Ceren Kiran Tatli and her husband, passionate animal advocates, dedicate their time to caring for stray cats in their Turkish neighborhood.
As they look for forever homes for these felines, they are always on the alert for cats in need. Early in 2022, during one of their usual walks, they noticed a cat they hadn’t seen before. To their dismay, the street cat was both deaf and blind.
“We saw him struggling in the snow, searching for food and trying awkwardly to escape from other cats and cars,” Tatli shared with The Dodo. Despite their best efforts to approach and assist him, the cat skillfully evaded them every time.
Determined to help, Tatli continued her search for the elusive cat. She managed to find him on several occasions, even getting close at times, but his fear always led him to flee.
Then, he vanished completely, leaving Tatli worried about his fate. Months later, he reappeared, but he was in a worse condition.
In April 2022, they found him again, this time with deteriorated health and a broken leg. “How he managed to survive, find food and water, and avoid cars in that bustling area is beyond me,” Tatli remarked.
Once they got him to safety, the couple provided the cat with some food and immediately took him to a veterinarian. They named him Yoda and hoped the vet could aid in his recovery.
Post several visits and an eye surgery, Yoda started to physically recuperate, though the emotional healing took longer.
Despite trusting his rescuers from the outset, Yoda was apprehensive in his new environment. After a life on the streets, he was hesitant to let his guard down.
“Initially, he moved slowly around the house, wary of the other cats attacking out of nowhere,” Tatli explained. The other cats were puzzled by him as well, wondering why he didn’t react like a typical cat.
With time, Obi, one of the couple’s cats, approached Yoda and realized he was not to be feared. Instead, Yoda just couldn’t see or hear. With Obi’s companionship, Yoda began to relax. A year on, he gained confidence and embraced his new surroundings.
Now, Yoda rules the household, bursting with joy as he plays with Obi. They’ve developed a way to communicate; Obi gently taps Yoda to signal playtime, just as Tatli uses touch to announce her presence.
Yoda even taps his mom with his paw whenever he needs something, demonstrating that despite his impairments, he is unstoppable.
“Yoda is fiercely independent and loving,” Tatli shared. “He doesn’t see himself as different from the other cats. His confident personality shows he believes he’s missing nothing, and he does as he pleases.”
Once struggling for survival on the streets, Yoda now thrives in a loving home, moving about without fear, and living the life he deserves.
“The more we know him, the more we appreciate his vibrant, adventurous spirit,” Tatli expressed. “He made us overlook his disabilities and embrace life’s simplicity, teaching us valuable lessons along the way.”
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