Tuesday's question - Cats, anyone?

MarcieB
MarcieB Member Posts: 527
edited April 2021 in General Cancer
Some of us have cats. And some of us have dogs, birds, iguanas, turtles...? My question is; Do they play a role in your well-being? I have long thought of cats as being natural empaths. My cat responds to a sniffle. If I weep he is on my lap in three seconds flat. I had a dog who would come from anywhere in the house and rest his head on my knee when I cried. And he would look at me with very sympathetic eyes (which is one thing dogs can do and cats would if they could).Legaljen has posted a picture of her cat that makes her laugh, Bananas, on the inboard, and I am about to post my cat, Rocky, there also. I invite you to share your stories and/or your pictures, and lets celebrate those non-human care-givers in our families! Making us laugh, and feel loved is huge. Who else thinks so?

Comments

  • ChildOfGod4570
    ChildOfGod4570 Member Posts: 100
    edited April 2021
    Oh yes, I have a cat, and he is the best companion I could ever have! He kept me company during last year's loc-down, and I thank God I adopted him before the pandemic hit! When I was going through my cancer journey, I had another cat, who had crossed the Rainbow Bridge in December of 2019. She was there when I was sick as all get out from chemo, and she was my faithful roommate through the journey and my move. Sadly, she was very old and didn't have much of a quality of life near the end. I say pets are a God send when you're feeling lonesome or sick. In fact, when I first got diagnosed, my pastor's dog didn't leave my lap for hours! I jokingly called her my doggy nurse! HUGS and God bless.
  • Horselady46
    Horselady46 Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2021
    I have 3 cats, 2 dogs, 2 horses and a whole lot of chickens. They all helped me through surgery, chemo and still help me today. When down I just go out to the barn and hug a horse and watch the antics of the chickens. In fact when I go out to feed I am met by a flock of chickens cackling and saying hi. In the house my cats are always there on my lap or snuggled in bed with me along with the dogs. I couldn't live without them.
    I was told by my oncologist that I did really great going through all of this stuff and she hasn't seen anyone do as good as me. I told her it is because of the animals around me.
  • TerriL
    TerriL Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2021
    I have 3 dogs, 6 birds, 2 guinea pigs and a hamster. LOL. I have to say that my handfed cockatiel was the best company! He stayed with me while I spent time on the couch recovering from chemo. I think having pets really helped me stay sane.
  • KB2013
    KB2013 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2021
    Oh, yes. Cats are smooth operators indeed; appearing aloof, barely tolerating your presence until they need food or are suddenly frightened and seeking protection. I have had them for many years and my oldest is almost human — lol.
  • Molly72
    Molly72 Member Posts: 227
    edited April 2021
    I have 2 cats that of course are protectors of the house. They guard against mice, moths, and the dreaded flies! My neighbor's cats guard the outside of the house from chipmunks and an occasional snake!
    I have a friend who loves animals so much that she has been known to put out a platter of leftovers from dinner for the neighborhood raccoons! If no leftovers, she actually butters slices of bread for them. This is not a good idea, but who am I to complain?
  • Lorie
    Lorie Member Posts: 78
    edited April 2021
    I'm snickering now because this post is so relevant to me.I'm laying in bed reading the morning newspaper and my legs are getting numb and going to sleep because there is a cat leaning on them and if I move I will wake him up. The reason I'm hesitant to move is because he was born next door to a feral mother in the yard next door and I've befriended him. He comes in every morning, has breakfast, and then himself and takes a nap and has to be right next to me. I find that odd because I've had cats all my life and they would sleep with me but never totally right next to me.. he's welcome to live with me but the Call of the Wild in him. Hopefully he will be coming indoor cat as he ages. I've had him and his two siblings fix so there will be no more kittens
  • Carool
    Carool Member Posts: 787
    edited April 2021
    I feel soooo envious of all of you! Waaah! I love animals but can’t have any. Bunches of cats, dogs!?! My animals are all on video, except for my beloved plush dog and two other plushies. Ideally, I’d have three cats and a dog. In my next life....
  • Carol1286
    Carol1286 Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2021
    I have 3 cats. They are my babies. One is almost 9 years old, the other 2 are 8 years old. 2 boys and 1 girl. She's my husband's supervisor when I'm at work. She makes sure he cleans and puts things back where it belongs. She tells me when I get home if something isn't just right. She sleeps next to me and one of the boys sleeps at my feet. The older one sleeps on the cedar chest at the window. I love all of them.