The benefits of adopting a cat

“The first eight months of my life were spent in an overcrowded, understaffed Romanian Orphanage. I stayed there until I was adopted by Isabel. This might sound like a fairytale beginning, but it was the start of a very unwanted life. Growing up I never felt I belonged anywhere  There was daily abuse. Anything that would cause pain or injury I would be hit with. I was rejected by all of those who raised me.” My Beautiful Trauma

Growing up I had always wanted kids, as I have got older, I was drawn to adoption, understanding that there were so many children who were in Orphanages, needing a loving home that I wanted to give them. However as I get older, my illnesses have made me sicker, realising that I may not be able to have my own kid, or too sick to adopt.  “ As a consequence of the stroke I suffered in 2012, aged 22, my INR (is a standardized number that's figured out in the lab. If you take blood thinners, also called anti-clotting medicines or anticoagulants, it may be important to check your INR.) has to be higher than average. This meant I started bleeding uncontrollably from my uterus. It started with heavy periods, and I would regularly wake up to find I had bled through two layers of sheets. As a 25 year old I had to undergo a hysterectomy. I had to grieve the loss of what some people claim to be the means of womanhood, and not being able to have children naturally!”. My Beautiful Trauma

Most of my friends are married and Children. Each time they have told me they’re having children, I feel the loss all over again. I do love all of my nieces and nephews! It’s one of the reasons I adopted Annie and Daisy, having unconditional love, and caring for her. She helps when I suffer from my FND’s (Functional Neurological Seizures),allowing me to focus on them which often helps the seizures to pass quickly. A good website that explains the disorder https://www.neurosymptoms.org

I adopted Annie in 2019, but she passed away a week before Christmas from Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP),  “a strain of the coronavirus that attacks the body., that is fatal”  (pets.webmd.com ) It broke my heart.

At the beginning of 2020 I adopted ‘crazy’ Daisy! She is the love of my life and yes she’s my baby girl!

In September I was admitted to hospital with pneumonia, I panicked about how Daisy was going to be, and who would check in and feed her. I asked a friend who also owns a cat, but Daisy had never met her. My friend came to meet her, but due to me, being unable to breathe, an ambulance had to be called. Daisy had only met my friend for roughly 10-15 minutes before I was taken to the hospital with the paramedics. Daisy Daisy hissed at my friend. 

We have been slowly getting Daisy used to my friend, however one night I was having seizure after seizure, I needed to get to a seat. My friend was helping, and Daisy hissed at her. My friend stated that Daisy was stressed because she picked up my distress while having the seizures. 

The Benefits of adopting a cat

Owning a cat is better for the environment

Cats do not eat much, therefore reduces carbon footprints

 They help you cope 

Cats serve as social support during traumatic events. Most pet owners share their feelings and life events to their cat because it’s  easier to talk to something that won’t respond and can’t judge than to another human being.

You’ll have a healthy heart, because cats can help with stress

Owning any pet is good for your heart. Cats in particular lower your stress levels because they don’t require as much effort as dogs—and lower the amount of anxiety in your life. Petting a cat has a positive calming effect. One study found that over a 10-year period cat owners are less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than non-cat owners .

Cats fulfill your need for companionship

Cats can read human facial expressions, and they learn this ability over time An Austrian study conducted in 2003 found that having a cat in the house is the emotional equivalent of having a romantic partner. As well as initiating contact much of the time, studies have shown cats will remember kindness shown to them and return the favor later.

 Cats understand the importance of  their relationships, with their owner and others who are important to their owner. (Daisy loves showing affection to my carers because they come on a weekly basis), so she is familiar with them, as she is aware they are a big part of my life.

They can tell you (and others!) a lot about your personality.

They sense the difference between people  who have a positive personality, to those who come across as toxic, An example of this is, I had a friend who came over, and Daisy sized her up, realising she is a safe person for me. Daisy showed her affection which she also do to my carers.

You’ll sleep better 

Most cats have a calming effect, especially when they see their owner is snuggled up in bed, and ready for bed. Most cat owners sleep better with their cat beside them. Daisy always comes into my bed around the time I am ‘winding down’ for the day, she curls up either beside me, or on me, I have noticed that I do sleep a lot better having Daisy.

They can quite literally save your life.

Cats can help when you are feeling depressed, or while you’re sick because they are good at picking up their owners' stress levels . Whenever I have a seizure, and there's no one else around, Daisy stays beside me, keeping me calm, till help arrived

Head to your local animal shelter and adopt one!