How I became a cat owner in my new home

I never planned to have a cat. When I moved from Debrecen to Alanya with only 23kg, I thought I will be free. No responsibility. Just me, sun and sea. I was happy for first few months.

But after 3 months, something changed. I felt alone. Very alone.

In Debrecen I had family, friends, noise. Someone always called. Here in Alanya, my apartment was quiet. Too quiet. I would go to the beach, come home, make dinner, and no one to talk to. I would sit on balcony and watch people, families. At night I couldn't sleep. I felt so lonely. I started to scroll Facebook a lot, just to feel connected.

One evening I was scrolling in a local Alanya group. The group is called "Alanya Animals - Help and Adoption" or something like that. People post about lost dogs, street cats. I usually just look and scroll.

I love dogs,had at home a beautiful english cocker spaniel. But here so many cats.
Cats strange for me,they are too cold,independents,but lets see them,maybe....

Then was a post and 3 photo also. A small cat. White and black, big yellow eyes, tiny nose. She was sitting on the pillow. The description was said:

"A young cat looking for a home,affectionate and talkative,friendly little lady,,

I stopped scrolling. I looked at the photo again. And again. I don't know why, but I felt something. First sight, I fell in love. Her eyes were so cuorious but also cute. She is a little lady, hmmm...

I read the comments. 20 people wrote: so cute! But no one said I will take her.

I was thinking for 10 minutes. Should I? Can I? My apartment is small. I have no experience with cats. What if I can't take care of her? But my loneliness was bigger than my fear. I thought: maybe we both need each other. She needs home, I need company.

So I wrote a message. Hello, I am interested in the kitten. I live alone in Alanya, in a small apartment near the sea. I can give her good home. Is she still available?

They replied in 5 minutes. A Russian woman. She said yes, still available. She asked me many questions: Do you have other pets? Will you let her go outside? Will you take her to vet? I answered honestly. I said no other pets, I will keep her inside, I will take her to vet.

She said okay, they will travel back to home country next morning,but the friend can bring her to you.

I made a phone call with this friend. They will come tommorrow.

I couldn't sleep that night. I was excited like a child before Christmas.

Next day at 4pm they came. A couple, young, with a small carrier. They knocked. I opened the door. Inside carrier was the cat from photo. But in real life she was even more cute. Smaller. She was very shy.

The woman said: her name is Safınaz for now, but you can change. She eats this food, she uses litter box, she likes to sleep near people.

They put her in my living room. She ran under my sofa. She stayed there for 2 hours. I was sitting on floor, waiting. I talked to her quietly: it's okay, you are safe now.

Then slowly she came out. She sniffed my hand. Then she climbed on my lap. And she started to purr. Loud purr. At that moment I started to cry. I didn't know why. Maybe because I was not alone anymore.

The couple smiled. They said: she chose you. And they left.

Safınaz is still here.She sleeps on my pillow, she steals my socks, she watches birds from balcony.Eatıng well,always hungry. Start to ask the food 5.00 am ın morning. Likes cat foods and my home made foods. Lunch time sıttıng on the chair,next to the table and checking my lunch, tastes it. Very funny.

My life is different now. I wake up and first thing I see is her face. I talk to her when I make coffee. I come home from market and she waits at door. I am not lonely anymore.

I left Debrecen with 23kg. I thought I will have only things in suitcase. But now I have Safınaz. She was not in my plan. I found her on Facebook when I felt most alone. And she found me.

Sometimes I look at that first photo I saw on Facebook. The photo that made me stop scrolling. I saved it. That photo changed my life.

If you feel alone in new place, don't be scared to get a cat. Check Facebook local groups. Maybe your Safınaz is waiting there too.