When Janny first stumbled upon Mochi, she had no idea how much this tiny, scruffy kitten would change her life.
She was out for a walk in her neighborhood when she heard faint meowing. Following the sound, Janny saw two kittens getting attacked by a dog.
Tragically, one of the kittens didn’t survive. The other, a fragile black cutie, was hiding in bushes but Janny managed to scoop him up and rush him to safety. She decided to call him Mochi.
Mochi was in rough shape. At just a few weeks old, he was barely able to walk and wobbled with every step.
His body was covered in fleas and his eyes were filled with fear. He was so small that he could fit in a palm, as Janny shared in an interview:
“When we found him, he was hidden in some bushes and was so tiny. He had big blue eyes and was still learning how to walk.”
His fur was patchy and matted, and Janny remembers the heartbreak of seeing a clump of it slide right off when she stroked him.
Despite his frail appearance, something about him tugged at Janny’s heart. So she decided to welcome him into her home and give him the love and care he deserved.
In those early days, Mochi was timid and quiet, hiding in corners and flinching at sudden movements. But as Janny worked tirelessly to nurse him back to health, he began to show signs of trust.
His timidness gave way to curiosity, and soon, he became a playful little whirlwind, darting around the house and chasing anything that moved.
It was hard to keep him indoors as his adventurous spirit seemed too big for the four walls of Janny’s home.
A year later, Mochi is unrecognizable from the fragile kitten Janny rescued. His once patchy fur has grown into a sleek, shiny black coat that shines in the sunlight.
He’s now a healthy and confident cat who loves lounging in doorways, as Janny shared:
“He’s much healthier and he’s almost pitch black now. He also doesn’t chase after us anymore, instead, he’ll lay in our way and if we dare step over him, he shows why that’s a bad idea.”
His playful side still shines through as he occasionally pounces on his cat siblings, but overall, he’s much calmer and enjoys his space.
“During the day, he’s normally out and likes his space from time to time. When indoors he will sometimes randomly attack his siblings in a playful manner when he feels like it. But he’s way more relaxed now.”
Janny believes that love has played the biggest role in Mochi’s recovery. Along with a special diet and plenty of outdoor adventures, she’s made sure he feels safe and cherished every day.
Janny decided to share Mochi’s story with the world. She posted a before-and-after picture of him on Reddit, showing the dramatic transformation from a scruffy, frightened kitten to a sleek, handsome cat.
And boy, did he change! Seeing him now, it’s hard to believe he’s the same timid little kitten she found in the bushes. Among the comments, one Redditor summed it up perfectly:
“From gremlin to gentleman.”
Mochi didn’t just grow; he truly blossomed, proving that a little love can work wonders.
To Janny’s surprise, the post went viral, racking up over 17,000 votes and hundreds of comments from people who were moved by Mochi’s journey.
The outpouring of support has meant the world to Janny, as she shared:
“I didn’t think anyone would even care, but it seems that many people do, which certainly makes me very happy as Mochi is a special boy.”
Janny hopes Mochi’s story will encourage more people to adopt black cats. Despite their beauty and charm, these kitties are often overlooked in shelters, all because of superstitions. Janny has seen this struggle firsthand, sharing:
“I frequently visit rescues on the island and there are so many black cats who don’t get adopted because of the stigma, so please don’t look at a cat for their fur. Look for their personality and cherish them because they won’t be here forever.”
Black cats are just as loving, playful, and deserving of a chance as any other. When given that opportunity, they can bring endless warmth to a home and fill their owners’ hearts with pride and joy – just like Mochi has done.
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