Behold: this incredibly charming, thicc cat.
This is Bruno, and he’s a 25-pound cat who’s currently up for adoption at the Wright-Way Rescue Adoption Center in Morton Grove, Illinois. Erin Ellison, who works at the shelter, told BuzzFeed News he's been in their care since April 11 when he was given up for adoption because he "wasn't meshing well with young kids in his home."
"He was no doubt loved by his former family but maybe a little too much," she said. "He needed a home that would love him enough to help him trim down."
The 7-year-old cat is polydactyl, meaning he has a few extra toes. He also has a strange habit of standing on his hind legs, the shelter said on Facebook.
“This usually happens when I want food. No, my foster parents did not teach me this. They are not sure how I learned,” the shelter said.
He’s now on a diet and “walking, playing, and doing tricks” so he can lose some weight.
Bruno also apparently loves to be petted while he eats.
“It took my foster mom a little time to realize what I was meowing about, since she had just put food in my bowl,” the shelter said. “Soon she found out it’s because I want pets while I eats! I will still eat if you don’t pet me, but I will meow more and stare at you for a while.”
He also drinks a lot of water, but is very particular about it.
“I never drink the water in the kitchen where my food is. I only drink the water that was put in a completely different room,” the shelter wrote. “If you have a larger house, perhaps put multiple bowls of water around for me and be sure to give me fresh water at least once day?”
“Yes, I know I am EXTRA,” they wrote.
Besides getting pets while eating and staying hydrated, Bruno’s hobbies are simple: lying down and, well, getting more pets.
“When I am in a normal home, most of my day is spent laying around, but never far from my family. I usually prefer to lay on the floor or right next to you, but occasionally I like to be a lap-cat,” the shelter said. “I also really like playing with my feather wand toy. Not so much my other toys or scratchers, though. I do like to sleep with my foster parents, but at the end of the bed so you still have room.”
He also likes “when you scratch the sides of my face and neck.”
“I like to be pet on the top of my head and spine only. I know my tummy is so tempting to touch, but I would prefer if you didn’t,” they said. “I may swat my hand and pretend to bite if you do.”
Video shows Bruno standing on his hind legs, purring like the furry boss that he is.
View this video on YouTube
Ellison said Bruno has been making big gains (or, rather, losses) with his foster family.
"The foster home understood the importance of Bruno loosing weight if he was going to live to be an old man," she said. "He has been thriving with his foster and has become a much more active cat."
"He is an awesome boy who is going to do great with a family who can shower him with affection and continue his weight loss journey."
Potential adopters can stop by to meet him at the shelter starting this weekend.
