The Legend of My Cat: Churro

Mikayla Olivia OrrsonLeave a comment

Churro has been adjusting to Los Angeles. He has become more adventurous in the apartment and is making friends with my new roommates.

For those of you who don’t know about Churro, it’s a beautiful story of how a kitten adopted me.

In July 2018, I found a small kitten outside my apartment in Brooklyn. This wasn’t surprising since there was a large population of strays in the area. The kitten followed me, purred, and asked for pets. He was so sweet, but also so little. I jokingly named him Churro, mostly because I was on my way home from work and I had a large to go box of churros in my purse.

But, I left him outside because I feared I’d be taking him away from his mother. Also, I didn’t know what I’d do with a cat in the apartment since I already had a dog.

The next day, there was a terrible thunderstorm. The storm mellowed out for a minute, in which we took Tate (the dog) outside for a walk. Tate started going berserk at something under a car.

I crouched down to find little Churro crying in a puddle. That was it, I knew I was meant to help him. I got him inside and the fight to save him began. He has cuts, intense fleas, and was starving.

But, he also was grateful. I could feel his love for every act of kindness. I didn’t plan on keeping him at first, seeing as I already had a dog, but he was different. Churro had his own plan, which was to take over the apartment and my heart.

Jump to a little over a year (today), my little Brooklyn boy is now living in Los Angeles!

He’s gone from coast to coast, he is spoiled rotten, and he still shows me unlimited gratitude.

He’s started this behavior again, one he had as a kitten, where he needs to always have a paw touching me. When he did it as a kitten it was cute, now doing it as an adult cat it’s a sign of our bond.

Churro and I have been through a lot this year but here we are, happy and healthy in California.

Who would have guessed these two little street cats would be where we are now!?

I do believe in the powerful bonds that humans and animals make. I believe Churro needs me as much as I need him. His pure (or should I say purrr) excitement for me waking up is indescribable. He’s changed my life for the better.

Thank you, buddy.

-Mikayla Olivia Orrson

It’s Been One Week

Mikayla Olivia Orrson1 Comment

And I’m not referring to the Barenaked Ladies masterpiece.

First, let me apologize for basically falling off the map. After my last post, my life completely fell apart. I sunk into a deep depression and couldn’t find the will to write or talk about it. I’ll get into that with separate posts about what happened and the hard lessons I learned.

As I was saying, it’s been one week since the craziest decision I’ve made yet!

*DRUM ROLL*

I moved to Los Angeles!

What?! Yes! I made the decision about 3 weeks before landing here.

Why Los Angeles?

Why not. I’m 25 and I don’t want to spend my whole life in one spot, it was time to start moving.

What Are You Going To Do in Los Angeles?

Same thing I was doing in New York. I’m going to have a survival job, I’m going to write, and I’m going to look for happiness.

What About Your Friends and Family?

The beautiful thing about friends and family is that they will love you no matter what. And if they don’t, then they aren’t your friends and you can adopt a new family. Thankfully, I am blessed with incredible people in my life who are supportive in my spontaneous adventure.

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Great!

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about my first week!

I landed last Tuesday, October 1st. It was an awful experience traveling. I was flying with my cat and the poor little guy was traumatized by airport security. I wasn’t doing so swell either, I had a panic attack in the airport and ended up in a wheelchair.

After the near 6 hour flight, we made it to LAX. My lovely friend, Joe, picked us up and drove us home.

Well, not home. But my new apartment.

Here’s how the week has been, surreal. That’s the best word I can use to describe it.

I’m going to break it all down in positives and negatives. Full knowing that the negatives will change and the positives will too. But as of right now, this is how I’m doing.

Positives

  • I’ve been exercising! I have successfully run about 5 miles each morning. (I gotta get this little tummy fat under control!)
  • I have had time to decompress from everything I went through in New York. I feel my body is more relaxed. I feel my laughs are genuine and not an act.
  • Joe, he’s being very supportive of me.
  • The weather, everyday truly is perfect.
  • I went for a hike and it was breathtaking.
  • Food is cheaper, and better quality.
  • Most importantly, I moved across the country! I did something people are terrified to do.

Negatives

  • I miss my friends in New York.
  • I miss being in the same time zone as my family.
  • I miss the familiar places, like my favorite coffee shops, wine bar, and restaurants.
  • I don’t like how shallow the conversations are around me.
  • I miss the leaves changing (I know the contradicts the weather as a positive.)
    I miss my life. It took me 7 years to build my life in New York and I thought I would be okay with this adventure but I haven’t felt okay yet. (But it’s only Day 7)

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I know the issues I’m having will change as time passes. I’ll have new friends, I’ll discover new familiar places, and I’ll find the people who have worthwhile conversations.

Get ready for posts two times a week from now on. I’m back.

-Mikayla Olivia Orrson