Mama cat rescued by a mama hooman for a furrever home, but struggles with snuggles until three years later: 'It was a big milestone.'

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Mar 2, 2025 1:00 PM EST

What a beautiful moment it is when a cat realizes "I am not in the streets anymore. I am not in the shelter anymore. I am in a home, and this home is my home too. I have a home." This heartwarming moment of realization a cat experiences is one of the most wholesome meowing moments a person can witness. When a cat that used to live a difficult life realizes they don't need to struggle to live anymore, they become a soft snuggling purring machine. When a cat feels confident and safe, they'll come to their hoomans for snuggles and cuddles - but it can take time.

One very patient hooman waited for three years before the cat she rescued finally realized that letting go, trusting, and snuggling with her hooman is a safe space to enjoy and nap. It's an amazing moment, and luckily for this hearty hooman, she had her phone with her to document the first time her rescued cat came for some snuggle time in her arms. What a magnificent moment it was. Can you imagine that? You're so excited but must make no sound or any sudden movements, because you don't dare risk ruining this moment.

This woman shared that wholesome moment with her terrific tortie cat with the online feline family and caused so many hearts to melt. This wholesome moment sparked an adorable discussion of growing confidence in cats like that, and other people who shared similar experiences. We recommend grabbing your cat and cuddling with them before reading through, because this is so sweet you'll want to go and grab your cat for cuddles anyway.

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  • 01
    First time sleeping in my arms in 3 years, so I had to share!
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 02
    ba
    via u/Angeliiiiique

  • We're very happy about two things: First of all, that this cute lady cat can now feel safe enough to snuggle and cuddle. And second of all, that this cat's hooman had a nearby phone to capture this first time it happened.

  • 03
    I rescued Bella and her kittens 3 years ago, she became a stray after being abandoned by one of my neighbors, and
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 04
    ever since I had her, she had separation anxiety with me but she hates being carried or locked in arms like on the pictures, so I was so
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 05
    happy that she felt finally comfortable enough after 3 years, to sleep below the cover, in between my arm, and was able to deeply sleep while doing so, I really
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 06
    hope it means she's getting less anxious and more comfortable. So anyway, I really wanted to share, because I felt like it was a big milestone.
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10473793280
    via u/Angeliiiiique

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  • 08
    Itsmonday_again Cats are so weird sometimes, they'll go years hating to be touched or held, then it's like one day they change their mind and now you're their personal heated cushion for the rest of their lives. My cat did the same.
    via u/Itsmonday_again
  • 09
    Angeliiiiique OP That's exactly that! Mine has separation anxiety and when she's with me and I get comfortable on my bed or on the sofa, she comes lay by my side, with one paw on top of my leg to make sure I ain't going anywhere, but
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 10
    ain't going anywhere, but if I snuggle her or carry her? Oh boy she hates that. She's like "please respect my personal space" but she's got no respect for mine e
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 11
    -romy-indy right, it's like in their mind: "gotta stick with my hooman now, im missing my years being so grumpy and untouchable", they got a change of hearts
    via u/romy-indy
  • 12
    kathymyost Sometimes it may take a while but once they snuggle in your arms is so very worth it. 82♡ Reply Angeliiiiique OP It really is and she's currently in my arms again I cannot believe, I hope it becomes a habit.
    via u/kathymyost
  • 13
    Toonces348 "I haz a hooman!"
    via u/Toonces348

  • “I has a hooman! My hooman showed my love and care, and was very patient with me, and I can finally enjoy the fact that I haz a hooman and snuggle with her!”

  • 14
    Itchy-Reaction-7912 I have 2 sisters. One still will never sleep like this with me. Maybe one day lol
    via u/Itchy-Reaction-7912
  • 15
    Candid-Emergency 1125 Congratulations!! That's a huge milestone. This gives me so much hope!
    via u/Candid-Emergency1125
  • 16
    Angeliiiiique OP You're in that situation too? If so, I really hope you'll reach that point too. After 1727277227 rejections from my girl, I was happy to finally have her being comfortable enough to sleep like this.
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 17
    alynn182 This gives me hope too! I adopted my tortie almost 1 & 1/2 years ago, she's gonna be 4 this year. Shes always near me in some way, but not usually touching. The other day she laid on my
    via u/alynn182
  • 18
    feet lol.. but more than that or picking up shes not about it. I'm hoping someday she'll become more cuddly, but if not that ok too! Just as long as she's happy I'm happy ②
    via u/alynn182
  • 19
    Candid-Emergency 1125 I hope for that for you, too. But yes, as long as they're happy babies, that's all that really matters.
    via u/Candid-Emergency1125
  • 20
    Fair-Department-1659 It took my tortie about the same amount of time. Congrats! You have many sweet cuddles ahead of you! ☺
    via u/Fair-Department-1659
  • 21
    Angeliiiiique OP Ah that makes me so happy to know that I'm not alone in this. Thank you, I really hope so, I'll try to recreate what I did to make her as comfortable as I can every time she comes to see me because I really want her to be as
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 22
    relaxed as she was here, she's usually so anxious (even tho she's very sneaky, bossy, and playful hehe), and scratches on her head seems to be her weak spot, so I'll try doing that more.
    via u/Angeliiiiique
  • 23
    Ohmourningstar This is my little ladies favorite spot, especially at bed time, but a chair is more than fine.
    via u/Ohmourningstar
  • 24
    littlebookwyrm That's great! My tortie loves to crawl up my chest for some love, but often shys away from getting pets that she doesn't initiate. Cats are weird sometimes! This does sound like a sign she's getting more comfortable with you. :)
    via u/littlebookwyrm
  • 25
    allardOwnz Having a tortie sleep in your arms is a true blessing
    via u/allard0wnz
  • 26
    Ok-Guidance3235 Mine has never cuddled in 11 years even tho her non tort sister cuddles all the time. Out of the blue last year she started sleeping with me and now 1-2 times a month sleeps next to me! Get a pretty scary grrrrrrrrrr if I try to cuddle
    via u/Ok-Guidance3235
  • 27
    dean_ax I have the same watch and wrist band! Different cat tho
    via u/dean_ax

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adopt wholesome wholesome cats adorable adoption adorable cats cat adoption cute cute cats adopted Cats
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