Michigan Man Spends A Year Trying To Earn A Stray Cat’s Trust, Then Everything Changes

Building a bond with a cat isn’t always easy, especially if the cat has been living outdoors or has gone through trauma. 

I remember struggling with an adopted kitten. He wasn’t fearful or mistreated, and he adjusted well to indoor life, yet forming that deeper connection still took time.

Bonding with cats can be challenging, but with patience and love, it usually happens.

That’s exactly what a man named Lex experienced when he noticed a stray cat wandering around his home. 

Gaining her trust wasn’t simple, but he refused to give up – and sometimes, that persistence makes all the difference.

Patience Brought Us Cinnabon

After moving into his new home, Lex began spotting a stray cat hanging around the property. 

The former homeowner had warned him that the neighborhood had plenty of cats and advised him not to get involved.

But Lex couldn’t ignore this one. There was something about the cat that drew his attention, even though the animal was clearly frightened of him. Instead of walking away, Lex felt compelled to try and help.

The cat looked really malnourished, thin, and sickly. He shared in a video:

“At the time I wasn’t really used to cats so I didn’t know what you’re supposed to do.”

Lex left food out for the cat to eat. Once he saw that the cat was eating it and coming back, Lex started leaving cat food out. He said:

“He was still super afraid. He would meow and make eye contact too before he’d run away.”

Months passed and the cat would still come and eat out of the bowls Lex left out for him outside the house.

Still, even if he saw Lex through the glass door, he would run away. But eventually, he got comfortable with seeing Lex through the glass door. He probably realized that he was safe. He said:

“He would just kind of look at me and get back to his food. And he’d be ok.”

Little by little, progress began to show. Lex started leaving the door open, watching the cat from a safe distance. 

The cat seemed more comfortable with this, but still wouldn’t allow Lex to come near, and any thought of touching him was out of the question.

At this point, Lex thought to himself:

“Since I’m feeding this cat, I felt obligated to get him a house, because it gets pretty cold in Michigan.”

So he did; he made a little cat house, secured it, and filled it with comfy blankets. The first night he put it out, Cinnabon came. Lex saw him getting cozy inside. 

The first night Lex put the cat house out, Cinnabon claimed it. It felt like they were family now, but Lex was still trying to get him to come inside. Lex said:

“I remember I opened the slider door and this time he wanted in the house, he was just afraid. He wanted to get the treat, but he didn’t trust me.”

Then for the first time ever, he actually took the treat from Lex’s hand. This was a turning point! Lex was able to pet Cinnabon.

Lex began reaching out to the cat, now named Cinnabon, by petting him gently through the sliding door. Soon, Cinnabon took a few brave steps inside the house. It wasn’t much at first, but it was a start. 

Lex kept encouraging him with treats, placing them on the ground one by one, luring Cinnabon closer each time.

Then, almost suddenly, everything changed. The once-distant cat who wouldn’t allow a single touch was now walking inside and soaking up all the cuddles he could get. 

That was the moment Cinnabon understood – he had finally found his home.

Lex began leaving Cinnabon inside more often, giving him the chance to explore the house at his own pace. 

He even left him alone sometimes, allowing the curious cat to wander, sniff, and get comfortable with his new surroundings.

Even now, Cinnabon enjoys spending time outdoors, playing and exploring nature, and Lex respects that part of him. 

He gives Cinnabon the freedom to live both inside and outside, and the result is a truly happy cat.

Lex’s friends tease him because he used to claim that he wasn’t a “cat person”, and now Cinnabon is his best friend. He added:

“Definitely changed me as a person, made me a lot more tolerant and kind of understand and learn what it’s like to take care of something else.”

Well, it seems like Lex needed Cinnabon as much as Cinnabon needed him. And I think he knows it. Lex said:

“They say you never choose a cat, a cat chooses you. And I definitely feel in this situation, he for sure chose me.”

Now their bond is even stronger. You can keep up with their adventures on their YouTube channel or Instagram.