Late one night, as the glow of her laptop lit up the quiet room, Francisca Franken scrolled through her local shelter’s website.
She wasn’t expecting anything special, just looking at adoptable cats the way many animal lovers do. But then, one photo stopped her cold.
On the screen was a cat whose appearance was unforgettable — a flat little face, large round eyes, and an expression that seemed to hold both sass and sadness.
A Face That Stole a Heart
Instead of moving on, Francisca stared. Something about this cat felt magnetic. “I couldn’t look away,” she later shared.
The combination of humor and tenderness in the cat’s face made her laugh, but it also pulled at her heart in a way she didn’t expect. Within minutes, she sent in an application.
That night, she couldn’t sleep.
Her mind kept circling back to the image of the cat, wondering if she might have a chance. When the phone finally rang, the shelter staff seemed surprised.
The cat, named Bean, had been overlooked for months.
No one had shown interest, and the workers even wondered if Francisca had applied by mistake. But to her, it wasn’t a mistake at all. It was destiny.
Meeting Bean for the First Time
Bean’s life before rescue had been anything but kind.
She had roamed a trailer park alone, sick and unprotected. By the time she arrived at the shelter, she was battling an eye infection, worn down by neglect.
Her odd looks and fragile state kept most visitors at a distance. Some even dismissed her as “ugly.”
But for Francisca, she was perfect.
Walking into Bean’s room for the first time, Francisca was overcome with emotion.
There was the tiny cat in the flesh — so much smaller than she had imagined, with short legs, a stubby tail, and a squashed nose that gave her the most unique appearance.
Tears filled her eyes as she realized this was the moment that would change both their lives.
Francisca knew she couldn’t leave without her. That same day, she signed the papers and carried Bean home. From the very beginning, the bond was strong.
Bean clung to her, following her around the apartment, curling into her lap, and purring against her chest.
It was as if she wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be left behind again.
As the days passed, Bean grew confident.
She began to reveal her quirky side — playful, a little demanding, and always expressive. Francisca loved watching her true colors shine.
What others had dismissed as flaws became traits that made her unforgettable. Bean wasn’t just a rescue cat anymore; she was family.
Life Together, With Love and Olives
These days, Francisca and Bean are inseparable. The little cat curls up beside her every night, making sure she is always close.
Whether Francisca is working at her desk, cooking in the kitchen, or resting on the couch, Bean finds her way to the same room.
That constant presence has become a source of comfort.
Beyond her love for companionship, Bean has one obsession that makes her truly unique: olives.
The first time she saw one, she snatched it right out of Francisca’s hand, darting under the couch to eat it like a prized treasure.
Since then, the sight or smell of olives drives her wild. Experts explain that olives contain compounds similar to catnip, which may explain her strange fascination.
Now, whenever the fridge opens and a jar of olives appears, Bean lets out dramatic cries until she gets a taste.
Francisca happily indulges her in moderation, seeing it as a small way to return the joy this little cat has given her.
What started as a funny quirk has become one of their sweetest rituals.
Francisca often reflects on how much her life has changed since that late night at the shelter.
Bean is more than a pet — she is a companion who has carried her through difficult times with quiet comfort and love.
“She may not be a certified emotional support animal,” Francisca admits, “but she has supported me in more ways than I can explain.”
For Bean, the days of sickness and loneliness are long behind her. She now has a warm bed, endless affection, and a mom who sees her beauty inside and out.
For Francisca, every glance at her little cat is a reminder that love can be found in the most unexpected places — sometimes in the face of a cat no one else wanted.
Together, they are proof that the right connection can change two lives forever.