13 November 2015, my fiance and I brought home our beloved kitten, Artemis. We adopted our kitten during a really hectic semester when homework piled up to the point of frustration and where more than one crying session occurred on our apartment floor. The rest of the semester and the weeks that followed were challenging in their own right, but somehow they were manageable. I think it had a lot to do with having my cat around. Here are some ways that my cat has helped me be a happier and mentally healthier person:
He Helps Me Study
.
Whenever I am writing a paper or studying for a test, he is never far from me. He insists on sitting right next to me or literally right on top of me while I'm trying to get my work done. But I truly don't mind the distraction. It's nice to be able to type and still feel a warm and loving body curled up next to you. Almost like having someone tell me "It's okay and you can do this."
This Is How I Wake Up In The Morning.
As soon as he noticed I'm awake, he jumps onto the bed and demands to be pet and sometimes lays down on my chest when he realizes I'm not getting up immediately. How can you not wake up with a smile of your face if this guy is sitting nose to nose with you ready to love and be loved? It's impossible to wake up cranky!
He Does Arts And Crafts With Me.
He keeps all of my paper scraps in one place. I call it making envelopes, he calls it a shower of toys-- paper scraps make the best scratching and biting toys. It's another way he encourages me to smile.
This Is How He Sleeps.
Seriously, the cuteness factor... I can't even.
He Really Enjoys Green Beans.
A vegetable that is okay for cats to eat. He loves green beans so much that he doesn't even bother to wait patiently for me to give him a green bean, he'll jump up on my lap and get as many green beans as his heart desires all by himself. Honestly, I couldn't even be mad-- I was laughing to hard!
He’s Sassy.
He doesn’t even have to try to make you laugh. If he looks at you upside down or looks at you over his shoulder, something about him screams sass and makes you smile more than feel slighted.
He Enjoys Sunny Days.
In the springtime, the increase in sunlight can make you feel happier and more human than you feel in the cold, dark, winter months. Pair together more sunshine with your loving furry companion and you feel even happier because you can enjoy the sunshine together.
He's My Faithful Companion.
What has helped me more than anything else has been the fact that this cat rarely leaves my side. He follows me around the house and insists on being within a couple feet from me, if not right on top of me. He makes me feel loved all the time, and that never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Being a cat parent has made me smile more and has made me pause and take breaks during busy and hectic times at school. He gives my brain pause to worry about other things and take care of the things that need to be taken care of right now-- like feeding him and petting him on demand.
