From the Streets to a Forever Home
When Chico was first found in 2019, life looked very different for him. A small stray cat, he was discovered crying outside an apartment door, hungry, lonely, and unsure of what would happen next. That’s when his future mom, Tori Roman, got a call from a friend who asked if she could help.
“I had just moved into my own apartment,” Roman recalled. “I took him in, and from that moment, he was mine.”
Chico adjusted quickly to life indoors. No longer having to worry about where his next meal would come from, he settled into a routine of naps, cuddles, and endless affection from his new family. As Roman put it, he was a “street cat turned spoiled indoor cat.” And he leaned into the role of spoiled pet with full enthusiasm.
But soon, Chico revealed a quirky obsession that would define his new life — one no one could have predicted.
The Day Chico Met His True Love
Most cats enjoy toys, scratching posts, or the occasional cardboard box. Chico, however, discovered happiness in something far less conventional: a velvet clothes hanger.
It all started on a laundry day. Roman and her husband were sorting clothes when Chico noticed a soft velvet hanger nearby. Curious, he batted it with his paw, and just like that, he was hooked.
From that day forward, Chico demanded the hanger whenever laundry was happening. It wasn’t just a passing phase — the hanger became his thing.
“He started searching the closet for it,” Roman said. “Our closet door is always open, and we typically have to pull him away from sorting through the hangers … or give in and take off the article of clothing the velvet hanger has so Chico can play with it. It’s his world!”
The hanger became more than a toy. It was comfort, entertainment, and even a prized possession. Chico had everything an indoor cat could want, but nothing topped the hanger.
When Disaster Struck
For a while, life was simple. Chico had his family, his home, and, of course, his hanger. But one day, tragedy came in the form of his pittie brother, Murphy.
Murphy had been curious about Chico’s obsession and finally decided to give the velvet hanger a try. Unfortunately, his stronger teeth and paws were no match for the fragile hanger. Within minutes, the hanger was destroyed.
Chico was devastated. He sat on the closet floor, gazing at the remaining hangers, clearly searching for his favorite one. But no matter how hard he looked, it was gone.
Roman captured the heartbreaking moment on video and shared it with her sister, who asked what Chico wanted for Christmas. Roman’s reply was simple: “A velvet hanger.”
The Christmas Surprise That Changed Everything
When Christmas rolled around, Chico’s wish was granted. His aunt gave him a brand-new velvet hanger, and the joy it brought was immediate. In a TikTok video that quickly spread online, Chico could be seen happily reunited with his beloved object, pawing it and curling around it as if it were the greatest gift in the world.
“Merry Christmas to Chico,” Roman captioned the video.
Chico’s story touched thousands of people online, who couldn’t help but smile at his unusual obsession. While many pets are showered with toys and gadgets, Chico’s happiness came down to something as simple as a hanger — proof that love can be found in the quirkiest places.
For Chico, it wasn’t just about playtime. The hanger was a source of comfort, a familiar object that brought him joy. And his family, though amused by his obsession, was more than willing to keep the tradition alive.
Why Chico’s Hanger Will Always Be Replaced
Murphy has destroyed the hanger a couple of times since that first incident, but Chico’s parents always make sure a new one is waiting for him. Even though Roman’s husband doesn’t like velvet hangers at all, the family buys them anyway — because Chico’s happiness comes first.
“He actually hates the velvet hangers,” Roman admitted with a laugh. “But we keep buying them anyway. Chico would be lost without it.”
The quirky obsession has become part of Chico’s identity. Just as some cats are known for carrying toys in their mouths or sleeping in odd places, Chico is known for his velvet hanger. And his family wouldn’t change a thing.
For Roman, the hanger is more than just a funny quirk. It’s a symbol of how far Chico has come since being rescued. From a lonely street cat to a beloved family member whose every wish is granted, Chico now lives a life full of joy, security, and love — with a hanger always by his side.
“Chico may have started life with nothing,” Roman said, “but now, he has everything he needs. And that includes his hanger.”
Sometimes, joy is found in the simplest of things — whether that’s a favorite blanket, a childhood toy, or, in Chico’s case, a velvet hanger.
His obsession has brought laughter, love, and connection to everyone who hears his story. And thanks to his family, who go out of their way to make sure he always has what he needs, Chico will never have to face life without his favorite possession again.
It’s safe to say Chico’s Christmas miracle will be repeated many times in the future — because, in his home, his happiness is the top priority. And for this once-stray cat turned spoiled prince, life couldn’t be more perfect.
