A rescued cat showed his gratitude to his rescuers by leaning in for some pets and giving them his version of a “car wash”.
Ruthie Weatherly, a dedicated volunteer with Urban Cat Coalition, discovered a stray orange cat with unique crinkled ears while working on a trap-neuter-return project.
Despite his shy and scruffy appearance, the cat, named Gus, had a look of longing in his big eyes, seeking human connection. Ruthie reached out to her fellow volunteer, Julie Krawczyk, to see if she could provide a loving home for Gus, who was in need of some tender loving care.
Julie opened her doors to Gus and immediately noticed the physical signs of his past hardships.

Gus received medical treatment for a wound on his face, along with other health issues like breathing problems and dirty ears. Julie affectionately nicknamed him “disaster cake” due to his condition. Initially timid and scared, Gus sought solace in a cubby bed at Julie’s place, reluctant to come out into the light.

Julie patiently allowed Gus to warm up to her, offering head scratches and belly rubs as he gradually became more comfortable. Gus’s eyes would light up and his demeanor would relax as he enjoyed being petted, even engaging in what Julie called “the car wash” – rubbing his face against her hand repeatedly.

Julie noticed the callouses on Gus’s paws, a testament to his rough life on the streets. She looked forward to the day when those callouses would start falling off, signaling that Gus had truly embraced a softer, more relaxed lifestyle. Gus behaved bravely at the vet’s office during tests and x-rays, returning home to drool and snore in peace as he awaited his results.

The orange cat, whom Julie affectionately calls Gus, has a peculiar habit that brings to mind the movie “50 First Dates.” According to Julie, Gus seems to forget his fondness for her every day. When she arrives home, he scurries into his hiding spot, only to reemerge after receiving some head scratches, displaying his contentment through stretching, purring, and even drooling.

Despite his initial forgetfulness, Gus eventually remembers his foster mom and happily emerges from his hiding place to enjoy some much-deserved attention from Julie. He is particularly fond of wet food and enjoys lounging on the radiator or perching on the window sill to observe the yard. Furthermore, Gus has a unique way of seeking affection – Julie describes it as the “car wash” routine, where he walks back and forth to be petted.

Gus is receiving top-notch care thanks to the Urban Cat Coalition and tons of love from his foster family.
“Despite his health issues, Gus is a content, chubby little dude who’s always in high spirits,” says Julie Krawczyk.
After his rough days as a stray, Gus is thrilled to have a cozy home, plenty of food, and caring humans to show him affection.

Don’t forget to spread the word about this tale. For more updates on Gus and Urban Cat Coalition, check out their profiles on Instagram and Facebook. Special shoutout to Julie for her help.

Bonus story: A Pair of Kittens in Need, One Seems Blind but Surprises Everyone with His Eyesight Later on.