California Dreamin': day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy

Who would have thought, I mean really, that the thing that makes me so happy is a cat?! I use to HATE cats. I was so allergic to them that I could not even be in a house that had a cat. The cat could be in a totally different room, they could vacuum and clean but I would still be super super sick from them. But now I own a cat and she makes me so incredibly happy.

The thing that always annoyed me with cats is that they are loners. I love dogs because they NEED you and they let you know that. I always thought cats though were obnoxious because they were so self efficient and just did their own thing. I was incredibly lucky though because I have a cat dog, she needs me just like a dog needs its owner.

I am sure I have shared this story before but the brief story is that I met Gerti (at the time her name was Tudy, which was very fitting since she was a stinky smelly kitty and farted all the time!) at the animal outreach at the Ferry Building Farmers Market one Saturday in Aug when my mom was in town visiting. I love animals so even though there were no dogs, just cats I wanted to go over and give some attention to them. There was a really tiny kitty sitting up in the same cage as Gerti. Gerti had her back to me and was sleeping so I was trying to get the tiny kitties attention. She wasn't really too interested though so I moved on. As soon as I walked away Gerti turned around and started meowing. She put her paw up to the cage door and was so clearly wanting me to come back. As soon as I came back she started purring like nothing I had ever heard. The woman so graciously took Gerti out of the cage. I couldn't hold her but they let me pet her and she was giving me kisses and so sweet. I fell in love. So that afternoon I went to the shelter and bought her.

I had never owned a cat and didn't have the first clue on how to take care of a cat, but my mom bought her for me and I brought her home. A month and a half after getting her I got crazy injured and really struggled with it. The only thing, honestly that helped brighten my days and make me feel better was Gerti. Talking about her puts a smile on my face. I get so excited to go home because I know as soon as I open the door she will be there to greet me and say hello! She Cuddles with me every night, is super playful, gives me kisses and makes each day that much better. I love her so much. She is the best gift I have ever received, seriously! I honestly think she saved me from going into depression when I couldn't dance because I broke my ribs. She is so much a part of me I couldn't imagine life without her.