Of course, we understand why some people are hesitant around cats. Unlike dogs, who tend to make their feelings pretty obvious, cats can be a little harder to read. One minute they're rubbing against your legs, and the next they're looking at you like you've committed some terrible offense. Their affection often comes on their own terms, and earning their trust can take a little patience.
But that's also part of what makes getting close to a cat so rewarding. The first time a shy kitty approaches you for attention or decides your lap is a safe place to sleep, it feels like a pretty big accomplishment. Suddenly, you're celebrating every little purr and head bump like you've won some sort of award.
One lifelong dog person recently discovered this after spotting a shelter cat named Alfredo, or Alfie for short, on Facebook. His sad little face convinced them to leave work early and rush to the shelter just thirty minutes before closing. They applied to adopt him and brought him home that same day.
Alfie had been rescued from a hoarding situation and was understandably frightened. At ten months old, he spent his first three days hiding under the couch. Thankfully, he gradually started feeling more comfortable in his new surroundings.
Now, Alfie sleeps in bed with his family, greets his human at the door, and regularly comes looking for affection. He even gets along with the family's longtime rescue dog, although the dog mostly ignores him. He's still a little nervous, but his gentle personality has completely changed his human's opinion of cats.
We love stories like this because they challenge the idea that you have to choose between being a cat person and a dog person. There's plenty of room to adore both, and sometimes the animal you never expected to fall for becomes the one you can't imagine living without.
Alfie's human has officially joined the cat-loving club, and we suspect they're going to be here for life. After all, once you've experienced the joy of a formerly frightened kitty greeting you at the door, it's pretty hard to go back to believing cats aren't affectionate.