The Yes That Changed Everything: Introducing Tutu, the Luckiest Cat in India

Some people spend months preparing for a pet. They buy the "What to Expect" books, browse breeders, or spend weeks visiting shelters to find the perfect temperament.

Our story didn't have a plan. It had a coat, a plate of food, and a split-second decision that defied every logical rule of our nomadic lifestyle.

The Low Point Before the High

To understand why Tutu’s arrival felt so monumental, you have to understand the week we were having. It was the kind of week that tests your resolve. Aditya had been poured out, mentally and physically, dealing with an intense family emergency. Meanwhile, I was just beginning to see the light at the end of a tunnel following a severe allergic reaction that had knocked me sideways.

We were, in a word, depleted.

We decided to go out for dinner simply because we needed a change of scenery. We needed a quiet corner, some good food, and a moment to exist without a "crisis" attached to it. We were looking for a reset; instead, we found a responsibility.

The Encounter: A Coat and a Question

While we sat there, a tiny, scrawny blur darted across the floor. In India, street cats are everywhere, but this kitten was different. He wasn't just passing through; he was looking for someone.

He didn't hesitate. He ran straight to Aditya and, without a shred of shyness, climbed right into Adi’s coat. He tucked himself into the warmth of the fabric as if he’d been living there his whole life.

Aditya looked down at this shivering ball of fur and then looked at me. The question was simple, but the answer was heavy: "Do we keep him? Yes or no?"

The Nomad’s Dilemma

My logical brain immediately started running the numbers. We live a nomadic life. We move across borders, we stay in temporary rentals, and our "office" is wherever there is stable Wi-Fi. A pet—especially a rescue kitten—is the antithesis of a nomad’s freedom.

I thought about the airline regulations, the pet-friendly hotel searches, and the logistics of a litter box in a lifestyle defined by suitcases. But then I looked at this tiny creature who had decided, amidst the chaos of a busy street and our own personal exhaustion, that we were his safe harbor.

When a kitten crawls into your lap and decides you are his person, you don’t say no. You say yes, and you trust that the "how" will figure itself out along the way.

The "Walk-In" Life: Vet Visits in India

The very next morning, the reality of our "yes" set in. We had a street kitten who needed immediate medical attention.

For those used to the American veterinary system, the experience in India is a culture shock in the best way possible. In the US, a "new patient" appointment for a stray could take weeks to secure, involve a mountain of digital forms, and cost a small fortune before the doctor even touches the animal.

Here, it’s a beautifully human process. You don't make an appointment; you simply find the open hours and walk in. You sit on a bench, you chat with other pet owners, and you wait your turn. It’s an extension of the communal way of life here.

The care Tutu received was thorough and professional, and the cost was staggeringly affordable. We were able to get him a full exam, his first round of deworming, and flea treatments for a fraction of what a single consultation fee would be back home. It was efficient, no-nonsense, and incredibly kind.

The Luckiest Cat in India

I look at Tutu now—purring on a soft bed instead of dodging rickshaws—and I realize he is officially the luckiest cat in India. The odds were stacked against him. He was a scrawny stray in a country with millions of them. Yet, he chose the right coat on the right night.

He has no idea that he’s traded a life of scavenging for a life of adventure. He doesn't know that he’s about to become a world traveler, or that his "home" will now be a rotating series of beautiful locations. To him, he just found a warm coat. To us, he’s the newest member of our traveling team.

We aren't just nomads anymore; we are the proud owners of an adventure cat. Tutu, welcome to the journey. We’re still figuring out the logistics, but we’re so glad you’re here.