Sometimes animals are our biggest miracles. Once they choose a person, you are their person. I would like to think that both my cats, Bandit and Bella, have chosen me as their person. They have helped me through so much.

I am a huge believer in Pet Therapy. When I started getting sick, I kept begging my mom and everyone around me for a dog. I kept using the excuse “it would be great pet therapy for me.” But I soon came to realize, even though I still wanted a dog, I had two of the most loving and caring animals anybody could ask for. Once I realized this, I learned to lean on them whenever I needed comfort.

When I would stay home from school, come home from school, come back from the hospital, or even just come home from being out with friends, they were always there to greet me. They follow me around the house, follow me to my room, sleep with me, lay and watch tv with me, they do everything with me that they can. They knew when I needed someone and didn’t leave until they knew I was okay. They picked up on my feelings and knew when something was wrong or when I did not feel good.

I am now 3,000 miles away from my cats at school, and it has not been easy. I miss them terribly. I am grateful for FaceTime because when I am FaceTiming my mom, I have her show them the phone and let them hear my voice. I’m not completely sure if they understand that it is me, or where the noise is coming from, but, by the end of the call they usually end up getting treats, which makes them happy, which makes me happy. I can not wait to see them in December.