Meet Ayame
How Ayame Came Into My Life
In August of 2024, a close friend of mine told me she wasn't able to care for her cat for the time being and asked if I would watch over her while she got things figured out. I agreed, thinking it would only be temporary.
Before coming to stay with me, Ayame had been living in a house with two dogs, so when I first met her she mostly kept to herself and was very distant. I already knew what to expect — a quiet cat that preferred observing everything from afar.
Earning Her Trust
I used to have a large black headboard on my bed, and every night Ayame would climb up to the top of it and sit there staring down at me.
The first few nights she stayed all the way at the edge, but over the next several days she slowly started moving closer and closer toward the middle, almost like she was building up the courage to trust me.
About two weeks in, she finally climbed down, walked up to me, sniffed me for a moment, and then started making biscuits on me while purring louder than I had ever heard before.
After that it quickly became a regular occurrence, and our attachment developed fast. Before long we had formed an unbreakable bond.
Eventually I asked my friend if I could take full ownership of Ayame, and we both knew at that point that her being with me was the best situation for her.
Life With Ayame
Now whenever I come home she's waiting for me and meowing like she's asking, "Where have you been?"
If I'm in the office she's in the office begging me to stop working.
If I'm in the kitchen she's in the kitchen sniffing around for crumbs.
If I'm in the living room she's rolling around on the carpet keeping me company.
Even if I'm in the shower she's sitting on the ledge waiting for me to get out. Every now and then she will try to lick the water. :)
And if I'm in bed, she's curled up right next to me as her sweet green eyes slowly start to close.
Why I Started the Store
Ayame Is Home began with a simple moment, looking at my cat Ayame and realizing how much she truly means to me.
Like many cat owners, I have a busy life. Sometimes I catch myself feeling a little guilty when I have to leave the house for work, errands, or everyday responsibilities. But truly no matter how busy life gets, my sweet Ayame is always there to remind me of something important: our cats rely on us far more than we sometimes ever realize.
People often say cats are extremely independent, that they prefer to be alone and can easily entertain themselves. While cats certainly have their independent moments, anyone who truly loves a cat knows that isn't the whole story.
Ayame has times when she wants her own space, but she also has moments where all she wants is to curl up close, sit on top of me, snuggle under the covers — she even does the thing where I almost trip and fall because she's constantly walking under me. In those moments, it reminds me of how much love and trust our pets place in us. To her, I'm not just her owner, I'm her whole entire world.
That realization is what inspired Ayame Is Home. This brand was created to help cat owners provide the toys, comfort, and enrichment their cats deserve, especially when life gets busy. Because even though cats may seem independent, they still rely on us for love, stimulation and a home where they feel happy.