Shoulder Cats Of Tuscany: How Two Kittens Found Their Forever Home
A few years ago, a sudden hailstorm rolled through the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy, leaving the countryside battered and wet. As artist Caleb Screpnek wandered out to take in the aftermath, something unusual caught his eye — what looked like a small, sodden clump of fur lying in the grass.
When he knelt down, he realized it wasn’t debris at all, but two tiny kittens, soaked to the bone and shivering from the cold. Their mother had likely moved her litter during the storm, but in the chaos, these two had been left behind.
Without hesitation, Screpnek scooped the fragile kittens into his arms and carried them home. He dried them off, wrapped them in blankets, and fed them until their little bellies were full. Then, at last, they curled up and drifted into a long, healing sleep.
“They slept for a long time and slowly came back to health,” Screpnek recalled.
At first, the kittens — later named Cici and Nunu — were timid. But within two days, they decided their rescuer could be trusted. From that moment on, they refused to leave his side.
“I basically lived on the sofa with them for two weeks straight,” Screpnek said. “They just didn’t want to be alone.”
As their strength returned, Cici and Nunu transformed into lively, playful balls of energy. When Screpnek let them explore the Tuscan outdoors, they discovered a curious new habit: instead of wandering off, they climbed up onto his shoulders and rode around like little kings surveying their kingdom.
“I quickly gained a reputation as the crazy one with kittens on my shoulder,” he laughed.
For an artist who often works outdoors, their company was constant. Whether sitting on his lap, perched on his chest, or draped over his shoulders as he painted, Cici and Nunu seemed to think their rightful place was always as close to him as possible.
Now, years later, the kittens have grown into healthy adult cats — but their attachment hasn’t faded. Even though they’ve outgrown his shoulders, they still compete for a spot there, purring in their same old way as they watch him work.
“They still fight and cuddle and explore this slice of Tuscan paradise we all call home,” Screpnek said.
What began as a rescue on a stormy day has blossomed into a lifelong bond. For Cici and Nunu, Tuscany isn’t just home — it’s wherever their favorite human is.