PhD in Computational Neuroscience. alumni University of Oxford, current postdoc @ University College London. Neuroscience, statistics, network modelling
My boyfriend made this little arched doorway in the wall for my cat so she could move freely between the living room and bedroom without us having to leave doors open all the time.
I came home from work three days ago and he's standing there grinning like he just built the Sistine Chapel, pointing at the baseboard. "Look what I made."
There's a perfect little archway cut into the wall. Wood frame, smooth edges, brass hardware holding it in place like a tiny magical portal. He measured her, researched cat door heights, watched YouTube videos on how to cut drywall without destroying the whole wall.
Spent two weekends building this because he noticed she'd sit by the bedroom door and meow when it was closed, wanting to be wherever we weren't.
I stood there staring at this thing trying not to cry because who does that? Who spends their Saturday cutting a cat-sized archway into someone else's rental apartment wall because a cat seemed mildly inconvenienced?
He said he found the design idea on Tedooo app in a home improvement group, saw someone else did it for their dog. Ordered the brass corner pieces from a woodworker on Tedooo who makes custom pet furniture. Even sanded and stained the wood to match our floors.
My girl walked through it immediately, stopped in the middle, and looked back at him like "finally, someone gets it."
Now she uses it approximately seventy times a day. Back and forth. Living room to bedroom. Bedroom to living room. Just because she can.
I posted this photo in the pet community on Tedooo where I sell handmade cat toys and collars. People lost their minds. Someone asked if my boyfriend takes commissions.
Best photo ever of my girl. But really it's the best photo of what love looks like when someone pays attention to the small things that matter to you.
Even if it's a cat. And a doorway. And a weekend project that didn't need to happen but did anyway.