When Gandalf was approximately 4 years old, his family decided to give him up since his parents were divorcing and no longer thought they could provide for him. A neighbor who had always desired a cat thought he was the cat for her and adopted him after he was placed with a foster home.
Melissa Losier, Gandalf’s adoptive mother, told The Dodo, “I grieved really for him because just that autumn my own parents had recently split.” Just as much as I needed him, he needed me.
Gandalf loved his mother to pieces ever since he moved into his new house.
“He is a very chill guy and very well-mannered,” Losier said. “He is not a fan of many toys. I’ve bought so many, and not much interest from him.”
Besides following his mom around, Gandalf’s other favorite thing in the world is taking naps — so one day, his mom decided to make him a “toy” that went with the theme of naps.
“I thought of the idea to make a cute little napping area for him,” Losier said. “He likes the cat post and a bed I had purchased and I thought, ‘Why not make a little hideout?!’”
Losier looked out several quite simple DIY cat homes on YouTube, grabbed the paint, cardboard, and other materials she would need, and started building. She finished building the world’s prettiest tiny cat home four hours later, but she wasn’t sure how Gandalf would react.
Gandalf was astounded and overjoyed by his new home when Losier brought it to him after building it up and furnishing it with some cozy blankets. To her astonishment.
“I put a couple treats inside for him to warm up inside his own little mini home,” Losier said. “Sure enough, he loved it and my hard work paid off.”
Now, Gandalf loves spending hours curled up inside his festive little house. It may not be a traditional “toy,” but it’s his favorite place to play and nap and he seems so grateful that his mom took the time to make such a wonderful hideaway for him.
“A simple box may have worked just as well, but why not make it adorable, right? Losier said.
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