I was suffering a really serious depression from 2019 to 2021. The thing that brought me out of it was a feral cat we fostered. It was really hard at first. But little by little she started deciding I was ok. She took to following me around wherever I went. When I was working on music, she would curl up in one of my guitar cases or in among all my gear boxes and kept me company. She brought me out of myself and the two of us created this bond together which helped me recover. Then she got super sick super fast and she died. I was just so sad. But the fact that I felt so sad meant that I was feeling something again. She was, for me, a little miracle.

It is extremely difficult to domesticate a feral cat. That you were able to do it means that you are quite extraordinary.


So in April, we met this big tuxedo fellow. Mrsflat decided I needed a study buddy, and he was it. And he might be the nicest guy I've ever met. I just love that cat. I brought him up to our house about six weeks ago, and I'm so looking forward to seeing him again. He has quite a personality, he is SUPER talky, very affectionate, and also pretty laid back. He might complain about things he doesn't like, but he doesn't really attack you like other cats I've known. He's about 13 lbs, kind of a big fella, but he's just so great.

Lucky you. Tuxedo cats are great.

Won't he be surprised when we get a dog. 😁

I'll try and get some pictures at some point.

I love all animals. But my wife is terribly allergic to cats, and afraid of dogs.
She says I can have a dog as long as it lives outside. I won’t go for that. A pet is part of your family, and lives in the house with you. Our kid had a pet rabbit for about 10 years, and she was OK with him living in the house, despite his fur getting everywhere.
He went blind from cataracts, but still seemed to be enjoying life. But he started getting weaker and weaker, and when he could no longer get around I had to take him to the vet to be put to sleep. That was a very sad day.