Family Searching for Adoptable Cats Discovers Long-Lost Feline Friend
Copyright Source:
Yueke
Fri, May 31, 2024
PHOTO: Yueke
Alyssa Nicole was just a fifth-grader when her family had to part with their beloved cat, Gato. Facing eviction, Nicole's mother tried desperately to find someone to take in Gato, but without success, they were forced to surrender him to a shelter in Washington.
Two years later, after finding stable housing, the family returned to the area. Feeling the void left by Gato's absence, they decided to search for a new cat on Craigslist. What they found was beyond their wildest dreams.
Nicole’s mom stumbled upon a post featuring a cat that looked remarkably like Gato, complete with the same distinctive facial markings, including a dot on his nose. Realizing it could be their long-lost pet, they were ecstatic.
"We were all screaming," Nicole told The Dodo. "We were so excited [and] jumping up and down."
Without hesitation, Nicole's mom contacted the person who posted the ad. That very night, they went to see the cat. During the car ride, Nicole and her mom were in disbelief, feeling the experience was "too strange to be a coincidence."
When they arrived, their suspicions were confirmed. Gato recognized them immediately, meowing and rubbing against their legs. The two years apart vanished in an instant as he eagerly reunited with his family.
"He recognized us immediately. He was meowing and rubbing on our legs … he was ready to go home," Nicole said.
The reunion was a profound moment of joy for Nicole and her family. Gato quickly settled back into their home, acting as if he had never left.
“He knew he was home now,” Nicole said.
Now, six years after their reunion, Gato is 12 years old and living his best life as a senior cat in his forever home. Nicole and her family still marvel at how fate brought their beloved cat back to them, cherishing every moment they have together.
Two years later, after finding stable housing, the family returned to the area. Feeling the void left by Gato's absence, they decided to search for a new cat on Craigslist. What they found was beyond their wildest dreams.
Nicole’s mom stumbled upon a post featuring a cat that looked remarkably like Gato, complete with the same distinctive facial markings, including a dot on his nose. Realizing it could be their long-lost pet, they were ecstatic.
"We were all screaming," Nicole told The Dodo. "We were so excited [and] jumping up and down."
Without hesitation, Nicole's mom contacted the person who posted the ad. That very night, they went to see the cat. During the car ride, Nicole and her mom were in disbelief, feeling the experience was "too strange to be a coincidence."
When they arrived, their suspicions were confirmed. Gato recognized them immediately, meowing and rubbing against their legs. The two years apart vanished in an instant as he eagerly reunited with his family.
"He recognized us immediately. He was meowing and rubbing on our legs … he was ready to go home," Nicole said.
The reunion was a profound moment of joy for Nicole and her family. Gato quickly settled back into their home, acting as if he had never left.
“He knew he was home now,” Nicole said.
Now, six years after their reunion, Gato is 12 years old and living his best life as a senior cat in his forever home. Nicole and her family still marvel at how fate brought their beloved cat back to them, cherishing every moment they have together.
Sitting in a chair, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Brenda Cooper, a stylist, author, and professional color analyst, was draping two different shades of orange fabric under my chin over my gray apron. One shade was bright and bold, the other soft and muted. According to Cooper, one of these oranges harmonized with my complexion, while the other did not. In her words, one was "my orange."
At this stage of our color analysis session, I squinted, trying to discern any difference. Cooper had warned me at the beginning that this might happen. She confessed that she, too, couldn't see a significant difference when she first had her colors analyzed years ago. Now, she claims the difference is as clear as day to her, and she believes people subconsciously gravitate towards her when she's wearing her optimal colors.
Color analysis, the process of identifying your most complementary color palette, is not a new concept. It has been a practice among stylists since the 1970s and '80s. However, it's currently experiencing a resurgence on TikTok, largely thanks to Gen Z, who are newly discovering its appeal.
On TikTok, young people approach color analysis in various ways. Some use filters and computer simulators, while others pay hundreds of dollars for professional consultations. A few even travel to South Korea, where they believe the best color analysts are located.
Many of the color analysis videos on TikTok are captivating, showing people’s complexions seemingly brighten and skin tones even out just by changing the color held under their chins. These videos often garner millions of views but also attract skepticism. Commenters frequently question whether editing or filters are involved, and opinions vary on which shade looks best.
Cooper insists that wearing the right colors can make a significant difference. "It's something that is very much overlooked because people look at color, and they purchase or wear the colors they like to look at," she explains. "Wearing a color is a completely different thing. I often say that people fall in love with colors that aren't in love with them."
My session with Cooper left me intrigued. While I initially struggled to see the difference, I couldn't help but notice a subtle but undeniable shift in my appearance as we experimented with different colors. The experience made me appreciate the potential impact of color analysis, even if I remain a bit skeptical.