Pethood Stories: Athena and Marie

This is a sponsored post. Full disclosure Here

We are teaming up with Petplan Insurance as part of the Pethood Stories campaign to tell you all about our life together and our special bond.

Marie

The first time I ever saw Athena was on the website of Wood Green, The Animals Charity. My heart melted at the sight of the cute little face staring back at me, her enormous eyes crying out for love.

I had wanted a cat for ages, 13 years in fact. My last cat was Suzy. It broke my heart when she passed away at 13 years of age in 1998. Sadly she had cancer and I had to have her put down. 

Devastated, I told myself no more cats. Ever. At least not for a while. I decided to focus on my career and threw myself into studying for a Literature degree as well as writing the novel I’d always wanted to write. But my love for cats never went away. I’d spend hours online looking at cats being the cute, adorable, funny and magical little beings they are. I realised how happy they made me feel and how much they eased my stress. Before long I began to get broody for my own purry bundle of fluff again.

Fast forward to 2011, devasted after another death - this time my father's - my anxiety hit the roof. I’ve always struggled with depression and anxiety and so my dad’s passing from cirrhosis of the liver really affected me. I could not fathom how I would be able to handle his passing with my already frazzled nerves. I knew it was time to get another cat.

The sweet tabby with large emotive eyes that I'd seen on the animal charity website was called Sophie and I went to view her early next morning. She was in the first pen, and as soon as she saw me, she pawed at the pen door, obviously wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. I spent some time with her, touched her delightful kitty paws and that was it!

I reserved her and went back to pick her up two days later. I renamed her Athena, a name I’ve always loved. Sophie is now her middle name. Both names suit her for Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom and Sophie means wisdom in Greek. And believe me, this tabby cat goddess is indeed wise. Look into her alluring magical eyes and you’ll see a wise old soul staring back at you.

Once we got home Athena jumped out of the carrier and to my surprise, she wasn’t fazed at all about her new surroundings. It’s as if she already knew that this would be her new home from now on.

After I’d fed her (and she gobbled it all down) Athena settled onto my lap. As I gazed down at her sweet contented face my heart just swelled with pure unconditional love.

That first night Athena slept next to me, curled up on the pillow and deep love like nothing before warmed my soul. I felt like a mum. A proud cat mum! This is my baby, I thought, holding her close while my heart was about to burst, and I will always take care of her.

Some people might argue that a cat isn’t a baby, but just a cat, a furry friend, a family pet. But I’m not the only one who feels that their pet is their child. According to the Petplan Pet Census 2018, 41% of owners refer to their pet as their best friend, and 44% call their pet their “baby”. 

As I work from home and Athena is an indoor cat we spend all our time together each day. I wouldn't have it any other way. She is my constant companion and my day revolves around her.

Having a mental health problem makes most days difficult. Waking up in the morning is often filled with anxiety. Athena has changed all that. She is my reason for getting out of bed and facing the day.

I do worry that she may absorb my stress and anxiety so I’m doing my best to make self-care my priority. I need to do this to give my girl the best life ever. We’ve also recently moved out of London to Essex and the surrounding countryside has made me more chilled out and Athena totally loves our new home too.

When things get overwhelming I take a nap. This is Athena’s influence as no way could I ever take afternoon naps before. The most perfect time is while she sleeps close to me, her head resting on my leg. I just want that moment to last forever.

Athena

I love my Mum. It if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be here sharing my story on my own blog.

As a scared abandoned little kitten, I thought my life was over. When I got taken to the shelter, I thought I would never find a forever home. At 10 weeks old I was ready to be adopted and that’s when I saw Mum. As soon as I saw her I knew she was mine and I made sure I got her!

Being with Mum is full of happy days even if Mum sometimes isn’t in the best of moods. She gets low and feels sad a lot but I always manage to get a smile out of her. I love the gleam in her eyes when she looks at me. I know she is admiring my beauty. She worships me and it’s good!

We do have a lot of fun together. Mum is pawsome at inventing games for us to play. She knows how to tap into my hunting instinct and I love it when she pulls ribbons along the floor and behind and under paper for me to stalk and catch. I make her laugh when I wiggle my bottom in preparation for launching an attack.

I have her under my paw and I can do no wrong in her eyes. Even if I scratch her Mum seems to forgive me and continues to shower me with love. When she upsets me, like when she traps me in that ugly carrier and tricks me into going to the vet, I act like I don’t want to know her. Until we get home and then I give her the sad eye so that there isn’t a delay in her giving me those treats she promised me on the way to the vet! I don’t stay upset for long so I just forget it and soon I’m up for more cuddles. The best part of the day (or night) is when I curl up against Mum at night and I purr us both to sleep.

We are paw to hand, together against the world. Two lost souls who rescued each other.

This post is in conjunction with Petplan but all thoughts are my own.