After Gremlin died, I felt widowed. A few weeks later, a model from eight years ago reached out to me to offer “Drifter”, a little abandoned kitten found by her friend and bottle-fed by Kirsten.
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/funny_kitten_DSC5379web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/eating_kitten_DSC5271web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/kirsten_kitten_DSC5322web.jpg)
I wasn’t sure about taking on a new kitten, so Chapa returned for another visit.
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_DSC0641web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_sleeping_DSC0643web.jpg)
Having made up my mind, I adopted the kitten, naming him Chapa after a toy bear I had as a child. The little furball resembled a clumsy bear in form and movements.
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_DSC2737web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_yawn_DSC2733web.jpg)
Since then, the beast has grown a bit. He commands my attention and that of everyone else. Chapa is a remarkably friendly cat, heavily imprinted on humans.
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/handheld_chapa_DSC2131web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chris_pets_chapa_DSC2260web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_selfie_DSC3149web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/kitten_kiss_DSC3118web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_playing_beast_DSC3043web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chapa_willing_prey_DSC3062web.jpg)
Sometimes, he purrs and cuddles. Other times, chews on fingers, but never to draw blood. He is remarkably good about keeping claws sheathed when playing with people.
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/resting_model_DSC3474web.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/biting_beast_DSC3045web.jpg)
He’s rather less restrained with mice. He’s an indoor cat, but the one mouse that managed to get into the house died quickly.
![](https://blog.olegvolk.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dead_mouse_DSC2321-1024x537.jpg)
![](https://olegvolk.net/gallery/galleries/nature/album03/mammals/chapa/chepa_repose_DSC3126web.jpg)
Chapa is a great companion. I still miss Gremlin.
Beautiful, sir.
Beautiful and a good mouser. Excellent.
A lovely friendly kitten found a great friend in Oleg!
Glad to see you posting again, Oleg! Was worried about you. I hope your new kitten is a blessing.
You have my deepest sympathies over the loss of your friend, Gremlin. Cats leave their paw prints on our hearts.
What a beautiful cat Chapa is! I love those eyes! Chapa’s lucky to have such a devoted friend. I wish you many happy years together.
I’ll echo Brannick in that it’s good to see you posting again. It’s also good to see Chapa, and him see him growing like a weed.
I’m currently living with cats numbers six and seven, just in my adult life. They all leave unalterable imprints on our hearts. They’re all individuals with distinct personalities, but a few things in common. It’s hard to imagine a life without them around.
Followed your 2A work for years, Oleg. I know Gremlin’s loss is terrible, we greive with thee…. I hope Chapa helps ease the pain. God bless.
Here via Bayourenaissance blog. I am so sorry for your loss of Gremlin. Even though we know we outlive them, it never gets easy. And bless you for taking this little guy on board. What a truly spectacular little man. So much love there. It’s wonderful.