Love Changed Everything for Bulito

Some cats arrive at Dakin ready to greet the world with purrs and curiosity. Others need time, patience, and gentle reassurance before they feel safe enough to let their guard down. Bulito was one of those cats.

When the three-year-old black-and-white stray first arrived at Dakin, he carried more than just significant physical injuries from life outdoors. He also carried fear. His recovery would require extensive medical care, countless hours of support from staff and volunteers, and most importantly, time to learn that people could be trusted.

That trust did not come easily.

Marianne Gambaro, a volunteer with Dakin’s Cat TLC+ program, spent time with Bulito during his recovery. The Cat TLC+ team works one-on-one with cats facing medical or behavioral challenges, helping long-stay residents feel more comfortable and confident through patient interaction and enrichment.

Marianne still remembers their first meeting.

“A couple of volunteers before me got hissed at,” she said. “He didn’t hiss at me, but he hissed at a peacock feather I was holding.”

Fellow Cat TLC+ volunteer Jerry Marchand had a similarly cautious introduction.

“He was hiding under a table with a towel hanging down in front of him,” Jerry recalled. “I lifted the towel slightly and got the biggest hiss. He was very scared, so I just put the towel up where he could see me, and talked softly to him instead.”

Jerry left treats nearby and spent time simply sitting with Bulito, trying to build comfort without pushing too hard. “If I moved closer, I got hissed at,” he said.

But little by little, Bulito began to change.

About a month later, Jerry walked into the room and lifted the towel again. This time, there was no hiss. “I stepped toward him—still no hiss,” Jerry said. “I used a scratcher to gently rub under his chin, and he leaned into it. Then he gave me slow blinks.”

For cat lovers, slow blinks are everything. They are a quiet signal of comfort and trust. That day, Bulito happily gobbled up his treats, and a bond began to form.

As Marianne explained, the Cat TLC+ volunteers carefully watch for every small sign of progress.

“We look for hissing or a swishing tail. Slow blinks are important. That’s how you establish trust with them,” she said. “Our team has both dry and squeeze treats to offer, plus feather and wand toys for cats to play with.”

The Cat TLC+ volunteers also detail remarks about each cat; whether they like certain treats, whether they lean in for petting (or not), if they have a favorite toy, and other behavioral and preference notations. That way all caregivers can get a better glimpse of what each cat likes to provide in each session.

And before long, the frightened stray who once hid behind a towel became an affectionate cuddle bug. Bulito began climbing directly into volunteers’ laps, rubbing his face against theirs, and soaking up every ounce of affection he could get.

“Everyone fell in love with him,” Marianne said with a smile. “He had a big window in his room, and I would try to turn him slightly so he could look outside, but he just wanted to stay in my lap. He loved cuddling.”

Jerry laughed remembering Bulito’s favorite routine. “He’d look you right in the eye, jump into your lap, put his paws around your neck, and nuzzle against your face,” he said. “If I tried putting him down to play, he’d come right back.” The cat who once greeted people with fear was now actively seeking closeness, comfort, and love.

Soon, Bulito’s injuries healed, his confidence blossomed, and he was finally ready for the next chapter of his life. The day after he became available for adoption, Bulito went home with a wonderful family who instantly fell for his affectionate personality.

His journey from frightened stray to beloved family companion is a beautiful reminder of the power of patience, compassion, and connection. Thanks to the dedication of Dakin’s staff, medical team, and Cat TLC+ volunteers, Bulito now knows what every animal deserves to experience: safety, comfort, and the joy of being loved.