“Baozi walked straight to me. He chose me before I chose him.”
Baozi, a male golden British Shorthair, is Tinny’s beloved cat.
Tinny met Baozi one and a half years ago and felt an immediate connection the first time they met. Among a room full of kittens, he walked through the crowd, nestled his tiny head into Tinny’s arm, and refuse to leave. That’s when Tinny knew he was the one.
Baozi is shy, cautious, but curious. When he first arrived at Tinny’s apartment, he spent a week hiding in corners, cautiously observing the unfamiliar space. “He was afraid of everything that came close.” Tinny recalls.
To help him feel safe, Tinny never pushed. She respected his space, softly calling his name each day. Gradually, Baozi began to respond to her voice, react to her gentle touch, and eventually stepped out of his hiding place.
Now, Baozi is confident and curious at home. He has a playful streak and enjoys playing with Tinny—The laser pointer excites him the most. The fast, unpredictable little red dot raises his prey drive. His eyes lock in, paws tense, and the hunt begins. With perfect timing, he launches across the room—quick, precise, determined.
A strategic little hunter in golden fur.
Still, Baozi isn’t quick to warm up to strangers. He is sensitive to body language, voices and tones, and tends to shy away from unfamiliar people. During a photoshoot at Kitchen in the box studio, Baozi stayed snuggled next to Tinny most of the time, seeking comfort and reassurance.
Food calms his nerves. Tinny enjoys cooking for him: “He loves freeze-dried chicken breast and creamy purees. He usually stands by my side and waits patiently while I prepare his food,” Tinny says. Baozi keeps meowing once he sees the food is ready, headbutting her for attention, and demanding for the feast.
For Tinny, Baozi is family. His presence helped her through a painful breakup, offering a quiet kind of comfort no words could replace. He curled up beside her, purring softly, like he knew just how to be there.
“It’s like he senses my emotions,” Tinny says, “I could feel he was showing compassion, telling me he'd never leave.”
“Baozi made my apartment feel like home.” Tinny tells us. No matter how long or tiring the day, Baozi is always there—waiting patiently by the door.