Published Oct 20, 2026
The Cat Chronicles / Youtube.com
Does your cat have a favorite person? Maybe it’s the family member they spend the most time with, or the one who comes home after work and puts food in their bowl!
Cats choose favorites for any number of reasons, so it can be hard to predict who they’ll become most attached to. In Cooper’s case, he’s definitely chosen his dad, Justin, over his mom, Ashley. He once even refused to hug her, only to turn around and cuddle Dad!
From Street Cat to Housecat
Cooper started off on the streets, so hungry that he was eating dangerous, non-food items like glass. He arrived at the Tampa Bay Humane Society with ulcers in his mouth.
When his mom and dad decided to adopt their first pet together, they visited the shelter and went straight for the kitten room. After playing with a variety of kittens, they chose one to bring home.
They filled out paperwork and went to visit with more cats while they waited for the shelter workers to get back with them. That’s where they saw Cooper, a fluffy orange cat with a huge personality. Ashley says he was flopped on a chair, showing off his belly!
They gave Cooper belly rubs and he walked right into Justin’s lap. That was when they knew he was theirs.
Another couple asked if they could play with him, and Justin told them to feel free, but he was already accounted for!
He wasn’t the tiny kitten they expected, and he had some health problems at first, but now he’s a happy-go-lucky housecat who’s spoiled by both of his parents.
No Hugs for You, Mom!
The Cat Chronicles / Youtube.com
While Cooper has bonded with both of his parents, his dad remains the favorite. It was love at first sight for him and Justin, who has been a cat person all his life.
Cooper has also learned some tricks since moving in with them, and one of those is giving hugs! Once, his mom decided to film a sweet video of him hugging her.
As cats are prone to do, he refused to cooperate once the camera was out! “He was not having it,” Ashley says. “Maybe I didn’t give him enough treats that day.”
She called Justin over to try and Cooper hugged him immediately!
Ashley says that she’s never seen a bond like the two of them have. He waits on Justin’s side of the bed each night so that they can snuggle, follows him into the bathroom, and spends as much time as he can right by his side.
Though he can be bratty, she also can’t imagine life without Cooper. He brings them so much joy and laughter and is the “cherry on top” to their little family!
