Did you see the Winter Olympics? Did you notice that I was not there? I was a young aspiring ice dancer - tiny but talented - praised by everyone who saw me skate in my little Siberian village. I was headed for the Olympic trials, hoping to represent Russia in Vancouver. Alas, I had an accident. I fell badly on the ice. My ear and face were frostbitten. I broke a couple of teeth. Someone found me all alone in a snowbank. Suddenly I had no fame and glory; I just needed to survive.

Please forgive me if I'm a bit shy. I am still the small, sweet tortie girl that I have always been. But it's not easy to go from acclaim and possible fame to a kennel! Someday, perhaps, I'd like to dance and skate again - but only on your kitchen floor. Never again ice and frostbite. And I'd rather be a tortie than in a tutu. I saw the Russian dancers who made it to Vancouver - they had leaves in their skate shoes! Oh my! I'm ready to be ordinary Valintina - a lap cat, a tiny girl, a sweet friend to sweet people. I'm a little battered from my accident, but I am still my same loving little self.

Love me? Would you love me? I'll tell you a secret - I like to sleep under the bed covers with people. Would you let me do that? I think I'm recovering just talking to you about myself. I am feeling good. See this feathery toy? It matches my colors nicely, don't you think? It's my comfort right now, but I know that I need my people. People who will love me for my good heart and my little purr. People who don't care that I never won a medal. People who might let me sit in their laps and sleep under their covers - and, four years from now, let me watch the ice dancers again.

I am Valintina. I am goodhearted. See my bright eyes watching everything and hoping for a safe, warm future. Would you bring me that safe warm future? At your place? With you? I am just a tiny dancer, and I need a home. That's really all there is, I think. Oh, do rescue me for forever - only $100 takes away my loneliness - and yours, too.

PS: I currently reside at THE SHELTER (not in foster care). If you can't stop in but would like to know more about me, please call 651-642-5900, ext.3. Thanks!

For more information about Feline Rescue, Inc. and a complete listing of our available cats, go to the Feline Rescue website. If you'd like to hear more Feline Rescue stories and see more pictures of our cats, check out the Feline Rescue Blog!