Riley Sugarman was volunteering at the Marblehead Animal Shelter in June 2020 when a litter of kittens arrived. That’s when she met Freddie.
“All his food was completely untouched and then once I came in I reached my hand into the cage and pet him. And he starts eating for the first time. And cats, if they eat in front of you, they trust you so I went home and told my parents. I was like ‘This cat, he’s the one,’” said Sugarman.
Sugarman and Freddie moved to Boston, back to Marblehead and then to Salem. In January 2023, they went on their biggest adventure — moving to Japan.
“I’m not sure Freddie is aware that he’s moved countries. He just knows that he’s in an apartment with his mom in a new city. He doesn’t act any differently than he did in Boston or in Kyoto,” said Sugarman.
Six months after moving, Sugarman met her boyfriend, with whom Freddie has a great connection.
”Within a month after we started dating, Freddie accepted my boyfriend, Kento, as his dad. Not stepdad — full-dad status. They have a beautiful relationship, and I’ve never seen him (Freddie) so comfortable with someone other than me. They cuddle and play like they’ve known each other for much longer than two years. He is a mommy’s boy, for sure, but Kento is in solid second place.” said Sugarman.
Trips to the vet in Japan can be difficult for those who don’t speak the language, but the bills are much lower.
“Before I met Kento, vet visits were tricky with the language barrier. I didn’t study veterinary-related vocabulary in language school, but could manage enough, but now his presence makes it much easier. Those who don’t understand Japanese at all would need an English-speaking vet. Vet visits are also much cheaper in Japan. An annual appointment with blood and pee tests, plus the yearly vaccine, costs about 75 USD,” said Sugarman.
Cat food and toys in Japan look similar to the ones in the U.S., although there are a lot fewer options than in the endless pet aisles in America. Freddie still gets his favorite food brand, Purina.
Sugarman teaches at an international preschool in Tokyo and has just adopted a second cat, Rosie. So far, Freddie seems to approve.
