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We caught up with Maria to chat all about her little Italian stallion cat Gordon, and what a Saturday morning in Sardinia looks like for them across the pond.
So tell us all about your cat Gordon, we’re already obsessed with his name.
Gordon is a long haired, handsome black and white boy who’s roughly 3 and half years old. We call him Gordito because he’s a big boy and that means chubby in Spanish, but also Patato (potato in Italian) and Cipollino (little onion in Italian). He goes by many names but really is the best boy.
What’s your story, how did Gordito come to be your little onion?
I found him abandoned in a brand new cat carrier left outside of my building block when I came back from a night out. I waited for two hours to see if anyone came looking for him and asked around all my neighbours. When foxes started to circle the carrier I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I took him in. He had no chip and the vet told me he took a beating which is why he never left the carrier (the door was missing so he could have left at any point). I spent weeks looking for a home for him as I was working silly hours in a restaurant, until one day I came home from a horrible day at work, he came straight to greet me and didn’t leave my side for hours. When he attempted to jump on a piece of furniture and failed in the clumsiest way I have ever seen, I knew he was perfect for me and was going nowhere. That was 3 years ago in London and now we’re living together in Italy, he’s loving it. I’m grateful every day for this little fluff, he really saved me. I know it’s incredibly corny and everyone says it but it’s so true!
That is quite the story! We hope you’re no longer having to work silly hours and can fit in a siesta in the sun with Gordon?
No, not any more! Now I run my own company and we take care of the distribution of medical devices for operating rooms. Quite the change, and occasionally I can squeeze in a cat nap.
Have you always been a cat lover, or did Gordon help you see the light?
Absolutely not. I was completely ignorant and thought I was a ‘dog person’. When I met Gordon I realised that there is no such thing as dog or cat people, because cats have so many different personalities that don’t just fit into one little box. Gordon is more like a dog than my actual dog, who behaves more like what a traditional cat would actually!
So, Saturday morning’s in Sardinia, what’s the usual routine?
Definitely no alarm, wake up when I want and then have breakfast with Gordito. This is usually followed by a walk on the beach and some sunbathing whilst reading a book. I tend to go home and make a nice lunch, nap (mandatory in Italy) and then enjoy a good old board game night with friends.
If you had £5 (or euros) to spend on anything over a weekend, what would you buy and why?
I’d actually say a bagel from Brick Lane back in London, because it’s one of the best things in life.
Such a great choice. So other than Saturday breakfast, does Gordon live life to any kind of schedule?
The automatic feeder definitely dictates his day. It’s his only master, he stands in front of it exactly 10 minutes before it calls him (there’s a recorded message with my voice), he knows exactly what time to be waiting.
Last question, now you are an official cat person, what’s the coolest cat person thing you own or have in your house?
My cat carrier! It’s a backpack with an extendable bit to allow the floof to lay down comfortably. It’s soft and can be worn as a backpack so we are both comfy, but if you put it sideways it looks like a regular cat carrier so Gordito has more space to stretch!
