Miles. Getting a photo of him would have been impossible in the past. Now, we're best buddies!

Lorrie Shaw | Contributor

On Monday, I started taking care of two clients of mine, whom I've worked with for a couple of years now. Their mama went out of town for a few days and I am fortunate enough to care for her two sweet cats for the duration. I'll typically see them at least four or five times per year, each for differing lengths of time.

Pierre is a big, gray domestic shorthair with seafoam green eyes and a handsome white patch on his chest. He's very distinguished looking and has a jovial disposition. He's a straightforward kind of fella, and he loves my attention and has a purposeful swagger. No beating around the bush for him!

Miles has a tendency to be more subdued, which isn't unusual for kitties, especially when their people are away. Shiny, jet black hair, long whiskers and gorgeous golden eyes, he has a calm sweetness to him. For the first year or so after I came into his life, Miles would hide under the bed and peer out cautiously when I came for his daily visit. I would have to crawl on the floor and raise the bedskirt to get a look at him. His owner noted that he is very shy around others and not to be too concerned, as long as he looked well.

I'm always careful with the energy that I give off, the intonation of my voice and even the way that I walk around the house. Cats especially are sensitive to the actions of those outside their "circle" when their space is invaded, and Miles was no exception. I unsuccessfully tried bribing him with sweet talk, treats, and promises of belly rubs and ear scratches. While I was on the phone one day with his owner for a daily check-in while she was away, she suggested showing him his brush. "He loves getting brushed! I am willing to bet that he'll come out and stick to you like glue if you show him that you've got his brush."

She was right.

At first, he wasn't too warm to the idea so I enlisted the assistance of Pierre to demonstrate to Miles that I was trustworthy. Pierre purred as I began brushing him next to the bed and after a few minutes, I saw two golden eyes peek out from under the bedskirt. Then, Miles, crawling on his underside, crept ever closer to confirm what he was seeing. Pierre, by this point, was purring so loud that I thought he might burst! I'm certain he knew that he was helping draw his housemate out of his shell. I shifted from one cat to the other, just allowing Miles to rub up against the brush and within a few minutes it was like, "Brush my tummy, please!"

Since then, I grab the brush immediately and softly announce myself. Miles pads out quietly and makes his way to my lap.

Monday was different.

Upon opening the door, a sleepy looking Pierre greeted me with his usual approval and a yawn from his perch on the window seat. Miles bolted down the stairs and jumped in front of me with no apprehension. He circled my legs, looked up, and meowed. I was in utter disbelief. I had been working to gain his trust for nearly two long years and now he handed it to me willingly. The feeling was unbelievable. I will never take the trust that he has in me for granted. I worked hard for it and I know that he did, too.

Lorrie Shaw is a pet blogger, a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com and owner of Professional Pet Sitting, and has extensive experience with animals including dogs, amphibians, exotic birds and of course, cats. Contact her via e-mail.