Chronicle of a Four‑Pawed Roommate

By Anick Dupuis

Published on August 25, 2026

Updated on September 1, 2026

Three weeks cohabiting with a two‑year‑old Bengal — half intrepid explorer, half proud scaredy‑cat. The account of a very unproductive feline internship.

For three weeks now, I've been sharing my apartment with Tigrou, a Bengal cat who considers me his favourite guardian. On paper he's a magnificent feline. In practice he's mostly a happy mix of curious and skittish: he wants to inspect everything, as long as he can bolt the next second.

Quick heads‑up: what follows isn't an expert guide. It's the logbook of living with a roommate who doesn't pay rent and quietly judges my life choices.

Curious and skittish, all in one body

Let's sum up the character: curious like a cat who's never seen anything in his life, and skittish like a cat who's seen too much and didn't like any of it. The rustle of a bag, a draft, my very presence when he forgot I was there: everything is an excuse for a hasty exit, followed by a perfectly dignified return as if nothing had happened.

Tigrou, a spotted Bengal, surveys his surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and wariness

His official observation post

Tigrou's favourite spot: the dining table and the window. Perched on his lookout, he watches the cyclists go by and silently judges the people of Plateau‑Mont‑Royal.

Tigrou settled on the dining table, facing the window

Tigrou at the window, intently watching the street and the passersby of Plateau‑Mont‑Royal

A typical day for a teleworking feline

Tigrou settled near the computer, playing the office colleague

9 a.m.

Clocking in

Tigrou likes to "work" with me at the computer. Well, "work": he plops down on the keyboard, contributes a few random characters, then stares at the screen with a pensive look. Let's be honest, he's not the most productive employee.

Did you know? A cat on the keyboard rarely boosts productivity, but it always lifts the spirits.

Tigrou staring insistently at a water source, refusing his bowl

11 a.m.

Thirst break

After all that effort, sir gets thirsty. And that's when things get complicated: Tigrou never drinks still water. A full bowl? Insulting. He insists on living water, water that moves.

Tigrou drinking directly from the stream of a running faucet

11:05 a.m.

The faucet ritual

The only water worthy of Tigrou is the one that flows from a faucet, no matter which one. Kitchen, bathroom: if it's running, it's acceptable. I've officially become my roommate's on‑call tap water sommelier.

Did you know? A water fountain can in theory replace the on‑demand faucet service.

Expert Advice

Put away the rugs, turn your favourite armchair to face the wall, wear pants… he likes to put his claws into everything you love!
Even if you're only popping to the grocery store, he'll sulk at you for your absence. Think "dog with an attitude" — a cat with a Bengal.
Get used to waking up and seeing a feline rear end as your first sight. It's his politest way of saying good morning.

Did he know he wasn't alone in the world?

Today, a first: Tigrou made a new friend. Small detail: he's never been outside. So the meeting took place through the glass, each in his own world — one safe, the other in his conquered territory.

A 200% indoor cat

Faced with this visitor, Tigrou learned something essential about himself: he's a 200% indoor cat. The wild adventure fantasy lasted exactly as long as it took to glimpse the other cat. Too timid to play explorer, he sensibly chose to stay on the right side of the glass.

Tigrou watching another cat through the window, looking surprised

The true boss of the place

Another revelation of the day: the other cat is the real boss of the alley. And especially of my balcony. Tigrou, meanwhile, is content with the honourable role of privileged spectator.