Stray Cat Becomes ‘Part of the Staff’ After Visiting Italian Restaurant
When a stray cat shows up outside a restaurant, most people expect it to move along. At Gambill’s Pastaria in Tulsa, something different happened. A small orange cat kept returning and acted less like a stray and more like he belonged. Staff noticed, and so did customers.
The restaurant didn’t plan to adopt a cat, but the cat seemed to have other plans. His arrival sparked a local conversation about animal safety, adoption, and how some pets choose their owners before they’re selected. This is how a stray turned into something more permanent.
He Waited at the Front Door Like He Had a Reason to Be There
Credit: Instagram
When Sarah pulled up to Gambill’s Pastaria that morning, she spotted a small orange cat sitting by the front door. He didn’t seem lost or nervous. If anything, he looked like he had clocked in early and was waiting for the rest of the crew.
The Cat Was Friendly, Confident, and Not Shy About It
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Sarah approached cautiously, expecting him to dart away, but the cat didn’t flinch. He walked up with ease, clearly used to being around humans. Hunter, the owner, didn’t mind the cat’s presence and felt he was just “super friendly.”
He Got a Name Before He Even Got Inside
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Naming him “Cheeto” was almost instant. His color made it obvious, but his personality sealed it. It wasn’t long before another nickname, “Garfield,” started floating around, probably helped by the fact that he’d chosen a pasta place as his hangout spot.
Customers Started Getting Attached, Too
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Cheeto wasn’t content to stay out of sight. He’d curl up near guests dining on the patio, occasionally photobombing their pictures. The staff joked that he believed he was part of the team. After a while, it didn’t feel like much of a joke.
The Street Outside Made People Uneasy
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As sweet as it was to have Cheeto around, Gambill’s is situated close to a busy road. Local animal rescuer Emily Shelton Gamel saw a photo of the cat on social media. Her first thought wasn’t about how cute he was, but about whether he was safe.
Rescuers Looked for His Past Before Planning His Future
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Emily and her husband, Terry, checked lost pet groups and posted his photo in multiple places. No one came forward. At that point, it became clear that Cheeto wasn’t visiting a second home. He was looking for a first one.
A Couple Nearby Had Been Waiting for a Cat Like Him
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George and Derek had been looking for a low-key companion to keep their current cat, Qai, company. Once they heard about Cheeto, they knew he might be the one. Cheeto was indeed a rare mix and hard to skip on.
He and His New Feline Roommate Clicked Immediately
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Bringing two adult cats together can be a gamble, but this wasn’t one of those stories. Cheeto and Qai clicked without any drama. “He’s super chill,” Derek said. That helped everything feel easy from the first day.
The Cuddles Haven’t Stopped Since He Moved In
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Now settled, Cheeto is fully living the home life. He stretches out on couches, soaks up attention, and lounges beside Qai like they’ve known each other forever.
He May Have Started as a Stray, but He Acted Like Family
Credit: Facebook
Cheeto didn’t act like a stray waiting for permission. He walked in, behaved as he belonged, and eventually proved he did. It didn’t matter to him if it was a restaurant patio or a living room rug. He moved in like it was always meant to be his place.