The most spontaneous decisions can lead to bringing a college household together.
The moment global studies senior Nicole Albillar saw her sister advertising a kitten on social media, she knew Lil’ Homie was meant for them.
Albillar was on social media when she saw her sister’s post about a kitten she found outside her work in Fresno.
After a long day of school, international business senior Valerye Avalos, who is also Albillar’s roommate, hopped in her car, sat through 4 p.m. traffic and drove to Fresno in pursuit of her new kitten.
Albillar said she and her roommates are now responsible for the kitten’s life. Rather than coming home and sitting on their phones like they normally would, they now have to take care of their kitten and its needs.
However, despite the workload of watching over a new animal, she explained that owning the kitten is a reward in itself.
“Honestly, it just makes you happy. You come in feeling down and then you see Lil’ Homie and you start playing with him,” Albillar said.
She also said she thinks that the kitten helps her emotionally.
“The other day I was sad and he came and sat on my lap and we fell asleep and he was just there,” Albillar said.
Albillar said Lil’ Homie is able to help people cope through those who are feeling down in the household.
Lil’ Homie will go toward whoever is feeling down that day and try his best to make sure to provide comfort to the person who is not feeling their best that day, Albillar said.
Albillar and Avalos said they believe that having a cat isn’t for everyone.
“If you’re going to have a cat and leave them in the room, and not take care of them or play with them then don’t get one. But if you have everyone on board to help and is willing to play with him then it’s okay,” Albillar said.
Lil’ Homie has also been able to grow an attachment towards Albillar and her roommates. Every time he is left alone, Albillar said he will begin to cry and feel sad.
The 7-week-old kitten enjoys playing and enjoys resting with one of the four roommates.
Avalos said Lil’ Homie can only eat with someone around to watch him.
“In the mornings I will wait with him for a couple of minutes and make sure he eats his food. Then I have to do that again during lunch, and then do it again during dinner. So it’s very time-consuming,” Avalos said.
“I feel like you need to know what you’re doing.” Avalos said.
Avalos said there’s a lot of cuddling involved throughout the day for Lil’ Homie and herself.
She also said that when Lil’ Homie first came into the home, he caused a lot of conflict for the roommates.
“One of our roommates wasn’t too on board on it at first, until she met him and started bonding with him,” Avalos said.
Albillar said Lil’ Homie has been able to bring all the housemates to sit down and play with him together as a group.
“He has a favorite video and it was nice. We were all able to catch up together while we watched him pay close attention to the video,” Avalos said.
Avalos said caring for him is like raising a baby.
“I think he does a good job of bringing us together and he’s become our baby to all of us,” Avalos said.
