New Cat Dad Adopts a Cat — Then Finds Him a Best Friend

I had just moved to Dubai, and there was one thing I'd always wanted a cat. I'd never owned a pet before, so everything was new to me. Then I met Cheese. His previous owner had given him up because there were too many kittens. When I first saw him, Cheese was incredibly calm and affectionate. He came right over and acted like he'd known me forever. He'd sit next to me, roll over for a belly rub, and make these little chirping sounds. I'd never heard a cat make sounds like that before. What's up, buddy? The beginning was a little difficult because I'd never had a pet before. I didn't know when Cheese wanted attention or when he'd had enough. He'd come over and sit beside me, so I'd pet him. A few seconds later, he'd get up and walk away. That was my first lesson with Cheese. One day, I threw one of his toys across the room. He ran after it, picked it up, carried it all the way back, and dropped it right next to me. So I threw it again. He brought it back again. We kept doing it, and that's how I discovered my cat could play fetch. He'd chase the toy, bring it back, and wait for me to throw it again. Cheese likes attention, but he doesn't need much of it. Sometimes he wants a belly rub. Sometimes he wants me to sit beside him. And sometimes he wants absolutely nothing to do with me. I learned to watch his ears. When they go straight up, I call them his airplane ears. That's when I stop. I don't pick him up. I don't keep petting him. I just give him some space. After a while, I didn't need to guess anymore. One look at those ears told me exactly what Cheese wanted. What did I do? Whenever I left the house, Cheese was always in the back of my mind. I'd be out working or running errands, knowing he was back home by himself. Then I'd come through the door, and he'd be there. Sometimes he'd come straight over for attention. Other times, he'd barely look at me and go about his business. There were days when work was stressful, and I'd come home tired. I'd sit down, and Cheese would be somewhere nearby. He didn't have to sit on my lap. He didn't have to do anything. He was just there. Having Cheese around made coming home feel different. My schedule got pretty busy, and Cheese spent a lot of time alone. I didn't like leaving him by himself for so long, so I decided to get another cat. That's how I found Bagel. I got Bagel from someone who rescues cats and brought him home, hoping the two of them would eventually become friends. Cheese had a different reaction. This is your man. Look at the screen. The first time Cheese saw Bagel, he hissed. Then he growled. Bagel still walked toward him. Cheese moved away. Bagel followed. Cheese found another spot. Bagel showed up there too. Bagel wanted to be next to Cheese all the time, while Cheese wanted nothing more than some personal space. I'd watch Bagel follow him around the house, while Cheese kept trying to get away. It was pretty funny. Bagel got attached to Cheese almost immediately. Everywhere Cheese went, Bagel followed. If Cheese walked into another room, Bagel would get up and go right after him. If he couldn't find Cheese, he'd start crying until Cheese came back. Bagel treated Cheese like his mom. Cheese wasn't nearly as excited about the relationship. He'd hiss, growl, or simply walk away whenever Bagel got too close. But Bagel never gave up. He'd curl up beside Cheese, follow him around the house, and wait nearby whenever Cheese disappeared. After a while, Cheese stopped pushing him away. He still liked his space, but Bagel had become part of his everyday life. Cheese never completely changed. He's still particular about when he wants attention. He's still moody sometimes, and those airplane ears still come out when he's had enough. But now Bagel is always somewhere close. Bagel lies near Cheese. He follows him around the house. Sometimes Cheese will just sit there and let him stay. They've developed their own little routine. I never forced them to become friends. I just gave them time. And somehow, the cat who once wanted everyone to leave him alone, now has a little shadow following him from room to room. I'm still learning how to be a cat dad, but life with Cheese and Bagel feels pretty normal now. Cheese is affectionate when he wants to be. He still plays fetch, he still has all those different meows, and he still lets me know when he's had enough. Bagel is usually somewhere close behind him. I originally wanted one cat because I'd always wanted a pet. Then I brought Bagel home because I didn't want Cheese to be alone. Now I have two cats running around the house, each with a completely different personality. And honestly, I can't imagine the place without either one of them. If Cheese and Bagel made you smile, give this video a like and subscribe for more heartwarming animal stories.