Each of my three cats is affectionate in their own way, but there’s just something incredibly special about Annabelle. I felt a connection with her the moment I rescued the tiny bedraggled kitten from the jaws of death. These last few years, however, my bond with Belle has grown stronger than I ever could have imagined, and it’s taken me by surprise. Oh sure, plenty of people have formed close bonds with their pets and I have with all of mine, too. Yet this sweet-tempered girl with a diamond on her nose…she is different somehow.
I don’t think of Annabelle as a substitute for human affection; I don’t compare the two, for how could I? What we share is a pure love that makes me feel blessed and happy to be alive. Sure, this relationship has limitations because she is, after all, a cat. But notice I did not say “just a cat.” Belle will never be “just a cat” to me. She is my life, and I love her more than anything on earth. I would do anything for Belle, give her anything she needed to be happy and healthy.
There are many different things that make this little cat so special to me, but what I love most is that she truly wants to be close to me. Every day, Belle comes into my home office and softly mews until I pick her up. She sits on my lap like a child, one leg draped over my left shoulder and her body over my heart. I wrap both arms around her tight and rest my cheek on top of her head. I close my eyes and listen to the sweet melody of her contented purr.
Sometimes, I cradle her paw in my hand, kiss the top of her head, or sing her the Soft Kitty song from The Big Bang Theory. During these moments, it’s hard to imagine two souls more at peace. We would sit together like this for hours if we could. In fact, Belle usually wants to cuddle much longer than I am able to, since things like work and mealtimes interfere.
Belle loves me in a way that no cat before her ever has. In Belle’s presence, I feel cherished and content. She has my heart, and I hers. Does it matter that my soulmate is a cat? Does it mean any less? Not to me, and not to her.
When I hold my Furry Valentine in my arms, all is right with my world. Love comes in so many forms, and if we are lucky enough to have it at least once in our life, then we are truly blessed.
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