Nala is my 12 year old tabby cat I rescued while in college. She does not like Raja but will be amicable with her, often sleeping nearby on the bed. Nala doesn’t appear in many videos because she isn’t very camera friendly and definitely finds Raja’s antics a bit much!

Nala is featured at the end of a popular DIY Cat Wall video: Crate For My Cats

From Feral to Family

Nala was born underneath a neighbor’s porch in Cleveland, Ohio and lived with numerous litter-mates. She was presumed to be male and nicknamed Hercules due to her bravery in always being the first to come forward when food was given. When I met her, she had been feral for a number of months and upon bringing home, she notably climbed the shower curtain and spent the night on top of the shower curtain bar. Over the following month, she hid underneath the bathtub and it wasn’t until I fed her from my hand that she began to show signs of trust. It took a long time for her to adjust!

Does Nala go outside?

Nala loves to spend time outside safely in the courtyard or on the deck but is very cautious and will run back inside on a moments notice. I think she’s nervous that she will get locked out. She would never want to go for structured walks like Raja or travel – it would be entirely out of her comfort range. Nala chirps at birds outside, as does Raja.

Nala chirps at a Cardinal outside

Does Nala use the cat wall?

Nala does climb and jump around the cat shelves! She can jump across the doorway and around the carpet wall. She has never climbed the carpet wall or long stairwell cat pole but to my surprise she did climb the original sisal pole in the corner once.

Nala can jump 4 foot (1.2 meter) wide gaps on the cat wall

Nala’s Favorite Toys

She loves to play with strings and bouncy wires but not on the shelves like Raja! She prefers to enjoy the shelves at her leisure and usually at least once a day I’ll see her resting or sleeping on a shelf.

Life Before Raja

Before Raja, Nala grew up with another cat of mine named Kuro who she loved very much however Kuro tragically died in 2020 due to a lung disease. It was awful.

The Loss of Kuro

After Kuro died, I wanted to be more intentional in living with cats and making their lives better. I had always wanted to take my family cat on walks outside when growing up and begged my parents for another cat that would want to be adventurous.

Living with Raja

Fast forward to bringing Raja home for the first time and I instantly knew that Nala wasn’t going to be happy. I tried all I could with introductions but now nearly 5 years later, I know that this is just the way it’s always going to be.

Raja causes a disturbance, jumping over Nala on the cat wall

While awake, Nala is most always right nearby me. I am her world and she is very loved!