International Cat Day: Stories from the Globe Community
- lifeatglobe
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
This International Cat Day, get to know 4 of our Ka-Globe cat parents and their beloved fur babies—each with a heartwarming story of joy, healing, and the kind of companionship only a cat can give.
Marie Lupoy (Social Media Strategy and Campaign Manager, Office of Strategy Management & Customer Experience)
Coco came into my life on an ordinary Sunday in 2013, but nothing about that day felt ordinary. It was like the universe, in all its quiet magic, conspired to bring us together. I had never had a pet before, never even considered it seriously—but there was something about Coco that made me want to ask my parents if I could keep him. He was a rescue cat, but from the moment we met, I felt like I was the one being saved.
Here are some of Coco's selfies :3
Coco was there during some of the most important years of my young adult life. Quietly beside me through the highs and lows, purring in the background as I figured out who I was. I often say Coco was my soulmate; we shared a rare, soul-deep connection that needed no words. He taught me that I was capable of so much love—the kind that surprises you and the kind that changes you.
We only had four years together, but it felt like a lifetime and a blink all at once. When he left, it shattered something in me. I don’t think I’ve ever really been the same since. He took a piece of my heart with him, and no amount of time can fill that space.
“Grief doesn’t always get smaller; sometimes, you just learn how to carry it better.”
For a long time, I didn’t think I could open my heart again to another pet. The pain of losing Coco was too raw, too big. But love has a strange way of growing even when you think it’s done. My family, who loved him as much as I did, helped me channel that heartbreak into something meaningful. We started feeding stray cats around our village. We even began sponsoring TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) efforts to help give other cats a better life—something Coco would have loved.
In time, we adopted five more rescue cats—Beep, Ginger, Yellie, Daisy, and Bowie. Each one of them carries a little spark of Coco in their own unique way. Sometimes in the way they stare, or curl up beside me, or nudge their head against my hand just when I need comfort. They don’t replace him—they never could—but they remind me that love, once awakened, doesn’t go away. It finds new forms, new faces, new purrs.
From top left to bottom right: Yellie, Daisy, Ginger, Beep, and Bowie
Coco may no longer be physically with me, but his memory lives on in every act of love we give to the cats we now care for. He made me a better person. More patient, more gentle, more open. And for that, I will always be grateful.
I’ll carry him with me forever. My first cat. My soulmate. My Coco.
Kurt Benzon (Service Operations Expert, Network Technical Group)
It all began during the pandemic. Going out was prohibited, and the people I could be with were limited—so I decided to adopt Asher.
Play time! Bed Time!
At first, I was just looking for someone to keep me company and play with after work. But over time, our love and bond deepened. I didn’t realize that Asher was actually helping maintain my mental health during the pandemic days.
Now, she's more than just a pet; she's a child, a close friend, an enemy, and above all, a savior.
Mavic Calayo (Employee Engagement Manager, Office of Strategy Management and Customer Experience
Yoongi celebrating his 5th birthday with all his swag! 🙂 Busy as a bee? Busy being the cutest kitty!
Meet our 5-year-old Siamese fur baby, Ming Yoongi. He’s turning 6 on October 13 – the same day as Jimin’s birthday! If you’re a BTS fan, you probably know where his name comes from.
Just like BTS’s SUGA (Real Name: Min Yoongi), our Yoongi is chill, a little savage, and loves to nap. Fans often call SUGA the “cat” of BTS, so naming our cat after him just made sense.
Ming Yoongi came into our lives right as the pandemic began. He was gifted to us by our fellow Ka-Globe, Sir Jerome Echevarria, right before we shifted to working from home.
“Yoongi was heaven-sent, bringing us comfort, laughter, and joy when the world felt uncertain.”
Yoongi has had his share of challenges—UTIs, calici, and the stress of being a pandemic pet. But like his namesake, he always bounces back. He may act aloof, but he’s incredibly lambing when he wants to be. He prefers boxes over toys, adores chin rubs and butt pats, as well as bedtime cuddles. He’s incredibly patient with people, and undeniably spoiled. Too spoiled that he has his own IG and FB accounts, @mingyoongi13 and Ming Yoongi: Swag Kitty, respectively. (You may follow his adventures there. 😀)
Thou shall not disturb the sleeping baby! What cat toy? I’m loving the box! 🙂
Adopting him was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Thank you, Sir Jerome, for bringing him into our lives.
And just like BTS, Yoongi seems to embody all seven members: smart like RM, photogenic like Jin, filled with energy like J-Hope, sweet like Jimin, stylish like V, fearless like Jungkook, and quietly loving like Yoongi.
So yes, this meowmy is an ARMY. And just like BTS, he brings light, happiness, and a whole lot of joy into our lives.
Paul Constantino (Workplace Experience Manager, Human Resources Group)
Forget the jarring beep of an alarm clock. My mornings begin with a far more charming, albeit insistent, wake-up call from two furry supervisors: Toshi and Kanna.
Toshi: “I wanna go home hooman!” Kanna’s gotcha day!
Every morning for them starts with an attempt to get me out of bed. Kanna, my nine-month-old Scottish Straight, begins with a gentle head boop. If that doesn’t work, Toshi, my four-year-old Ragdoll, follows up with low, rumbling meows that I can’t ignore.
Once I'm finally up, the usual morning antics start. You’ll find Toshi doing what he does best—"the sploot”. He’ll lay on his back with all his paws stretched out to relax. But this peace is always short-lived, thanks to Kanna.
Chillin’ while waiting for dinner #splootislife
Kanna is the little troublemaker of the house. For fun, she loves to tease Toshi. She'll sneak up on him and gently poke his ears or swat at his tail, just to get a reaction.
But here's the best part: no matter how much they annoy each other, their day always ends with them curled up and sleeping peacefully side by side. Toshi has a special rule: no food until he gets his cuddles. So right before dinner, the teasing stops, and Kanna turns into the sweetest cat, letting Toshi hold her close.
It's a daily cycle of chaos and affection where I always look forward to going home and showering them with hugs and kisses. If you’d like to see more of Toshi and Kanna, feel free to follow them on instagram at @toshi._.kanna.
Do you have a cat story of your own? We’d love to hear it!
Drop a photo of your furry friend in the comments and tell us a little something about them. Today, let’s give a little extra love to the cats who’ve brought our lives so much joy!
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