Zaima Rahman Shares Heartfelt Reflections on Family Pet ‘Zebu’

Zaima Rahman, daughter of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, shared an intimate look into her family’s life on Monday with an emotional social media post dedicated to their pet cat, Zebu. 

The post, which quickly went viral, reflects on the deep bond between the family and their Siberian companion following their recent return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile.

Zaima expressed both surprise and amusement at the widespread public fascination Zebu has garnered in Bangladesh.

“Caring for an animal, any animal, is a great responsibility. After all, it is a life, a creation of Allah. When I first brought Zebu home as a kitten, I never imagined how deeply she would become part of our family,” she writes.

The post offered rare glimpses into the household dynamics of her family. 

Zaima jokingly recalled instances where her parents, Tarique and Zubaida Rahman, would ask about Zebu’s well-being before even greeting her. 

“As for me, Zebu always seemed able to read my emotions, offering comfort in the only ways her little paws and fluffy belly could,” she said.

She described how Zebu would shadow her mother during gardening or neighborhood walks and spend her evenings curled up on her father’s lap, receiving head massages while he attended to work calls.

For Zaima, the bond was even more intuitive. She shared how Zebu seemed to "read her emotions," providing quiet comfort during difficult times with her "little paws and fluffy belly."

Addressing the challenges of their recent relocation, Zaima highlighted the silent struggle of animals during major life transitions. Having traveled across continents to a completely new environment, she noted that for Zebu’s "small soul," this move represented an upheaval far greater than humans might realize.

Through the experience of raising Zebu, Zaima says her family has gained profound lessons in patience and compassion. "Love transcends species," she remarked, adding that caring for another living being allows one to learn unexpected truths about themselves.

In a "fun fact" for her followers, Zaima revealed that Zebu—despite her popularity—does not actually meow. Instead, the cat communicates through soft bird-like chirps when happy, groans when picked up without "permission," and aggressive yowls toward other cats she dislikes.

The Siberian cat first became a social media sensation earlier this year after photos of her intently watching Tarique Rahman's phone went viral, leading to the creation of several fan-led and official social media pages in her name.