We have a cat... named Kitty... original?
She is 15 and was a grouch for the first 12 years of her life, until Caitlin stopped being afraid of her. Then Caitlin won over the grouchy Kitty. And Kitty joined the family... and even leaves our room now, and asks for cuddles, and follows us into the bathroom.
Caitlin is the Kitty whisperer.
As a side note, I've been trying to get "Kitty" as my nickname (as in the character Kitty from That 70's Show, she's hilarious!). My family is not cooperating, but I've got three friends that call my Kitty... and I l-o-v-e it!