Oreo

The owner pointed toward the back when we asked about the cat. "The famous Oreo. The cat with thumbs."

Oreo came out. Black and white, stocky. A few customers came over when they saw us photographing him. They wanted to see the paws up close.

His paws stopped me cold. Massive, with extra toes that looked like thumbs. Polydactyl. While Gulce shot, we watched Oreo grip the counter edge with those thumbs, anchoring himself when someone reached down to pet him.

The owner said Oreo used to live in someone's home, but there were problems and he ended up at the store four years ago. Now customers come just to see him. He likes to eat. The owner joked about his appetite. He tolerates people well, though he will give a warning bite if you push it.

After we finished, the owner asked if we could help find someone to groom Oreo. We posted on Instagram and got a dozen responses. Michelladonna and The Shop Cats Show crew handled it, posting a video that showed Oreo gripping the table with those toes while they bathed him.

The West 47th Street Block Association once held a "Best Bodega Cat" contest. Oreo won. Beat out cats from all five boroughs. On his block, nobody was surprised.

Four years in the store, and he is still the one people cross the street to meet. Not because of the thumbs. Because of what he does with them. He holds on.