzed right in to a classroom at a public elementary school in Izmir, Turkey and declared it his new home.
This is a ginger tabby who knew how to transform the lives of many, and in return, he’d get the loving furever home he deserved. <3
The classroom teacher, Özlem Pınar Ivaşcu, said that when he came into the classroom, the students were immediately interested in him and pleasantly surprised: “The children liked him very much.”
And just as cats do, little curious Tombi took a liking to the students, and their classroom. Little by little, he transformed this once strange place into his happy home. And, of course, the students didn’t seem to mind one bit.
Tombi and his classroom of delighted tiny cat servants were thrilled to be together. But it seems that the school administration wasn’t as pleased with the cat’s presence. They claimed that the cat could be a possible health risk, and insisted that poor little Tombi should be relocated to a more suitable home.
“We found a house for Tombi and he stayed there for three days, but he was not happy. He stopped eating,” says Özlem. “So I took him home, but here too he was not happy. ”
And not only was Tombi unhappy, but the students were heartbroken and lonely without him. You see, despite his presence in the classroom, Tombi served to boost the morale, and was by no means a distraction either. Two students who once had trouble focusing were at ease with Tombi’s calm presence among them. And the other students all loved having him just the same.
“When he first joined our class, I noticed a change in the children’s behavior. They were more careful and stopped running around in the classroom. They couldn’t wait to come back to school the next morning (which is remarkable for some 9-year-old children).”
Sad over the loss of their beloved feline friend, Tombi’s classmates sent letters and drawings when they learned that their feline friend was not doing well in their absence.
Beut Özlem is a dedicated teacher with a big heart. So she took it upon herself to assure that Tombi was reunited with the kids who loved him and missed him dearly. Quickly, her story spread like wildfire on social media, and shortly after was picked up by a local news station.
After all the buzz and commotion, the school administration decided to back down and allow the ginger tabby to come back “home” to the school where he knew he belonged:
“The children were very happy to have Tombi back… And he is happy again to be with the kids.”
Did this story bring a smile to your face? Share it with someone else who loves cats, just like you! The world needs more happy stories, and this is certainly one of them. 🙂
All Images Courtesy of Özlem Pınar Ivaşcu
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
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Oh my gosh, this makes me so happy! My kitties make it so much nicer to study when they’re hanging out with me, I can only imagine how happy the little 9-year-olds must be to have a classroom kitty.
I love all your stories,thank you for sharing.
Stray and feral cats are extremely friendly in Turkey.
Both cats and dogs should be in old people’s homes, hospices, prisons, care homes, universities, schools etc You would empty out these shelters in no time and lots of love for these animals.