When Maureen and her husband moved into their new home in December 2022, they couldn’t wait to start making it their own. Between unpacking boxes and planning cozy renovations for themselves — and their two indoor cats, Maximus and Chloe — they were dreaming of new beginnings.
But the very next morning, something unexpected appeared on their porch: a plump orange cat staring straight through their window.
“This beautiful orange cat looked right at me through the glass,” Maureen told The Dodo. “We locked eyes, and I just knew he was special. I had a feeling we’d be seeing each other again.”
She was right.
Day after day, the mysterious cat — soon nicknamed Oranges — showed up on their porch. At first, he’d dart away as soon as food was set down, but he always came back. Over time, his fear softened into curiosity.
By summer, Oranges had made the Friedbergs’ porch his own. He lounged on their rocking chair, watching them work on house projects, waiting patiently for his next meal.
“Eventually, he didn’t run when I brought out his food,” Maureen said. “He would sleep on the porch like he belonged there.”
The Friedbergs had fallen completely in love. They dreamed of the day Oranges would trust them enough to come inside — but when autumn came and the temperatures dropped, it became clear that he still wasn’t ready.
“We just knew he couldn’t sleep outside all winter,” Maureen said.
So her husband came up with a plan: if Oranges wouldn’t come into their house, they’d build one just for him.
Over the next month, he poured his heart into the project — crafting a miniature, insulated home with real shingles, a little front porch, and even a heated bedroom.
The couple installed motion-sensor cameras so they could check in on him, then hung a sign by the tiny door that read Oranges’ Home.
The first night it was ready, they waited and watched.
“It only took one night for Oranges to crawl inside,” Maureen said. “It brought me to tears. He loved it.”
Since then, Oranges has spent nearly every cold night curled up in his warm little house — sometimes sleeping belly-up, completely at peace.
“I love seeing him on camera, walking up to his house and climbing in,” Maureen said. “He knows it’s his home.”
The Friedbergs are still patiently earning his trust, hoping that one day soon, Oranges will feel ready to come inside for good. But for now, he’s safe, warm, and deeply loved — and that’s all that matters.
“I really look forward to the moment when he can just be a cat,” Maureen said softly. “Lying on the couch or the bed, sleeping soundly, knowing he’s loved. I want him to feel what it’s like to finally belong.”
