Conference misery::feline_v1

    My sister-in-law had  a big black cat named Magic. He was what
    she called an "ankle-beater"; he would jump out and attack 
    ankles, for no reason at all. He was not a particularly affectionate
    cat to anyone but her.
    
    Once, when my husband and I were visiting for the weekend, my husband
    became quite ill with an upset stomache -- I mean really severely!
    We were ready for a trip to the hospital, if necessary. But he
    eventually began to feel a bit better, and decided to just go to
    bed early. 
    
    As soon as he was in bed, that big old bad cat Magic jumped into
    bed beside him, stretched out against his stomache, and spent the
    night like that. He didn't leave that bed once during the night.
    
    The next day, Magic was back to his old self, being affectionate
    only to my sister-in-law, and attacking ankles without provocation.
    
    Marleen
    
                                                                    

    I have seen this in both Zach and Minnie. A few years ago when my
    wife came home from an operation, both of them very carefully located
    themselves to either side of her on the bed and from time-to-time
    would slowly reach out a paw and gently touch her. Later, as she
    was able to sit on the couch, they would gently sit on her lap
    all the time carefully avoiding the area of the operation. They
    knew, there's no question about that.

    Most of the cats we have ever had are like this. Whenever someone
    in the family is sick they will throw all thier attention at them
    until they are better. I've spent many a day suffering from an earache
    with cats curled up all around me especially next to my infected
    ear so that thier body heat could promote the healing process. They
    are much softer than heating pads. 
    
    				Geoff

    It's funny that I read this note today.  Yesterday I was out because
    I fell on the ice and hurt my back.  I was in bed most of the day
    yesterday.  Silver and Tabby didn't leave my bed unless I did. 
    At one time I had one on each side of me, cuddling up as close as
    they could.
    
    Holly

    When my mom was pregnant with me her cat "Joe Mokely" turned into
    a Dr. Cat.  Whenever she was ill with morning sickness Joe was always
    there cuddling her and following her around.  And when she started
    to have labor pains Joe went nuts.  He kept crying and rubbing up
    against her and wouldn't leave her side.
    
    Maybe he was just being extra lovey because he knew he was getting
    a new companion - but he definitely knew something was up with my
    mom!
    
    

    
    Yup, my kitties do this.  Whenever either of us is not feeling well,
    they will curl up in bed with their poor sick human.  I had pneumonia
    last year, and they all just seemed to "know" where it hurt, and
    they laid down on my chest or back like a furry heating pad.
    
    Tanya is really exceptional.  She gives massage.  If I have a backache,
    all I have to do is lie on my stomach on the bed.  Tanya (5lb Aby
    terrorist) hops up and walks her little feet up and down my spine.
    We call her our "geisha-kitty".  Hey, maybe I should be renting
    her out ;-)
    
    Rita
    

    When I came home from the hospital after having one of many knee
    operations, Honey came running to me, reached up and began using
    my cast as a scratching post.  While recovering, I would sit on
    the sofa with my leg propped up on the coffee table, thus providing
    a very nice bridge for him to use.  No sympathy from that guy!!
    
    I had a 'foster cat' in Colorado Springs that would lick away your
    tears if you cried.  He was very concerned and wouldn't leave your
    side until you felt better (which had better be quick or you'd have
    no face left!!)
    
    Mary

    I call my kitties "cat nursemaids" when someone is sick around our
    place.  They are very disturbed when the local pet humans are not
    up to their usual activities, and will lay down next to (or on the
    stomach of) the sick human, purring like crazy -- this is very nice
    if *I* am the sick human, laying there waiting for the
    horrible-but-effective sinus medication to work when I have an allergy
    attack, or something!  I'm not sure if Paul is as pleased by their
    concern as I am, but then I like cats much more than he does (he
    is really a "dog person" at heart).

    Kyrielle is a doctor cat.  She was sent to me shortly after I got
    out of the hospital last June.  I had had hip replacement surgery
    and was confined to a wheelchair alot of the time.  She was a kitten
    with a mission.  She never left my lap.  We even went to shows this
    way.  I would wheel up to the judging cage and she would jump into
    it.  When done, I would wheel back and she would jump back into
    my lap.  Never once tried to jump off the chair and take off.  Once
    I was able to use crutches she bacame a shoulder cat.  We still
    have a very special relationship.  I will never forget how good
    she was to me.  The other cats in the house spent alittle time with
    me during my lengthy recovery, but none were as devoted as she was.
    
    Jo