Meet George! He’s a stunning 2-year-old bengal cat in Austin, Texas.
George isn’t just handsome; don’t be fooled by his striking good looks.
He’s got it all: beauty, brains, and athleticism!
George’s dad, David, tells us all about his sweet boy in the story below.
Sweet Beginnings
I’ll never forget the day I met George.
He was given to me in the parking lot of a pizza place in Indiana.
It was very cold outside, so I tucked him into my coat and started walking towards my car.
George wasn’t scared at all.
Even though we’d just met, he trusted me and immediately started purring.
I brought him to his new forever home and the rest is history!
Why did you name him George?
For a long time, the only people I knew named George were elderly men at the church I went to.
Then I met a 3-year-old boy named George and thought it was a cute, yet distinguished name for a little man.
I followed suit and named my own little guy George!
Curious George
It’s been two years and George still has the friendly, outgoing personality he had as a kitten.
He’s very curious and wants to investigate anything he can get his paws on.
Bengals are very energetic and adventurous, so I’ve done a lot to make sure George has an active lifestyle.
He has a giant cat wheel (similar to a hamster wheel) where he’ll run marathons.
George is also trained to walk with a leash and harness.
In fact, he barely needed any training at all. He’s a natural!
He was born ready to be an adventure cat.
He likes to join me on walks, whether it be to the park or a brief trip downstairs to greet the front desk staff at my apartment.
Austin is a very dog-friendly city, so it’s common to see dogs at coffee shops and restaurants.
I figured George should join the fun, so now he tags along when I make a coffee run!
George has never met a stranger– he isn’t shy in the slightest.
He welcomes new experiences and takes every opportunity to explore!
He’s very well behaved and enjoys interacting with new people and dogs.
The Best Big Brother
When George isn’t exploring, he likes to curl up in my lap and snuggle.
George is my shadow. Wherever I go, George follows.
In fact, if you walk by him without stopping to say hello, he’ll swat your legs demanding attention.
I adopted another cat, Winston, who George has been an excellent big brother to.
Winston is more timid, so George took Winston under his wing and showed him the ropes.
George, being the selfless and amazing big brother he is, stands back and lets Winston have fun playing with his favorite toys.
They love to get cozy on a soft blanket and sunbathe by the window.
When they’re not snuggling or grooming each other, they’re tumbling around and wrestling.
They say opposites attract, and that’s definitely the case for George and Winston.
They’re very different, but their personalities complement each other well.
Each of their personalities is unique, with their own cute quirks and habits.
They’re like yin and yang.
They balance each other perfectly!
George to The Rescue
George is very perceptive and can tell when I’m feeling stressed.
I adopted George after starting my company, Deal Machine, and George has played a big role in helping me manage my stress.
He’s always there to provide emotional support and has a very calming presence.
He never fails to make me laugh and provides comedic relief when I need it the most.
It’s impossible to feel alone with two rowdy cats tumbling across the room and onto my lap.
The three of us are a family.
We’ve been through a lot together, both good and bad.
I’m not sure what the next chapter of life looks like, but I do know George and Winston will be right by side.
Want a Bengal? Read this first.
George and Winston are a handsome pair of bengals, but did you know you can adopt bengals from rescue groups?
Here at National Kitty, we’re strong advocates of rescue cat adoption.
Though we share compelling stories about cats of all breeds and backgrounds, it’s important to remember the millions of shelter cats waiting for their forever homes.
If you’re considering adopting a particular breed of cat, please avoid breeders and check with local rescues instead.
There are an abundance of purebred cats surrendered to animal shelters and rescue groups who need loving forever families.
In fact, there are rescue organizations who focus on rescuing and adopting out specific cat breeds!
Simply do a quick Google search with your location, your desired cat breed, along with the word “rescue”.
For example, Texas Bengal Rescue has bengal cats available for adoption in several different states.
Instead of shaming existing exotic cat owners, it’s far more productive to encourage potential cat owners to explore breed-specific rescue options.
Promoting animal welfare through anger and hostility is a dead end.
You’ll have more success being kind and informative.
The best way to incite change is to recruit, not repel!
Graciela Sanders
Thursday 22nd of December 2022
This is extraordinar; this gentleman is one of a kind; thanks so much for rescuing George and winston; you really are the perfect family!! I love the story!!
Teri Chamberlain
Wednesday 21st of December 2022
I swear my Tabby is part Bengal or other Asian cat. He's an indoor outdoor cat, but I've been rethinking that decision. To be indoors only, he'll need a companion & playmate! He is very energetic & needs alot of attention!
Tammy
Thursday 17th of November 2022
I live in SC and one of my oldest friends, my son was in little league football with her two sons many years ago and we stayed friends all these years. She and her husband decided to try their hand at breeding Bengals and Sphinx. I used to Foster some of her kittens when she had one or more that weren't thriving. I even fostered a couple of them that had a Sevier birth defect, Flat Chested Kitten Syndrome. It isn't hereditary, it's just something that happens sometimes. Most times it's so bad that the kitten won't survive. But I would take them anyway, just so they can pass feeling love and comfort. Well, several years ago, she and her husband moved to Tennessee so I couldn't foster for her anymore. Well, she had a litter of Bengals, they stopped breeding the Sphinx because they were extremely fragile, and at least one kitten wouldn't make it, so they now just focus on Bengals. The litter she had had one kitten that had that same birth defect and she offered him to me. I told her yes, I'd take him since he wasn't thriving. He couldn't fight for his place at mommas tit. So he was loosing weight and he had given up. I went to Tennessee and got him. Even if he wasn't going to live, I wanted him to feel the love that all domestic animals should feel. This tiny kitten looked at me and I feel deeply in love with this baby. My friend was sure that he wouldn't survive and it definitely was a fight, he almost died 3 times within the first 3 months of having him. But I was determined not to give up on him. Well, Archer is now 6 years old and wayyyyy out of danger. He still has some residual affects but nothing life threatening. My friend came here in September because she enters her household Bengals in cat shows. It was the first time she's seen the scrawny little skin and bones kitten and she started to cry. She said that she was sooooo happy that I took him and that he is thriving to the point that his birth defect is almost undetectable. She's been trying to get me and my son and the cats too, move to Tennessee. She's got the cat show and breeders wanting me to foster for them. You would think she has them believing i preform miracles. But my success rate is only because I don't work and I can devote the time needed to hand raise these kittens. I can't take anymore kitties in as their forever family. I already have 2 more than my original 2 i started with. They were my apartment complexes community cats. Lady came to me almost 3 years ago by me putting out fresh water and some dry food so she wouldn't eat nasty dumpster trash and drinking nasty, dirty parking lot puddle water. And about 2 months ago a very young, approx. 6 mo old kitten showed up here and never left. My son named this little dude Lenny. I have an appointment set for him to see a vet so I can get him some shots and a clean bill of health as well as having him neutered. My other crew are already fixed. I fully agree with getting your domestic cat or dog spayed and/or neutered so we don't have kittens and puppies waiting for someone to care enough to give them their forever home or be put to death.
H
Monday 31st of October 2022
Important question - is David single? ;)
Shadi
Sunday 25th of December 2022
Yes he is ;)
Nina Armstrong
Monday 31st of October 2022
Agree 100% about adopting vs buying from breeder or pet store..look up rescue of golden retrievers being sent to China for food. See pictures of various dogs crammed into crates, recognize the pure breds that are "over stock". Last cat we had was a beautiful Maine Coon that showed up in back yard, vet said about 6 months old, not neutered but declawed, obviously going to be used for breeding. He is a beautiful addition to our family...and a great little brother to Barry, who was adopted from a rescue years before. They are from different backgrounds but same on the inside, ha all the traits we love in cats.