PUERTO RICO — Nat Rumoro never considered herself a “cat person”—until a tiny stray kitten made the decision for her.
While watching her fiancé’s baseball game in Puerto Rico, Rumoro was surprised when a scruffy kitten suddenly leaped onto her lap and refused to leave. The determined feline curled up comfortably, staying put for all seven innings—completely unfazed by her initial reluctance.
“Another guy watching came over and said, ‘Looks like this cat just chose you,’” Rumoro told The Dodo. “I said, ‘Oh no, I’m not bringing him home.’ He just smiled and replied, ‘I have a feeling I’ll see you tomorrow—and you might change your mind.’”
When the game ended, the kitten briefly darted away—only to sprint back moments later, planting himself firmly on Rumoro’s foot as if insisting she couldn’t leave without him. Despite the crowd, the kitten had clearly chosen her, trailing her relentlessly.
By midnight, Rumoro and her fiancé faced a choice: leave the kitten behind or take him to their Airbnb. The decision became obvious when they noticed his condition—three gashes on his nose, ears blackened with dirt, and signs of neglect.
“He clearly needed help,” Rumoro said.
They brought him inside, where the kitten, seemingly sensing their kindness, curled up and slept deeply—”like it was the first time he’d ever felt safe,” she recalled.
A vet visit the next day revealed ear mites, a potentially deadly condition for cats. But after antibiotics and medicated cream, the kitten—now named Toro (Spanish for “bull”)—quickly recovered.
Though Rumoro and her fiancé live in Kentucky—over 1,000 miles from Puerto Rico—they couldn’t imagine leaving Toro behind. Now, the once-stray cat is thriving in his new home, even adapting (somewhat) to snow.
“He’s living his best life,” Rumoro said. “He’s confused by the snow but likes to dip his paws in until they get too cold—then he’s ready to go back inside.”
One thing hasn’t changed: Toro still follows Rumoro everywhere and adores long lap sessions—proof that sometimes, the right pet finds you.
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