A couple came across a kitten living outside all alone. They came up with a plan to rescue and adopt her.
Betty H. and her husband noticed a stray wandering outside their house in late 2018. The little odd-eyed kitten was timid, dirty and very hungry. "We started leaving food and water to help her out and she began hanging around," Betty told Love Meow.
No one came forward to claim the kitten (now named Fluffy), so when the new year came around, they decided to try to rescue her. Betty would feed her three times a day, and each time, she would stay around, hoping to earn her trust.
"At first, I was quiet. Once she got used to me being there without any hesitation, I began talking to Fluffy while she ate and drank," Betty said. "Eventually, I attempted to pet her. It was really telling that she'd never had an owner."
Fluffy reluctantly let Betty touch her and would flinch after a few pets. But with lots of patience and reassurance, the kitten started to realize that her human meant good. Her demeanor began to shift from being fearful of touch to craving more attention and pets.
"Near the end of her time outside, she would actually want to be petted before eating. It really blew me away to see that from a stray," Betty shared with Love Meow.
Around mid-February, Fluffy mustered enough courage to follow her humans into their home, and made herself a part of the family.
"I gave her the first bath she'd probably ever had. She had black spots on her nose and orange residue on her paws that seemed to refuse to wash away," Betty added. "She was missing patches of fur and had massive filthy knots in the fur she did have."
Fluffy purred up a storm when she was wrapped up in a soft towel after the bath, cuddling comfortably in her human's arms.
"I've never heard a cat purr so loudly. Later, when we took her to the vet, we learned that she had a series of issues — she had worms, a stomach infection, and ear mites."
Over the next few days, they nursed the kitten back to health and got her a much-needed haircut to remove all the knots and mats.
Their older resident cat Lacie quickly took to the newcomer. "They get along really well, and we have noticed that Lacie is more frisky now that Fluffy is with us."
In just a few weeks, the former stray blossomed to be a playful and happy cat.
"Fluffy acts like a puppy dog. She is the most playful and energetic cat I have ever met," Betty shared with Love Meow.
Watch Fluffy and her journey in this video:
Her face is the first thing they see when they come home.
"When I come home from work, Fluffy waits in the window until I get out of my car. As soon as I open my front door, there's Fluffy on top of the recliner by the door waiting to greet me."
It's been a little over a year since they found Fluffy. She's grown to be a gorgeous cat with her beautiful blue and yellow eyes.
"It was worth it everyday for a month and a half to save her."
"Just like a dog, Fluffy is always waiting for any food that accidentally drops on the floor," Betty said. "She will roll in the floor when she's immensely happy and playful."
When she's not playing or begging for a snack, she's snuggling with her best friend.
Fluffy enjoys watching bird TV from the window. She's loving her VIP life as a spoiled indoor cat.
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