I feel a little guilty. I have posted a couple of times about dogs and how they can be wonderful for people with MS, both as service animals and as loving companions. However, I realize that many of you have cats that make your life a little more wonderful.
Although I have not owned a cat in a long time, I do remember the comfort that a purring cat could bring to me when I was under stress or sad. When I had bouts of insomnia, having a cat snuggled up next to me would work wonders in helping me "let go" of worrisome thoughts, allowing me to drift off to sleep.
I have also noticed that cats tend to come into people's lives in unusual ways, sometimes just when they are needed to fill a gap or bring some happiness.
What about you? Do you have a cat that lifts your spirits? Does your cat make you forget about your symptoms (or make you feel them a little less) sometimes? How did you get your cat? Tell us about your cat in the comment section below.
I’m 35 years old & have known that I have MS for almost 5 yrs. I got my 1st cat when I left home at 17, Simba, she’s been my best friend ever since. I’ve suffered from depression all my life & I can say for 100%, that many times over the years, my animals kept me sane.
I had to go on disability from work, a couple yrs ago & it’s really, really hard to no longer have a purpose. I can tell u it didn’t improve the depression. But one thing really has & it’s something I was deadset against, for all the right reasons, I must add. About 10 months ago my husband on a whim, went & got a puppy (always been a cat person myself). Ill be straightforward, i can’t picture my life without her. She has me smiling, playing, running & walking everday. Even on those days I would normally not get out of bed,now, I do…& not bc I have to anymore; bc I want to. My pets give me purpose.
Four years ago I decided it was time for me to adopt a pet. Since I live in a condo development dogs are not permitted. So I decided to adopt a four week old kitten who I named Lucy…that’s right Ricky I named her Lucy because of all the laughter your Lucy brought me.
It was one of the best decisions I ever made. For the first year it was just Lucy and myself so we bonded very quickly. Her calming purring is what I needed as I was all alone. She has become the most loving cat I have ever known and still loves me uncondtionally.
I have always had cats, but due to the fact i live in rented accomodation and the landlord does not like pets, was not able to keep mine, I now have been diagnosed with MS and feel that having a cat back in my life will keep me calm as well as provide comfort on those nights i can not sleep! I really do believe that all pets can be therapeutic and a welcome addition to anyone that has room for them!
I have always had very physical work, that is until m.s entered my life at 25,not only did i feel like a non productive member of society,but i was told that by my partner of 14 yrs as well!To make a long story short,I’ve left the mental abuse.My14 yr old cat Percy is with me and my 4yr old daughter(my motivation)Thanks to my dependable cat who was there for me when i was suffering m.s attacks and helping me through tough times(unknowingly) and giving me back the selfesteem to be the best single mom that I can be!
Interesting perhaps that your article is dated Jan. 18 since that is the date eleven years ago our cat came to us. My wife believes he was sent by an angel…we named him Joseph because he was looking for shelter. On that day there was hard packed snow that had been on the ground since before Thanksgiving and it was very cold. I went outside and just said “here kitty” and he attached himself to me. We had some cat food from an earlier visit from our daughters cats and after being fed he had no desire to leave. He has gone from 9 to 18 lbs. in these comfortable years. When my MS diagnosis came we were both certain Joseph was indeed sent by an angel since he provided so much comfort.
Wow, cats are great healers. My current cat Kabuki chose me I was working at a vet hospital and he was a rescue. When I came to work in the morning this kitten was meowing I walked over and said shh honey. He got quiet. Whenever I left the room he started to meow I would walk back in and he would be quiet. My boss said he was mine. That was in May 2003. Whenever I feel sick or down he comes to me. The funny thing is the one time I was in the hospital he sat by the front door until I came home. He is so awesome!!!!!!
Animals are wonderful and wondrous creatures to have around us. I love both cats and dogs — and bats, rats, ferrets, et cetera, ad infinitum! — but having to walk a dog when I have MS just doesn’t sound like a good idea. So we found one who lifted up her head to smile at me when I first saw her in her cage. She came home with us, to be named Moxie, and she lives out that name perfectly! She’s been with us for more than 2 years now, and she’s just wonderful to have here. I only wish that *I* could purr like she does, but so it goes, so it goes…
I absolutely adore my cats! They give me a definite feeling of peace and comfort. I had a bout of severe vertigo in December of 2010-around the same time one of my beloved cats, Bodie developed liver disease and two weeks later, passed away. In a MRI scan from December of 2011, my neurologist discovered that the vertigo was actually caused by new lesions that had formed in my brain. I attribute that happening due to the stress of losing my sweet, furry friend!
We named him Zazu Grayson. He has been a member of our family now for just over six months. He is such a charmer and we are training him to do tricks by using a clicker and treats. He sleeps in my arms every night. It makes dealing with my sporadic yet uncomfortable MS symptoms so much easier to bear.
Feeling lost and very depressed, I volunteered to open my home to foster kittens for the SPCA. At that time we still had four other cats (one was actually Bodie’s mom-Kitters). However, within five months, my husband showed up at my worksite with the tiniest little gray kitten in his hands. I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on him.
Wow…you wrote this article about me!! I was diagnosed with MS in Sept. 2010, finally escaped an abusive marriage the next month & moved back “home,” & also medically retired (due to MS) after a 20-year nursing career. It was a sad time for me. Not long after my son & I moved “home,” the most beautiful, green-eyed cat just “showed up!” I named her Jade in honor of her exquisitely gorgeous eyes. Then a few months after she joined out family, we rescued a teensy weensy baby kitten that had been abandoned at a river near our home. We bottle-fed her & I wasn’t sure she was going to make it. But she thrived & is a most-loved addition. She is Sylvia…I can’t imagine not having those sweet furbabies!! =)
I work full time, have MS, and don’t have one cat, I have 4. Aside from the fact that I have fallen over a well meant leg rub, before, they are a true comfort in my life.
When I am in bed for days at a time they all take turns checking on their ‘mommy’, laying with me in the bed even though their ‘daddy’ is taking perfectly good care of them, they still miss their ‘mommy’.