Located in Shiga-ken’s Omihachiman’s old town district, there lives a cat who gets famous because of his way of saying thanks to the human who adopts him. This approximately 1 year old cat is named “Rabu” (らぶ), or “Love” in japanese and he lives with the owner of Cafe Nonno (町家 Cafe NONNO / カフェ ノンノ).
Love the cat loves to sit and guard in front of Cafe Nonno during opening hours.
The reason behind his rise of fame is because he voluntarily becomes the protector of Cafe Nonno and resembles a maneki neko.
If a cat is willing to stay in front of a cafe, that cafe is definitely extra attractive.
Love was adopted by Cafe Nonno’s owner. According to the owner, Love was found as a lost cat in front of a nearby museum. The owner took the cat home and gave him a temporary name called Rabu/Love because of a heart shaped pattern on his nose.
The heart shaped nose is not obvious but once you saw it, it is tough to miss.
While the owner waits for Love’s possible former owner to claim the cat, he brings Love to work and back on daily basis. The owner noticed that Love enjoys observing customers and pedestrians by sitting outside the cafe, as if Love is guarding the cafe.
Are you staring at my nose?
Love gained a lot of attention from customers and passerby. Everyone praises Love being cute and loyal. Love’s adorable behaviour makes human enjoy snapping picture of Love in front of the cafe and then tweet or post to social networking sites.
A napping cat guarding a cafe? It's photo shooting time.
Nobody claims Love back. Cafe Nonno’s owner decided to make Love as the official resident of his house and also the guardian of the Cafe. Cardboard stations, food and drinks, pillows and cat friendly items have been set up in storefront to keep Love comfortable.
Love's cardboard station with a notice declaring Love as official staff of Cafe Nonno.
Love's station is quite spacious. On top of that, it is made of CARDBOARD BOXES!
"Go on, you tip tip I nap nap." Love as a successful maneki neko when not guarding.
The story of Love guarding the cafe owner as a symbol of gratitude is quite well known now.
Some may think that the owner might be forcing the cat to stay outside of the cafe, but the truth is Love is volunteering to stay there. This is because the owner also owns other cats but only Love is interested in being the guardian.
Even though he likes to protect his owner and the cafe, he is still a prince at home.
The owner also added that Love loves to butt-in in between the owner and costumers, trying to join in the human conversations, and also snatching attention when the owner is socializing with his other cats.
The nyanko home team of cats featuring Love and his housemates.
To know more about Love and Cafe Nonno, visit their blog here.