I was supposed to have a check up with my cardio today, but learned on arrival that I'd been scheduled for his day off. So much for that plan.
Instead of reporting on that, here's my tale of AF and kitties.
The kitty on the right is Ella. I had her for 12 years and she was the sweetest, most caring cat. 5 years ago, I nursed her through her final weeks as she was dying. I was teaching at the time; I told her that if she was ready to go, I'd be fine. But if she wouldn't mind waiting till the end of the semester, I'd appreciate it. She died at 11 pm the last day of the semester, right next to me. We had that kind of bond. She'd seen me through a lot of difficult times, licking my tears as I grieved my mother's death.
It was 2 months after she died that I was diagnosed with AF and the next months were very challenging. I had my first ablation that December, and fortunately, the AF did stop. I still had $150,000 in medical bills to contend with, but was glad the episodes had stopped. I missed Ella terribly.
Two years ago, I decided to explore getting another cat and checked out a few options, none of which was a good fit.
Then at Christmastime, I went into San Francisco to see a show and decided to stop by Macy's and see the beautiful Christmas windows. Each year, the SF SPCA (animal shelter) brings puppies and kittens to spend time in the festively decorated windows in order to encourage adoptions. They are always adorable and I delighted in them.
As I was leaving, a volunteer told me that there were more kittens in the back. I found myself wandering into the crowded department store and landing in what was basically a storage closet that was housing the "back up" kitties to rotate into the windows. Volunteers and others were there. I stopped in front of the last cage and saw at eye level the name tag of the kitten: "Nella."
How interesting! Nella. I had had Ella. Then I looked closely at the kitten....and was stunned to see that she was the spitting image of Ella.
3-month-old Nella let me hold her for an hour as I talked to the volunteer about what's involved with raising a kitten. I had not intended to go home with a 3-month-old kitten, but I was clearly smitten. She'd picked me.
I slept on it, went back to the shelter to see if she was still available the next day, and the rest is history!
As you may have guessed by now, the kitty on the left is Nella. She's now 2 years old and has helped me deal with AF by keeping me entertained with her antics as well as curling up next to me in the evening and at night.
I'm particularly fond of her little "beauty mark" on her chin. 😻😹
4 paws of any kind are so sensitive to how we feel. I have a dog from a rescue who has taught me so much as he had a poor start and is still challenging but we have a close bond.
A lovely post Nella. We have spoken before about the amazing coincidences and we know from our own experiences, just how close we can become to our pets because they really are part of the family. Let’s hope Nella continues to bring you joy and therapy for many years..........
A lovely Kitty story for us of two absolute beauties!
Ella's black eyes lead me to believe that she was not overly happy to have her photo taken that day. Nella's, looks questioning like she's asking, 'What are you doing mum?'
I used to have a black and white cat called Whisky. He was huge and thought he was the boss of the house and we'd always find him waiting to tell us off, on our return, when we went out. A more loving cat couldn't be found, he'd want to curl up under our neck with a paw either side as though giving a hug.
How annoying though, about your wasted visit to see your absent cardiologist. I hope you didn't have to travel far?
I have a Lhasa Apso, had her for 10 years come Feb, from weaned. She's been there through the death of her sister from the same litter aged only 3..... to my marriage break up moving house twice starting a family toddlers and babies! She has been the one constant (apart from my job) for a decade.
She is very perceptive herself. When I've been ill she's been glued to me... when I've been upset and crying at the marriage thing she spooned me at night, constantly lay along my back when I was sleeping on my side for years.
On one occasion where I was carted off in an ambulance she destroyed the carpet in my dining room because she thought it was the end and she was forgotten.
She can tell when I'm not well, she can tell when people are anxious, and she can tell when people are strangers by my body language towards them at the door or out and about.
My first experience of AF resulted in an overnight hospital stay. When I eventually arrived home my tabby cat, Kiri, was sat on the doorstep. The look she gave me spoke volumes - " Where the Hell have you been?"
I notice that you’re in California. In 2004 we got 2 rescue Maine Coon kitties from the hills in Scott’s Valley. I’d just started chemo, and these kitties were a great source of comfort, and would nap next to me. We then moved to Connecticut. Since 2014 we’ve lived in Lichfield ( my birthplace) and Clara and Poppy are now 14 1/2 years old! My chemo medical bills were OK, but I know the prices have quintupled. Clara was the runt of the litter, but she’s the boss cat !
According to Stanford University, it was the ( dose dense) chemo that caused my first episode of AF, but I’m fine and so are our little treasures. 😺😺
Made to be soulmates! What a lovely story, thank you for sharing and illustrating of how a bond with animals can help us cope with our trials and tribulations.
My cat, sadly now demised, was a big brute of TopCat type and bullied all the local cats and went into their homes - no keeping him out even with those collar gizmos. He once teased me by sitting in the window of my neighbours who had 2 elderly cats who didn’t go out - for fear of being bullied. I knew he had eaten their food but could I get him to come out or stop?
He hated being petted, no-one dares trying to pick him up more than once, the vet was terrified of him as he shredded the skin on her arms and hands several times. He brought in every type of animal & creature he could find, he was a great ratter - thankfully he would always kill those first before depositing on the mat as my ‘present’
But he always knew when I was down, upset or ill and wouldn’t leave me and those were the only times he would sit in my lap or lie beside me.
Wonderful story, and how amazing that Nella looks the reincarnation of Ella! When I had cats they sat with me through the night when I was in labour with my first daughter. I had sent my husband to bed as I wanted to be alone but the cats, all three of them, refused to leave my side. Now I have a dog that is my little companion on my long walks. I wouldn't be without an animal in my life, for me they make the world a better place.
How wonderful. Cats find me Nella too. I was adopted by three feral cats who lived in an old air raid shelter on the factory estate where I had my race shop around 1984. One by one I caught them and took them home. giving anti everything medication. Being a great fan of Blackadder they were called Edmund, Qeenie and Baldrick. Everybody told us we would never domesticate them but my wife and love proved otherwise. Baldrick in particular was the loveliest chap who would let you blow raspberries on his tummy. Eventually one by one they died and with a house move on the horizon we held off getting any more till be had moved down here to Devon. Up the lane from us is a cattery! One day the lady rang us to ask if we had lost a cat as a young male had turned up an announced in their yard. Later that day we came back with three. Nell and her daughter Ally (from Ally Macbeal) and Eddie who had caused it all. Nell and Ally are still with us although Eddie died last year from breathing problems . A few years ago I nursed Ally through a broken pelvis after she was hit by a car. We spent ours in a large dog cage to restrict her movement as I gave her pain medication and special drugs to help her recover which she did quite fully . Nell is just like your Ella and Nella but is fading daily and on paliative care only. Along the way we also had another rescue cat Ginger who did a Capian Oats one night and now Pete who is a blonde ginger who sleeps on our bed most nights. I can't imagine life without cats.
My last cat was a 'rescue' cat - a very fierce ginger Tom. Like most cats he was very sensitive to atmosphere and could also sense when someone's body wasn't 'rignt'. Normally he would pounce on me when he entered my bedroom but when I had an abdominal operation he stopped at the door, sniffed and then approached me very slowly and cautiously, then nestled very gently against me. When my friend who had prosthetic legs from the hips came to visit he stopped at the door, stiffened and thought for a few moments, then marched up to her and walked straight up her outstretched leg as if it was a log!
A lovely story! Animals are such good non judgemental compainions.We had a rescue cat called Solo,totally black.My son Ross adored her especially,and we were all heartbroken when she got run over.Off to the rescue centre for another black cat,came back with two,one black and one pale grey,they were cuddled up together...We lost Hendrix 3 years ago aged 12 and Ozzy mourned him so much,as we all did.Ozzy still going strong though and bosses our elderly Golden Retriever Monty around!
Hope you get to see your medic soon!
How lovely ! Both kitties gorgeous. I particularly love black and whites. Nella is so like my 14 year old Daisy. We have always had cats in our 50 year marriage and can't imagine being cat free even though we have had many incidents and a few accidents during this time. The worse was my Bengal cross getting run over ( by daughter !) and having leg amputation. Unfortunately she could never come to terms with losing the leg and used to howl and circle around as if she was looking for it. I felt a particular bond with Molly having nursed her closely through this.
Sorry you didn't get to see your Doc - I jsut love it when things like that happen - mind I too have been known to arrive at the hospital on the wrong day! LOL! Love the photos of your kitties. They are both beautiful. I no longer have a furry friend of my own but we cat sit for friends during school holidays. They have two cats. A charming Ginger Gentleman called Tiger who is 10 years old, and a feisty white, ginger and black lady called Lara who is about 7 years old. We are going there next week for half term and I can't wait to see them. Our next door neighbour has a little chocolate brown spaniel puppy called Daisy who is just adorable and our firends down the road have a patterdale terrier called Emma and a yorkshire terrier puppy called Tilly so we just visit when we need some furry friendship!
It is a long time since we have visited SF. We used to go to Lake Tahoe skiing and meet up with both my sons - one of whom lives in the US - the rest of the family live in the UK.
Enjoy your kitties and I hope you and your cardio can organise a meeting soon.
Thanks, Desanthony. It's just one kitty, the one on the left. The wild thing about the story is that Ella (on the right) died, and Nella (perhaps "New Ella") magically appeared!
Animals are so wonderful, aren't they? Before Nella appeared, I encountered Hannibal, known in the neighborhood as a "Destination Kitty." He hangs out outside his house and if you stop there long enough, you'll find him up on your shoulder, giving hugs. One time another neighbor was finishing up her visit with him as I appeared. She, too, had lost a beloved kitty. Hannibal was up to the task of providing kitty comfort for the kitty bereaved of the neighborhood. I shared about him on our neighborhood social network site (Nextdoor.com) and many others shared similar Hannibal stories.
I'm thinking that the cardio scheduling snafu is a blessing. A month ago, I saw this cardio. I told him I'd been feeling a bit on my own since the ablation last Dec (true! hadn't seen him in 9 mos), so I think he must've felt the need to track me more. He wanted me to return in a month, which was Thursday. Then the office called to say he'd be out of town, so let's reschedule. I said I'd prefer to wait a while so I can sort out my Flecainide dose. Nope, they insisted I come in. OK. I called and promptly got scheduled by the after-hours scheduler on the cardio's day off.
But I've done some research and think I will look into a second opinion by a female cardiologist (a rarity!) I just discovered. Why not, I figure.
Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments and tales of animal love. Nella is touched!
When I'm feeling down or having a hard time, if I can manage to remember how Nella magically appeared in my life, I feel hopeful and remember that life can change for the better in an instant. I also manage to remember that what led to our connection was my choice to go and do something fun that I loved to do. I'm a big fan of Broadway musicals and it was the decision to go see the King and I that brought us together.
I was very fortunate to be able to get tickets to Hamilton when it was in SF last year. What a thrill! The dash to the train resulted in an AF episode, but I was absolutely determined not to let anything interfere with the experience. The episode stopped as the show began - ha!
Afterwards, I played with the photo filters on the Hamilton app and shot one of Nella looking like King George III. I tweeted it to Rory O'Malley, the actor who played King George....and he gave it a Like (along with 3 others 😹)! So she has had a small taste of "fame," but has not let it go to her head.😻
Hannibal sounds amazing. Our daughter-in-law is a buddhist and says if we feel especially close to some animals they may be reincarnated friends or relatives - well, you never know I suppose? Some furry friends are certainly better than humans that's for sure!
After my last dog, Becky a lovely golden labrador I vowed never to get close to another furry friend but just can't help it. When doing our first bit of cat sitting we managed 6 weeks without feeling that close to them but then just before we left the house and my friend and her family were home and we spent some time with them we found the cats spending more time on our laps and being extra attentive to us both. They knew we would soon be leaving because their family were back home so it was like they wanted to make the most of us before we left and that was it we were hooked on them! Clever Cats eh? We were there just after my diagnosis of AF and they did help me relax and cope better with the diagnosis. Luckily I had a successful cardioversion last May so 5 months free of AF so far.
What a lovely story . I have a rescue cat 🐱and it has taken two years up to now to gain his confidence and his love . He had obviously been abused by a man , and it's taken my husband a long time to get near him .Co -incidentally he is also black and white and the image of Felix the cat.
Good luck with your little one and good luck with your AF . Pp
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