Everybody knows as cats and dogs are the most common four-footers as pets, but some people like to have more exotic furry friends in their homes. Just like this couple, for example, Aleksandr and Mariya Dmitriev. These two lovebirds decided to expand their family with none other than a puma, who they now consider to be their large house cat.

The adorable puma, named Messi, has been living with the family in Penza, Russia, since 2016 and has quickly adjusted to a life indoors.

It’s quite unique that a puma has been able to adjust because the exotic felines actually can’t be domesticated according to numerous animal experts. It looks like Messi is definitely the exception that confirms the rule, although it did take a while and it certainly wasn’t easy. Nonetheless, Messi being a ‘large house cat’ certainly isn’t a lie – he listens extremely well to his owners and behaves like a traditional house cat.

Messi was born at the Saransk Zoo in the same city, but it quickly became obvious that he couldn’t stay there.

He was born along with two siblings; the zoo workers named them Suarez and Neymar. Each one of the cubs was named after a soccer legend, but there was something wrong with Messi. He was the smallest of the three, and not by a little, but very significantly.

The four-footer also had underlying health issues, and it simply deemed too dangerous to let him stay at the zoo or even at any other animal sanctuary. Releasing Messi into the wild wasn’t an option either, as the animal species isn’t native to the country of Russia. Besides, the puma was born into captivity and likely wouldn’t make it on his own – even if he didn’t have problems with his health.

With no options left, the zoo workers were planning to put Messi to sleep.

Luckily, Aleksandr and Mariya then intervened at just the right time! The young woman has always had a dream to adopt a larger cat, and when she learned what would happen to Messi, she was absolutely heartbroken. The two met Messi at the zoo, and it didn’t take long before they started to entertain the idea that they could take care of him instead of putting him to sleep.

However, it definitely wasn’t an easy decision for the couple. After all, it’s a pretty big step to adopt a wild animal and keep him in a small apartment. They would also have to provide Messi with constant care and attention given his health issues.

Ultimately, they decided that the animal deserved to live. They spoke to the zoo owners, figured out the paperwork and officially adopted him as their own.

A lot of adjustments were needed in the home to make sure that Messi would be able to live his life as comfortably as possible. For example, the hallway has now been declared Messi’s special place as it’s now equipped with bamboo walls and even a climbing tree.

Even though it certainly wasn’t easy the first few days, Messi now absolutely loves his life at home and couldn’t be more affectionate. He especially adores cuddles and naps with both of his owners, and he’s also a big fan of taking baths! His favorite toy, a stuffed lobster, goes with him everywhere he goes.

Messi’s health also improved significantly in the care of the Dmitriev’s.

Weighing in at 90 pounds, Messi is a whole lot smaller than the average puma, but definitely not the size of your average house cat either. Aleksandr and Mariya try to keep him active by going on long walks with him twice a day. He even listens to numerous commands thanks to a local dog training school that was willing to help out.

The story of Messi quickly spread around the country and further, and the puma is now even an Instagram celebrity with almost 1,5 million followers! You can check out all of his adventures on his page, @I_am_puma.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B99Oa_LHPZK/

Source: I_am_puma, BoredPanda