NY Cat Lived Under The Couch For Weeks Before Her Family Found The One Language She Understood
A kitten found next to a garbage can in Cuba traveled to New York for a second chance. After hiding under a couch for weeks, her new family found a unique way to show her she was safe.
A Rough Start In Cuba
When a new family brought their rescue cat home, they weren’t sure how long it would take for her to feel safe. The timid feline immediately scooted underneath the couch, where she pretty much lived for weeks.
She was just so scared. Her journey to this quiet living room had been a long and difficult one.
She had originally been found next to a garbage can in Cuba, dumped there when she was just a kitten. Thankfully, a local foster who frequently rescued cats took her in, caring for her for a year and a half.
Eventually, she made the long trip up to Long Island, New York, where she was taken in by Beth’s Furry Friends organization.
More Than Just A Rescue
When the rescue organization evaluated her, they discovered she faced several physical challenges. Her bones hadn’t formed correctly, affecting her legs and how she walked.
But it wasn’t just her legs. Upon closer examination, they realized she had a condition called eyelid agenesis—meaning she didn’t have any upper eyelids.
Despite her medical needs, her new family didn’t hesitate. When they got the call asking if they still wanted to adopt her, their answer was an absolute yes.
They named her Lola. But when they finally went to pick her up, her whole body was trembling with fear.
Building Trust One Piece At A Time
Once Lola was home, the real work began. Her family knew they had to be incredibly patient to help her overcome her past.
Her new mom and grandmother would lay on the floor near her hiding spot. They hand-fed her one piece of food at a time, just trying to get her to eat.
Determined to make her feel more comfortable, her mom even started playing Cuban music to remind her of her first home.
She also began speaking to Lola in Spanish, softly reassuring her that everything was going to be okay.
Finding Her Footing
The gentle approach worked. Within a month, Lola started coming out of her hiding spot to spend time with her mom.
Because her legs caused her to walk in a bit of a split, navigating the house was a challenge. Her family wanted her to be able to join them wherever they were.
Her mom measured the width of her legs when she walked, and together with her dad, built custom ramps for the stairs.
These ramps gave Lola the freedom to move around the house and be with her family whenever she wanted.
The Princess Finds Her Voice
As Lola grew more comfortable, her true personality began to shine through. She finally found her voice, but she didn’t meow like a typical cat.
Instead, Lola chirps. And once she starts, she won’t stop chirping until she gets exactly what she wants.
It took about a year for the kids in the house to be able to touch her without her getting startled, but eventually, she claimed her spot as the princess of the house.
After seven or eight months, she even started seeking out her mom’s lap, actively asking for love and attention.
A Gold Medal Gymnast
Lola’s mobility continued to improve. When her family realized she could navigate stairs if they had carpet, they took the ramps down.
They installed carpet treads so she had something to grip onto, allowing her to climb up on her own.
Going down the stairs is an entirely different spectacle. Lola descends in a handstand, using only her front limbs.
Her upper body strength is incredible, and her family jokes that she deserves a gold medal for her gymnastics routine.
The Gatekeeper Of The Stairs
Lola’s medical needs were also carefully managed. To protect her eyes, vets used cryo-freezing to remove the hair follicles on her upper lid and added filler to create a barrier.
With her vision protected and her confidence soaring, she became a "ball of Cuban fire."
She took on a new role in the house as the gatekeeper of the stairs. If anyone tries to pass her without giving her pets, she chirps right at them.
Even the kids know they have to pay the "toll" of saying hi and giving Lola a pet before they can go up.
The Language Of Love
Lola shares her home with a constantly rotating cast of rescue cats, as her family has been fostering and rescuing since before they were married.
Despite her size and physical challenges, Lola is the boss. She keeps all the other cats—and the humans—in line.
In the evenings, when the kids are in bed, Lola seeks out her mom for quiet snuggles.
Her mom still talks to her in Spanish, calling it their "language of love." Seeing Lola transform from a terrified kitten hiding under a couch to a confident, demanding, and loving family member has been the greatest reward.
