What a princess!

Sometimes seeing is believing. For Princess Di the cat, it was seeing acts of kindness over and over again that helped her finally change her mind about a long-standing issue: whether or not to trust people.

Princess Di came to Best Friends years ago as part of a feral colony that had been shut down by authorities. Ever since that time, she has decided to avoid people at all costs. Not even her caregivers could go near her. Then, several months ago, something happened that would start a chain of events in her life. Something she probably didn’t even notice much at the time.

The gentleman who used to care for her feral colony stopped in to say hello. Here’s where part of the story may seem familiar. Monkey, another cat from this colony, had also been hiding from people ever since coming to Best Friends. That face from his past, however, woke something inside Monkey. Monkey trotted right over and said hello to Ken (the feral colony caregiver), with astonished Best Friends staffers standing by. To be clear, Monkey didn’t do that for anyone. Ever.

Not willing to miss an opportunity, Monkey’s caregivers moved in and started petting Monkey as well. From that point on, he’d turned a corner. He decided people were worth getting to know after all, and now even strangers can pet him.

Meanwhile, all during these past few months, Princess Di has been watching from the shadows. Some think she might be Monkey’s mother. Whether or not that is the case, the two have a close bond. And she watched him closely, over and over, as he interacted with people. She watched, time and again, how nothing bad ever happened to Monkey. In fact, it almost looked like something good was happening. After several months of watching Monkey make friends, Di finally worked up the courage to see if she’d been wrong about people all these years. Turns out she was! She now allows human contact.

Understand, she’s no lap cat. Not yet. These things take time, and Princess Di is setting the pace. Yet she now approaches people, and continues to form relationships. That’s huge. She’s following Monkey’s example and realizing that there is a lot more to life than she expected. And to think it all started with a friendly face from the past dropping in to say hello.

Goes to show that no act of kindness is ever truly forgotten.

Story by David Dickson
Photos by Gary Kalpakoff

Get the chance to learn more about the feline Adorable Adoptables who live at the Best Friends sanctuary.

October 12, 2009 : 1:51 PM ET
posted by: mircat

I have a cat who looks exactly like Princess Di (white with spots on one side and calico tail). Found her and her sis/bro behind a board on a rainy day. They were about 3 mos old. The bro. decided he loved the safety of indoors and constant food available. His sisters, Chloe and Mini Me are just now deciding he might be right and they've lived with me 5 years! Mini is the Di look alike and the only time I can hold her is when I've caged her and taken her to the vet for a steroid shot. But the last couple of months she's stopped freaking out when I stop by the bed to pet or scratch her when I walk through. Sometimes she will sit on my lap as I watch TV. So I sure can relate to the patience it takes while a feral decides a hand is friendly not harmful! Amazing to me how different cats can be from the same litter and the same environment. Beige was glad to be indoors and welcomes petting and scratches, His sisters are just now thinking its okay. Chloe just discovered the joys of being brushed and Mini goes in the carrier without me requiring first aid. It's been a long haul for all of us.

October 11, 2009 : 6:24 PM ET
posted by: tess

I always knew cats were this smart! They just don't have to let on about it. I do want to say, probably most of you know this but to those who don't, ferals can be very happy even if they don't get petting from people. I think their lives can be enriched by human contact but we should try and not have our own ideas about these animals for what we think would make them happy. If a kitty is shy or even feral, it is very much worth adopting and giving it a home is the most wonderful thing you can do for it. If it turns out to be a lapcat one day well then that's just icing on the cake!

October 11, 2009 : 10:33 AM ET
posted by: scunningham

I also adopted two ferals that are brothers from the Humane Society. They were only about 9 months old at the time. One was very friendly (CeCe) but the other (Sparkey) wouldn't let anyone pet him. I've worked at petting him whether he liked it or not (and I have the scars to prove it!). I have four cats altogether, so he sees me giving plenty of love to the other three. It has been two years since I adopted them and during the last six months or so, Sparkey has made a tremendous turnaround. Now, I can't keep him off my lap! When I walk in the room, he's rolling over and begging for attention. And he is about the loudest purrer I've ever heard. He even sleeps cuddled up against me and allows me to rub his belly, but not all the time. He has even become friendly towards strangers. He's like an entirely different cat. It's amazing. So the added attention has worked and was worth it.

October 11, 2009 : 1:02 AM ET
posted by: cherrylovespoodles@verizon.net

My feral cat is over 18 years old. Her name is Friskey, of course. We got her from a neighbor who found her in his bushes. She was not very old, her eyes were open, but she was a wobbly walker. We had to bottle feed her on an infant schedle, but she liked it and we did too. My husband was out at Westpac at the time, and she was a welcome little surprise bundle for my kids and I. Not to mention - an energenic bundle! I am not sure our toes have ever recovered from her pranks. She still tries to act like she is just a kitty, but she isn't. Well, I think feral cats can really rock. But shoes are required!!

October 10, 2009 : 3:33 PM ET
posted by: skya

Princess Di has such pretty markings! I don't think I've ever seen a mostly white cat with a calico tail before! >^..^<

October 10, 2009 : 10:55 AM ET
posted by: marys

First the goosebumps, and then the tears. Love reading these stories!

October 10, 2009 : 10:00 AM ET
posted by: squeakie42

YAY for the ferals! This is exactly how I used to get some of my colony more domesticated -- find one receptive one, make repeated, big, affectionate shows & brush that one while the others watched. I've adopted 3 over the years and 'adopted out' others to people who have the loving patience to give them the time and space they needed to settle in. Aside from hating to be lifted up, every one of them became cuddlers -- even the one who lived under a bed for 5 months! THANK you for not giving up on these homeless babies. And Ken, thank you for letting them know you haven't forgotten, either.

October 9, 2009 : 8:00 PM ET
posted by: a.rabbitmom

"That's huge" doesn't say enough. What a heartwarming story. Life-changing for Monkey and Princess Di.

October 9, 2009 : 4:07 PM ET
posted by: ktsmom

What a "feel good" story this is. I'm so happy at the progress that Monkey and Princess Di have made after all these years. Thank you Ken for visiting your old friends-and thank you Best Friends for letting us know about this story. Please keep us updated....

October 9, 2009 : 12:10 PM ET
posted by: SHERYLCATMOM

Huge steps for Monkey and Princess Di! I just love the power of love.

October 9, 2009 : 12:03 PM ET
posted by: lld

What a heartwarmimg story. Good to see these sweet ones get to take things at their own pace. One of the MANY things I love about Best Friends! Here is hoping Princess Di will continue to warm up to gentle touch. Air kisses to you sweetie!

October 9, 2009 : 11:52 AM ET
posted by: skya

What a lovely story!!! Never, never give up on ferals! I've had mine for five years and while she still doesn't like to be held, she loves to be brushed and stroked. And she's a wonderful cat! Thank you for caring for Monkey and Princess!

October 9, 2009 : 11:43 AM ET
posted by: va_cat_mom

Just one of the many reasons I support Best Friends...I'm convinced that with the right mix of patience, love, and time, any abused animal can become a potential pet. Way to go, Di! You're a brave kitty!

October 9, 2009 : 11:25 AM ET
posted by: ssowada

Isn't it interesting how Best Friends not only talks the talk but walks the walk:)

October 9, 2009 : 10:38 AM ET
posted by: jkrogh

Great story.. For anyone that have cared for ferals.. if we can only find a save place for those that are homeless.. time is good to all of them... they can come around.... I have seen it myself with enough love and patience many of them do learn to allow human contact and lead a happier and less stressful ;ife.

Thank you to everyone that helps the ferals.