Is having your own cat just different?

[virgocatlover]

I've always loved cats. Growing up my family always had cats and they've always been my favourite animal.

But a couple of years I got my OWN cat. And it's just different. I loved my family/childhood cats but my cat is MY cat. He comes to lie next to me on the bed, sits next to me when I'm working. When I've been out all day he runs to greet me and starts excitedly scratching the carpet. No one else has ever been that excited to see me! I'm the person who feeds him, takes care of him and keeps him alive. And in return he gives me affection and companionship that's different to what I can get from a human being. I'm an introvert and mostly like my own company, so I'm not lonely and using him to remedy that.

I don't have kids, so he's the first being I've 'taken care of' so maybe that's why my bond with him is different to anything else I've experienced before with other pets. My family cats didn't really bother with just one person, they floated around the house. When they died I was sad of course, but when something happens to my Dcat I'll be devastated.

Am I a crazy cat lady? I'm not alone with these mad feelings am I?

All my cars are loved and special, but every so often a cat comes along that is your 'soul cat'.

Depends on the cat. They're independent!

My cats don't let on they like me, but it seeps out accidentally when they let their guards down. Your cat sounds fantastic and your worship of him absolutely expected! 😁

I'm the same OP. My cat is always so excited to see me, doesn't hold back with the snuggles and wanting to be with me.

To be honest I wasn't expecting to have quite such an intense relationship! I don't have kids or a partner so it's a very 1-1 situation.

I didn't even used to like cats until we sort of accidentally ended up with two kittens that needed a home. Now I am a fully paid up member of the crazy cat lady gang.

Soul cat ❤️

From a teen the family cats preferred my sister and I to anyone else, we let them sleep in our room and hid them so our mother didn't throw them out at night. I've always had cats as an adult, sister is pet free.

Guess I was always a crazy cat lady. Cats get the reputation for being standoffish so cat love is just better.

I've always had dogs throughout my life but a neighbour moved and left their ginger kitten behind (bastards I know). I took him in because it was breaking my heart but being a dog person I assumed cats were rather cold, independent, cupboard loving creatures.

Well ladies, I am now a very besotted cat owner. He is cuddly and affectionate and (mostly) comes to me when I call his name. He snuggles up to me in bed and runs to meet me at the car when I get home from work. I love him so dearly and I really believe he loves me.

Agree with the soul cat description- not all cats are like this but every now and again you find YOUR cat.
We have 3 cats, all nominally mine!
but one totally belongs to my eldest DD, the newest one has adopted my DH (formerly NOT a cat person but now utterly besotted) and the other one is bit more of a family cat but my DS would be the first choice of lap.
My old cat was my soul cat, she was very special and it took many years to get over her death enough to get another cat

I'm a dog person, never been a massive cat fan, in fact I'm allergic to them. I've had my floofy monster for 3 years and I'm obsessed with him and he's an absolute Mummy's boy!! If there is such a thing as a soul mate, then he is mine 😍

My cat is my favourite thing ever - if l prefer him to dh & dd put together🤣

We said goodbye to my soul cat earlier this year - she was only ten, bastard cancer. It broke my heart, although I am glad that we let her go rather than try to keep her going with a poor prognosis. I loved her so, so much, and she loved me (and DP) too. I’d always been #teamdog, and it was DP who was the cat person, but she was my absolute best girl.

Our new wee ginger boy is creeping into my heart, but as I just heard a commotion and found him battering my expensive lipstick round the kitchen, he has some work to do.

Definitely a soul cat. I lost my boy 4 years ago to a speeding driver. Literally thought my heart was going to break in half. Utter grief. Still grieving now, will never truly get over losing him, he was simply amazing.

3 cats now (all indoor) and they're all incredible but so different in their own ways. Love them to bits but not as much as I loved my boy. He was mine. Raised him from 5 wks old, found him wandering. Didn't think he'd even survive.

I’ve been fostering for 2 years now & have loved all of them but haven’t met MY cat yet. When I do it will be time to stop.

I’m still in touch with most of the people who adopted my ex-fosters & at least three of them appear to have that soul connection. It’s so lovely to see.

I could have written this, except cats didn't come into my life till adulthood!
If you are crazy then I am with you, and it's a great place to be!

Agree! I have felt deep affection and love for a lot of cats but my late, very much lamented, little Pud was my soul cat, never knew pain like it when I knew it was time for him to go though as others have said, it was a final kindness for my little love

Like a couple of other posters I am single and live alone, and have a ludicrously intense relationship with my extremely affectionate cat

I've always loved cats but was allergic to them as a child so thought I'd never be able to have my own. Turns out one of the unexpected advantages of middle age is that allergies can lessen! And Covid meant I now work from home 3 days a week so have the time to devote to a cat. I feel very lucky!

I definitely believe that some cats find a place in your heart. I lost my cat to cancer earlier this month and it was the hardest loss. I feel like some cats just look into your soul and form a special bond. She was such a lovely friend and I will miss her always. I’ve had other visiting cats that I’ve befriended and cared for but having my own cat was different because she was here all the time and was good company.

I find it really weird when my parents re are visiting, that they are mine. And I know them best and what the want!

I have definitely had soul cats before.

My cat is my soul cat ❤️ I thought a cat I had in the 80s was “The One” but this is on a different level. I ❤️him and he ❤️ me. He’s perfect for us x

Ah, well now, you see... @virgocatlover there's something we need to get straight.

He is not your cat.

You are his human. Know your place.

😂

I get this!

Growing up we always had rabbits that I loved so, so dearly, my grandma had a dog who I loved to bits, would walk and play with all the time, but NOTHING has come close to the cat who I adopted when I was 31. I was never a cat person but she just wandered into my house one day near the start of the first lockdown, and never left. I tracked down her owner on a local fb group, and her owner said I could have her if I want her.
She is the most gorgeous little girl, she loves me so much, follows me around, the second I sit on the sofa she jumps up on me for cuddles etc etc. I met my boyfriend a year later and luckily he loves her just as much as I do, we are both besotted, she is just the most amazing little companion and I love seeing her every morning and when I get home from work etc.

I get exactly what you mean when you say your cat is the first one you’ve had to take care of etc, as I feel that too. When I was younger, i classed pets as being “mine” but ultimately tney were my parents responsibility. Whereas my cat now is my responsibility, her food, shelter, safety, well-being and vets visits are all down to me, and I do think this gives you an added feeling of closeness to them for sure.

Nothing wrong with crazy cat ladies.