AUBURN — Some cats meow or purr to make a point.

Latte blogs.

Answers email.

And has started his own Facebook page.

“None of the humans wanted to do it,” said Catherine Sanders, veterinarian at Taylor Brook Animal Hospital, where Latte lives, works and blogs. “Latte wanted to do it.”

The blue-eyed, brown-and-white cat showed up at the vet’s office about two-and-a-half years ago. He was skinny and unhappy then, a stray found by one of Taylor Brook’s regular clients, who paid for his medical care but couldn’t take him home because of her own cats.   

“I get feelings about animals and I thought that he would fit in here,” Sanders said. “And he needed a home.”

So he stayed.

“Latte walked in here like he owned the place from day one,” Sanders said.

With regular meals, dental care and attention, Latte — estimated to be about 11 or 12 years old — grew to a strapping 17 pounds. He took to lounging across the reception desk, where he could bask in the adoration of visiting humans.

“He’s such a people person,” said vet tech Courtney Johnson. “Well, a people cat.”

Little has fazed Latte in his two-and-a-half years at the vet’s office. He’s willingly posed for photos wearing a surgical cap or a little business tie. He’s slept through the commotion of an emergency and barely acknowledged the dogs who came through, even when they barked and howled at him. 

A few months ago, staff decided a blog would add to Taylor Brook’s website. But who would do it?

“Latte wanted to tell the world how we’re different, what sets us apart as a veterinary hospital and things that we feel strongly about,” Sanders said. “And he’s psyched that he got a second chance.”

With help from office manager Shannon Dalton, Latte has posted three blog entries. Two others will be up soon.

His blog tackles common cat illnesses, services offered by the vet practice and tips for humans who love cats.

“Some cats are not as brave as I am, and they are afraid when they get stuffed in that little box to come over here,” Latte said in a post about veterinary house calls.

One upcoming entry will look at the dreaded world “out back,” when a vet takes an animal out of the exam room for blood work, surgery or tests. 

“Clients have this perception of, ‘Oh god, they’re taking my dog out back,'” Dalton said. “He’s the eyes and the ears of ‘out back.’ From the cat’s perspective, this is what happens when you go out back.”

Each post is accompanied by a photo of Latte (he’s usually staring intently into the camera). He signed his most recent published post with “purrrr.”

Latte also has his own Facebook page — where he’s listed as “self-employed.” It’s a bit thin on content, but it offers photos of Latte and notes his “likes,” including other veterinary clinics, pet rescue groups and the Maine Wildlife Park. He also has his own hashtag on Instagram: #lattetaylorbrook.

And he has his email address — latte@taylorbroookanimalhospital.com — that he uses to answer cat questions and talk with fans he’s gained online or on trips into the community as cat ambassador.

“(The email) comes to me,” Dalton said. “I read them to him.” 

Latte isn’t the first office cat Taylor Brook has ever had. Over the years, Echo, Fancy, Shadow and Molly have all stayed for a while before moving on to new homes. Latte currently shares the office with Lilly, a shy cat who prefers to stick to a quiet space in a private part of the building, leaving Latte to meet and greet people, both at the reception desk and online. 

While Taylor Brook has allowed its other office cats to be adopted over the years, that’s not the plan for Latte.

“Latte’s not looking for a home,” Sanders said.

“He is home,” Dalton said.

Have an idea for Animal Tales? Call Lindsay Tice at 689-2854 or email her at ltice@sunjournal.com.

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