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.
Read more articles by Julia Williams
Beautiful post, Julia! I agree with you, no matter what happens in the world or in my life, when I hold my cats, all is right with my world again.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute to your special Annabelle, just beautiful. You're both blessed. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great tribute to Annabelle and how great to do it now. I felt the same way about my BB who had to send to the bridge right after Christmas. I do have another one that I truly love but she is far from snuggly, she is just my best friend. Her name is Mewmew. Anyway, I sure know what your are saying. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's nice to know that others love and feel close to their pets.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tribute to your special girl!!
ReplyDeleteJust reading about sweet Annabelle made my heart smile too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post about Annabelle. She is your valentine!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is just such a beautiful post - Annabelle is so lucky to have you. AND we love that diamond on her nose:)
ReplyDeleteWoos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
ppuurrrrrrrrr...
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tribute to Annabella! She is a very special kitty and we know you'll cherish the sweet moments with her forever!
ReplyDeleteJulia, this is when I turn a comment over to Mom Julie:
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully-written post! My wonderful kitty is there when I laugh or cry, "Tom" being more affectionate than the others. His attentions are beyond anything I ever thought an animal would exhibit. I've had cats since my first one in my teens, Gretchen, and they were all responsive, affectionate, but my little Tom now is one who checks to see how I'm doing and cuddles just as a soulmate would!
Thank you so much for your post. It touched my heart!
Mom Julie
That is a lovely tribute. Our pets definitely find their way into our hearts!
ReplyDelete…. and she is a tuxie. Just purrfect :) Beautiful post, and she loves cuddles (which, to explain is what you do to her. A snuggle is what she does to you. Just my peculiar take on the semantics lol)
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Touches the heart x
Hi Ms. Julia and Annabelle...we love meeting new furiends and we say a hearty AMEN to your post today. There is no feeling in the world like the one I get when I look into Madi's eyes...I try each day to be the the person she thinks I am. Unconditional love only comes on 4 legs.
ReplyDeleteHugs Madi and Mom and we have you bookmared.
Julia –
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful what you and Belle share. I love all of my cats with all of my heart, none of them “just cats,” but my Zoey is your Belle and my true cat soul mate. I suppose this is a bit extreme, but I know you will understand. The other night I was on my computer like any other night and Zoey settled on my lap for a nap, her silken fur tucked into a perfect little ball.
Out of nowhere, I became so profoundly stricken with my love for her, that I started crying uncontrollably. I think a lot of it has to do with all the interviews and posts I have done lately on feral and stray cats. I just became overcome with emotion for the overwhelming enormity of the cat overpopulation problem and just want all cats to have a warm and loving home like my Zoey does.
Thank you for such a wonderful post and for letting me share my love tribute as well.
Well, Belle, thanks a lot for making me look bad, gal pal. The Human read all this and then she just stared at me with That Look that just screams, "And I get YOU???!!!" But I know deep down she loves me because I'm such a challenge. Yeah, right--that's what it is!
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful, Julia! Thank you for sharing about the special bond you and Annabelle have.
ReplyDeleteThat was lovely Julia!
ReplyDeleteCloon's Human: I loved your post Julia and I get everything you said. What a precious bond you have with your Annabelle, thanks for sharing it with us. I, too, have shared that special kind of bond with one of my cats who has now passed away and I know how rare it is.
ReplyDeleteJulia, this post make me feel I'm so lucky !
ReplyDeleteMy mom have to feel a connection with me ONLY !!!!
MOL...no any choice is available for her...tee...heh
And I hope this Valentine day, my mom will hold me, Not the evil ipad !!!
xoxo
Beautiful. You are both lucky to have found each other. Happy Valentines to you both (and your other kitties).
ReplyDeleteI loved every word and every line. That is how I felt about my heart cat, Lady Bianca aka Admiral. Never just a cat. They are a blessing and as you said, pure (the purest) love. They are there for us just as much as we are there for them. What a wonderful tribute to a precious fur member of your family.
ReplyDeletexox
simply beautiful! there is nothing like burying our nose in our kitty's fur. My Bobo used to follow me everywhere (as you know) but the pose that you described Annabelle in with her paw over your shoulder and draped across your heart is PURE CODY! He has done that since he was a kitten. I love it.
ReplyDeleteGive me a furry valentine over a GUY any day!