A little street kitten, once the toughest of the bunch, finally let her guard down, and it was the sweetest thing.
EdithAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
Edith, a tuxedo kitten with wary eyes and a scrappy spirit, was one of the three young cats rescued from under the deck of a restaurant.
Born outdoors, the trio had developed strong survival instincts. Life with humans was an unfamiliar concept, and they were skittish and defensive. But the rescuers at Liberation Cat House looked past their fear and took a chance on them.
A dedicated volunteer, Alyssa, welcomed the hissy trio into her home, determined to help them learn to trust.
They were very shy when they arrived in foster careAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
It didn't take long for Edith's sisters to warm up. Within days, they discovered the joy of head scritches and belly rubs, purring contentedly and soaking up affection like sponges. Edith, however, remained guarded. She wedged herself under furniture, tucked into corners, doing her best to stay invisible.
Her progress was slower, but Alyssa wasn't discouraged. Sometimes, the best things take time.
Edith was especially skittish and needed more time to learn to trustAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
Her sisters blossomed into confident, playful kittens, and were soon adopted into loving homes. Meanwhile, Edith clung to her cubby bed and wasn't quite ready to take the leap. "She has been a tough little cookie to crack," Alyssa shared.
So Alyssa met her where she was, offering quiet company and plenty of treats.
Alyssa@orlandofosterkittens
With the other kittens adopted, Alyssa could finally focus entirely on Edith. She sat quietly by her side, spoke in a soothing voice, and gently wrapped her in a soft blanket to ease her into being petted and held.
"We're finally getting through to her that a life inside is a good life. She just needs a little extra convincing."
Alyssa@orlandofosterkittens
A few days later, something changed. Alyssa and her mother witnessed the breakthrough they had been hoping for.
"What a difference a few days can make." Being on her own and receiving all the attention helped Edith come out of her shell. "I even got her to roll over on her back for pets."
One day, she decided to let her guard down and trustAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
For weeks, Alyssa had worried she wasn't making any headway. Seeing Edith's walls come down was one of her most rewarding experiences. "She is getting little 'field trips' to the couch for snuggle sessions, and there's nothing quite like watching her roll around and purr for love."
Edith started venturing out of her bed, exploring the world around her.
She rolled around on her human, purring up a stormAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
Once she felt safe, her playful side emerged. She showed interest in toys and was especially fond of a little plush mouse. She also befriended Jasper, the resident cat, who took to grooming her like a big brother.
"It was seriously the cutest thing I've ever seen. She's finally realizing life indoors is so much better."
Edith and her favorite mouse toyAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
"She absolutely loves cuddling up on your chest. She'll purr up a storm, roll around on her back, and stretch out her paws to touch your face. She's a sweet girl that's still learning to let go of that last bit of fear."
Though she startles at times, she comes back a little braver each time. All she needed was a family willing to let her move at her own pace.
Alyssa@orlandofosterkittens
Then came the perfect match. A family with a soft spot for shy cats came across Edith's story and knew she was meant to be theirs. "Edith has found a really understanding adopter that is willing to give her the time she needs to thrive."
The icing on the cake? Edith now has a new sister, a friendly cat ready to show her the ropes and be her best friend.
She has found her forever homeAlyssa@orlandofosterkittens
Share this story with your friends. More on Alyssa's fosters on Instagram@orlandofosterkittens and Liberation Cat House @liberationcathouse.
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