Why I changed?

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From Reluctance to Love: How a Cat Changed My Heart

Childhood Disinterest

I used to be someone who didn’t like animals—at all. Touching them made me uncomfortable, and the idea of having a pet at home was the last thing on my mind. As a child, I simply wasn’t fond of animals.

But people do change.

A Tiny Kitten in the Philippines

I vividly remember one early morning back in the Philippines. My family and I discovered a tiny kitten at our doorstep. It was so small and frail, clearly only a few days old. We never figured out how it got there, but its helpless cries melted the hearts of my children. And surprisingly, mine too.

Though I was hesitant at first, something inside me shifted. I found the old baby bottles my children used, and I began feeding the kitten like it was my own. It longed for a mother, and so I decided—I would be that mother. Against the odds, the kitten survived and grew into a cat we all loved deeply.

But life had other plans. A fire consumed the house we were living in, and we never saw our beloved cat again.

Life in Norway: A New Chapter

Here in Norway, having a pet is almost second nature. Dogs or cats are common companions in many homes. Yet, even with this norm around me, I remained firm in my old mindset.

When my youngest daughter was a little girl, she often begged me for a cat. But I turned a deaf ear. I didn’t want to deal with fur, messes, and certainly not the cat’s po-po on the floor. So she grew up without a pet.

A Familiar Twist of Fate

But history has a funny way of repeating itself.

When our elderly neighbor moved into a nursing home, her cat was left behind. She had no one to care for her. And typical me—I felt sorry for the cat. Despite my reservations, I said yes to adopting her.

And just like that, my daughter’s 17-year-old dream finally came true. She's turning 19 this year, and the cat is still with us—loved and cherished.

The Unexpected Bond

This cat truly changed me.

Now it’s me who plays with her. Me, who once couldn't even stand touching animals. I find joy in our interactions, and yes—I talk to her too. I believe we understand each other. I no longer mind the mess or the added responsibility. Her food is now part of my monthly budget.

Most of all, she makes me feel less alone, especially when everyone else is away.

A Lesson in Love

I’ve come to see animals in a new light. They are part of God’s creation too. So in caring for this cat, I believe I’m also honoring Him. I'm showing love—not in grand gestures, but in small, everyday acts of kindness.

And maybe, just maybe, this is love shown… in my own way. 🐾