Next week will mark four years since my cat moved in.

We met at the animal shelter and I can't bring myself to say that I rescued her as I am quite sure it has been the other way round.

I was utterly floored by an acute health issue this week, over and above my usual chronic issues, and found myself having to go back to bed. A situation I found deeply frustrating.

On more than one occasion I opened my eyes to see my furry friend stretched out next to me and noticed she was purring gently. I read somewhere that cats don't just purr when being fussed by their human, but they also self soothe when they are ill or in pain by purring to themselves. Despite feeling awful it made me smile to have her keeping me company and the purring made me think that she was doing her best to take care of me.

Not long after she moved in we discovered that she has long term health issues of her own, which necessitate frequent trips to the vets. As a re-homed cat no matter how often we go I still have to explain the concepts of 'home' and 'forever human' to her whenever we get back. But when we are there I am her safe person, protecting her. As I am whenever there are scary noises at home.

When I wake up in the morning she races in to see me, demanding a fuss, saying good morning. She tells me when it is time I went to bed and she rushes up to tell me she misses me when I've been out. She knows when I should take a break and demands I stop what I am doing and fuss her. Sometimes she comes and sits next to me, just because she wants my company.

She came into my life not long after things seemed at their darkest and she makes me smile, even when I don't think I want to and is always pleased to see me, no matter how I feel or how I look.

The purring might have been a giveaway this week but she looks after me every bit as much as I look after her. You see what I meant about who rescued whom?!

Lou

A Moodscope member.