Don’t be fooled by the plane ears: Simba is affectionate, just on his own terms.
When Melanie Jones walked into a pet shop in 2008 just to “have a look”, she did not think she would leave with a cat.
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But when Simba, one of 12 ginger kittens, put his little paw up to her hand through the glass, she knew she had to take him home.
Fast forward 16 years, and Simba is still alive and full of character, despite a few setbacks.
“He is definitely the boss,” Ms Jones said.
“[He is] very feisty. He put me in the hospital once.”
Simba was frightened by a dog he had to share a house with during the 2022 floods and bit Ms Jones’ hand almost to the bone when she tried to remove him from the room.
“All is forgiven now,” Ms Jones said.
“Simba is the most affectionate and loving animal I know. He has given us a lot of laughs and shown us a lot of love over the years.”
Full of surprises: Even at 16, Simba likes to play.
Ms Jones recalled her favourite memory of Simba, which happened just a few months after bringing him home.
“I remember my daughter at about two and a half years running past me calling ‘Mummy! Help!’ with Simba close at her heels, trying to attack her ankles. I still don’t know what she did to stir him up.” She said.
Growing up together: Simba and his ‘victim’ eventually made up and are now good friends.
It was earlier this year when Simba suddenly became seriously ill.
A trip to the vet confirmed he had contracted feline immunodeficiency virus (also known as feline AIDS) and was sick due to the cat equivalent of a common cold attacking his weakened immune system.
Cats with FIV can show no symptoms for months or even years, so it often goes unnoticed by owners.
Ms Jones said everything happened suddenly, starting with weird behaviour before quickly worsening into a high temperature and complete loss of appetite.
Simba lost a lot of weight and was severely dehydrated from not eating or drinking. On the vet’s advice, he was scheduled to be put to sleep.
In a last-minute decision, Ms Jones cancelled the appointment.
It was a miracle when Simba pulled through.
“It is hard to watch such a loved pet decline so quickly,” Ms Jones said.
“I would definitely recommend trying to get your cats vaccinated for both FIV and the different strains of cat flu and to keep them inside if possible.
“We are lucky to still have him.”
These days, Simba spends his free time meowing for extra food and attention, lazing in any sunny spot he can find or bothering Ms Jones’ other cat, Coco.
Coco was adopted from Shepparton Animal Rescue and Rehoming last year before Simba got sick.
Their relationship was rocky at first but has mostly smoothed out.
Some days, you can catch the two cats sharing a bed and even snuggling up together.
“They [the two cats] have a sort of master and student relationship,” Ms Jones said.
“Simba is training her to become a miniature version of himself so that his reign of terror over the family will continue even after he is gone.”
Master and apprentice: Simba and his sidekick, Coco, are secretly best friends.
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