Meet Reuben The Patio Gato
Every Sunday we introduce you to people in our community who are making a difference. This week we invite you to meet a cat who is bringing joy to those in the know on social media.
The people who make Palm Springs like no place else
If you don’t recognize Reuben, it may only be because you haven’t been paying attention. He’s no ordinary housecat. Rather, he’s a bit of a local celebrity, entertaining the Palm Springs Neighborhood Group members on Facebook with monthly tales of his life of leisure in Palm Springs, posted by his human mom, Astrid Ryterband. Reuben hasn’t let his celebrity status go to his head, though. “Just living my golden years in my backyard, trying to block the problems beyond our walls,” he told his admirers recently. Get to know Reuben below.
AGE: 15
OCCUPATION: Feline Companion
WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU LIVE IN? Racquet Club Estates
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE DESERT? 15 years
WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE? Animal Samaritans
WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE? My mama and my home.
DO YOU HAVE FAMILY HERE? Yes, my mama and my sister.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IN THE DESERT? October, because the weather is perfect and there’s little to no wind.
HOW DO YOU BEAT THE HEAT? I stay in air conditioning, and my mama rubs a wet, damp cloth on my hot, orange fur.
DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY BY WHICH YOU LIVE? Be gentle to all souls, including humans, mice, birds, lizards, and cicadas.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT? I like to jump atop our kitchen counter. The daily jumps keep me fit.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING OUR COMMUNITY? Wild animals are roaming our streets at night, such as coyotes and cougars. There are even huge owls searching for a special kitty treat, and if a cat isn’t paying attention, he will get snatched, lifted, and disappear. Meowww … Hasta la vista in heaven!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO OR PLACE TO GO IN THE DESERT? I love to lie down on our patio table and get a full view of the jungle and the mountains.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE ABOUT PALM SPRINGS THAT THEY MIGHT NOT ALREADY KNOW? People here are just like anywhere else: some are nice, while others aren’t.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Cool, fresh tap water and organic turkey slices in small bites.
Think you’d like a “patio gato” like Reuben in your life? Learn about all the animal companions available through Animal Samaritans at https://animalsamaritans.org/adopt/
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