Zaima Rahman shares heartfelt tribute to family cat 'Zebu'

Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, has opened up about her family's beloved pet cat 'Zebu' in a reflective social media post that highlights the profound bond between humans and animals.

"I must admit I'm equally surprised and amused by the level of curiosity surrounding Zebu in Bangladesh. If only she understood! Caring for an animal, any animal is a great responsibility," she mentioned in the post.

Describing Zebu as a cherished family member, Zaima revealed the cat's significant role in their household, noting her parents often asked about Zebu first upon returning home. 

"She would bounce around my mum as she gardened or walked through the neighbourhood, and in the evenings, she would curl up on my dad's lap, enjoying a head massage while he finished his work calls," she wrote in the post.

She added, "Zebu always seemed able to read my emotions, offering comfort in the only ways her little paws and fluffy belly could".

Zaima emphasized the responsibilities of pet ownership, stating caring for any animal is a great responsibility as it is "a creation of Allah." 

She shared insights gained from Zebu, including lessons in patience, compassion, and nonverbal love that "transcends species."

"Through Zebu, our family has learned a great deal about patience, compassion for creatures big and small, and the beauty of loving and caring for one another even without a shared language," she added.

The post also touched on Zebu's recent international move, acknowledging the greater upheaval such changes bring for animals. A distinctive fun fact shared, 'Zebu doesn't meow, the cat vocalization. Instead, she chirps like a bird when happy, groans in protest, and yowls at unfriendly cats.'

Zaima concluded by expressing her belief that caring for another living being offers deep self-discovery, a privilege her family has long valued through their life with animals. 

'Zebu', the Siberian pet cat of Tarique Rahman's family, arrived in Dhaka from London with him after more than 17 years, quickly drawing massive social media attention.