How One Shelter Cat Found His Person and Made Art Along the Way

When Rhea Montavon walked through the shelter doors, she thought she was the one making a choice.

But in reality, it was a soft gray cat named Gibby who had already decided.

The moment their eyes met, his little paws stretched out as if to say, “You’re mine.” Rhea felt an instant pull, the kind of certainty that doesn’t happen often in life. She knew she couldn’t leave without him.

A Cat Who Knew Exactly Where He Belonged

From that day forward, Gibby became more than just a pet. He became her shadow, her mischievous companion, and her daily dose of joy.

Wherever she went, he followed with a curious gaze, determined to be part of every moment. His playful antics quickly filled the house with laughter, even during the most ordinary tasks.

Rhea soon realized that having Gibby meant there would never be a dull moment again.

Like many cats, Gibby never misses an opportunity to investigate something new.

When Rhea worked from home, her printer was one of his favorite attractions. Every sheet of paper that slid out became a toy in his eyes, fluttering to the floor just so he could pounce on it.

Rhea often paused her work just to laugh at his determination to “help.”

Gibby’s Curiosity Meets Modern Technology

Recently, Rhea upgraded her old printer to a newer model that came with a built-in copier. To Gibby, this wasn’t just an office tool — it was a brand-new adventure.

As soon as Rhea set it up, he trotted over, tail flicking with excitement. When she lifted the lid, he hopped up and sprawled across the glass as though it were made especially for him.

Watching him claim the machine as his own, Rhea couldn’t resist the idea that was forming in her mind.

She decided to let the copier run with Gibby lounging comfortably on top. To her surprise, he didn’t flinch or fuss.

Instead, he leaned in, wide-eyed, as if he wanted to see what the contraption was doing. Rhea stroked his fur gently, reassuring him while the bright light passed beneath his paws.

Not only was Gibby completely calm — he looked almost proud, like an artist watching his masterpiece come to life.

Turning a Cat’s Paws Into Art

When the paper slid out, Rhea lifted it carefully, curious about how the “portrait” would look. What she saw made her laugh out loud.

There on the page were the soft outlines of Gibby’s paws, looking almost as if they were floating on their own.

The image was strange, funny, and unexpectedly endearing all at once.

To Rhea, though, it wasn’t just a quirky copy. It was a small piece of art that perfectly captured Gibby’s spirit — playful, curious, and always present in her world.

She framed the print and hung it on the wall, proudly displaying the artwork they had created together.

Every time she passes by, she can’t help but smile at the memory of that day.

Of course, Gibby wasn’t done experimenting.

Rhea tried a second scan, and soon realized her ink levels had dropped dramatically. In just two playful attempts, nearly three-quarters of the black cartridge was gone.

She couldn’t help but laugh at the price of their “collaboration,” joking that Gibby might need to slow down his career as an artist.

Even so, she wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.

The cat who chose her at the shelter has continued to leave his mark in ways big and small — from pawprints on paper to pawprints on her heart.

And Rhea knows that every little adventure they share only deepens the bond that started the moment Gibby decided she was his.