Antisocial York cat finds her people and is right at home

“Once upon a time” a beautiful Russian Blue mama cat made the best decision of her young life when she chose to have her six tiny babies in the window well of Joyce Angle’s home in west York. We don’t know how her story began, we don’t know why she was on her own at such a young age, we know that she continued to come to Joyce’s back deck seeking food.

Her story began with us in July of 2006 when Joyce discovered why the cat had continued to be seen in and around her back yard; she discovered six tiny babies nestled in her south window well. Cinderella and her six tiny babies came to the Cat Sanctuary and joined the masses of other young mothers and dozens and dozens of baby kittens.

Her kittens were soon adopted, going to Aurora, Lincoln and Beatrice. Cinderella was spayed, brought current on her vaccinations and settled in at the Cat Sanctuary. Many times people would remark what a beautiful cat she was but each time she was shown any interest, Cinderella would treat the new potential family with disdain and irritability.

I would get so frustrated with her. When no one was around, she was so loving and affectionate, but the minute someone would come to the sanctuary she showed an “attitude” each and every time. More than once I would scold her when we were alone and said many times “Cinderella, if you don’t change your attitude you are NEVER going to be adopted” She would look at me with big gold eyes as if to say “whatever.”

You know that you are involved emotionally with the cats when you start having one-way conversations with them. Several times, Bob has come into the sanctuary and asked “who are you talking to?” I sheepishly say “Oh, just talking to the cats.”

On July 1, 2008, I received a call from Jill. She had seen Cinderella on our website and said she was very interested in her. She and her son made an appointment to come that very afternoon from Lincoln to see her. I was so excited but so stressed thinking if Cinderella blows this adoption she truly will end up being a permanent resident of the cat sanctuary.

Sure enough, Cinderella went into her antisocial mode, and I thought, “This is the chance of a lifetime; don’t blow it.” Jill’s son Troy was not deterred; he kept saying “Mom, she is the one.” I could tell Jill was apprehensive, but after sitting on my back porch trying to coax Cinderella into their laps she finally relented and said we will take a chance on Cinderella. I told them that if things didn’t work out, to call me and we would take her back.

For several weeks every time the phone rang (and it rings nonstop) I held my breath thinking this is the dreaded call; Cinderella is coming back.

I received this following note from Jill:

Dear LaMoine, last May we lost our Missy of 8 years. My son and I were very sad, and many tears were shed. We slowly started the search for another cat. One night I saw an ad in the paper for York Adopt a Pet and decided to check out your website. As I was browsing, I came across a picture of a beautiful young Russian Blue named Cinderella. “Troy,” I yelled, “come check this cat out, it’s a Russian Blue!” He came down and saw her picture and declared, “Mom, that’s the cat I want.” We read her rescue story, and our decision was made. On a hot July afternoon we made our trip to York.

There were many cats to choose from and many of them vying for attention, but NOT Cinderella. Cinderella ran, and finally due to my son’s perseverance became an “unwilling detainee” in his lap. “I’m not sure about her, she doesn’t seem very friendly,” I commented. “Oh, mom, remember what Missy was like?” my son reassured me. “And she came around!”

I reluctantly agreed to the adoption. Once we got her home, I realized my fears were unfounded. Cinderella made herself right at home and continues to be a wonderful pet. She follows us and is usually there to greet us when we come home if she’s not asleep on the bed. She also likes to “stalk” birds from inside the living room. She is a wonderful cat and companion.

“I wrote the above little story for you to share with others and to thank you for your patience and compassion you showed to our little Cinderella. Sincerely Jill & Troy”

My grandson and granddaughter are coming for a visit soon, they love for grandma to tell them stories of her cats and kittens. (They think these are all grandma’s cats and kittens) This will be a special story for Erin, because Cinderella is her “mostest” favorite princess. I will enjoy seeing their anticipation of the story of “Once upon a time there was a stray cat named Cinderella.” And it will be especially rewarding when I can say “And they all lived happily ever after.”