My Lovable Companion

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Naturally, my wife is one … well I think so, but I’m really talking about my cat: “Jet.”

Its now about 12 or 13 years since a feral mum took her five or so week old daughter into the factory where my son worked at the time.  She placed the kitten in a hole in the wall, before she left again – probably to fetch another kitten or to find some food.  Whichever it was, she was never seen again.

Nobody knew what had happened, so everyone was surprised to hear the cries of the kitten and wondered where the cries were coming from.  Then the crying stopped, and eventually everyone went home.  The next morning, after a few hours of work, the kitten’s cries could be heard again, and after some discussion it was decided to turn off all the machines and search for the distressed little thing.  Once found, the kitten was given some milk and that evening my son brought her home.

We tried feeding her some cat food, but she wouldn’t touch it.  So I decided to try something different: Cream of Chicken Soup.  I first warmed it up to about body temperature, then put a finger in it and deposited a small amount on the kitten’s mouth.  A few moments later she was lapping it up, purring for all she was worth.

Over the years she has experienced several things the first of which was the bullying of another cat of ours named Smokey.  We didn't realise at the time but for some reason, he used to stop Jet from eating her food.  But of course, when he wasn’t looking, Jet would sneak a meal, then curl up somewhere to sleep.  Even today with Smokey gone, she will look to us for approval before tucking in to her food.

One by one, Jet has seen our three children leave home and missed them for a while.  If Matthew, who found her, or Ruth come to visit, she’s all over them.  But if Tim comes, she goes and hides.  Tim’s the one who takes her to the vets.

When Jet was about two, she disappeared one night.  We thought that she may have been stolen by children like Smokey was at that age.  But no, she had climbed a bush like tree in a neighbours garden and got herself stuck.  She was there all night an half the next day before we found her.  Fortunately, the tree was next to a public footpath, so I was able to take a ladder to retrieve her.

About eight years past.  I had joined the ranks of the disabled and Jet had gone out as cats do, when I heard barking and I recognised Jet screaming.  There on our front lawn, Jet was on her back trying for all her might to fend off an attack of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. I went as quick as I could to her aid, leaning on one stick and waving a second one, whilst making a growling noise to frighten off the dog.    Jet crawled into the house, panting for all she was worth.  I called my son Tim and we took Jet to the vets.

The vet was very kind and took her in for a couple of nights.  Jet had several bites; a broken rib and a collapsed lung which re-inflated itself as soon as she went to sleep in order to be X-rayed.  When she returned home she was still under the influence of some medication, which effected her balance, so she came and curled up on the bed next to me and slept and slept.  She just wanted company and reassurance.

We noticed that Jet wouldn’t go outside.  Then we realised that when she meowed at the door – we have no cat-flap – she wasn’t just asking to be let out, but also wanted one of us to go down the garden with her.  This went on for about two weeks, until she regained the confidence to go out alone.

Part Two to follow.

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Part Two: Part of the Family

Jet has never been a mother and never will be.  But that’s not to say that she hasn’t any mothering instincts.  When one of us feels unwell, there she is looking on, and occasionally coming for a fuss.  She lets us know that she cares.  When I went for surgery last month – I was away for 10 days – my wife told me that Jet showed signs of missing me, and wondering if I would ever return.  When I did return, she came to greet me and crouched on my chest as I lay in bed, with her nose by my chin, and purred and purred.

It is well known that a cat is a creature of habit and here’s one habit that Jet got herself into:
On the occasions when my wife and I spend the evening watching TV, Jet will either join us, or deposit herself in my computer chair which I’ve just vacated in the next room.  I have my supper and when its my time for bed – I like to go early, as the arthritis in my spine stops me from being able to sleep right through the night – I pick up my mug and plate and take them to the kitchen.

Jet starts to meow and goes to the foot of the stairs where she waits for me. As I approach, She starts up the stairs, then stops about half way and looks around to make sure I’m following.  I get into the stairlift and start the climb up the stairs.  Jet goes to the top and when I’m about halfway up, she goes and looks in every room as if to make sure there’s no danger.  I arrive at the top and get out of the chair.

By now Jet is waiting for me at the doorway to my bedroom and as I approach, she goes in and jumps up on the bed – still meowing.  I get undressed and start for the bathroom.  Jet follows and watches me as I wash, etc.  Its almost as if she is there to make sure I wash behind the ears.   I make my way back to the bedroom escorted by Jet who jumps up on my bed again. I close the door, leaving just enough room for Jet to leave when she wants to.

I turn the light off.  The curtains are ajar enough to let some light in from the street lamps.  I climb into my bed and turn the TV on to watch the news.  Jet now climbs onto my chest and lays there for a few minutes to allow me to make a fuss of her.  Then she jumps down from the bed and then up into a wicker chair where she stays until she thinks I’m asleep.   Finally, she jumps down again and leaves the room to find my wife.

If Jet doesn’t think she’s part of the family, then I don’t think she would escort me to bed in that way, do you?

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Aweeeeeee, Old Timer, what lovely writing about your extraordinary family member. It sounds like Jet is your "watch cat" too. I am glad you all found each other. I think it was just meant to be. Thanks for sharing!