This was a refreshing article to read.  I rescued a "less than ideal" female cat from an animal shelter four years ago.  She was in a "foster home" as she "didn't do well with the other cats" at the shelter.  We were told "she isn't going to be a lap cat...", "you won't be picking her up".  Actually two animal shelter works looked at each other and asked incredulously if we were actually picking up this particular cat!  This article is so right on, that once the less-than-idea kitty gets a chance to be herself, “Then they’re more open to human interaction because they feel more confident.” Within 48 hours, she was siting alongside us on the couch, and we now play hide 'n seek, carry her around, and have regular routines, even "talk" to each other!  We had a rat that wanted to reside on our back patio a couple years ago and she immediately "took care of it in cat style".  She makes me laugh SO hard that I actually cry tears!  We just love her to pieces! Thanks Kristen, for your article.