Allegra’s World: Nursing Mom

It has been said that cats have healing powers, and I’m proof that it’s true! I took care of Mom last week when she was sick. Mom said I was a very good nurse, and that what I did was very sweet. I didn’t think what I did was so special. I was worried about Mom, and I wanted to help her. It’s what we cats do.

I knew something was wrong when Mom didn’t get up at her usual time. She’s always on time with our breakfast, so I was getting worried when she was still laying in bed half an hour after she usually feeds us. When she finally got up, she moved very slowly, and her voice sounded funny – kind of scratchy and hoarse, not at all like what she usually sounds like. But at least she was finally up! Whew!

She fed us our breakfast, but then, something really weird happened: she went back to bed. She never does that! Normally in the morning, after she feeds us, she goes to her computer to check her email and Facebook and stuff. Now I was really worried. I jumped up on the bed and sniffed her face. She half-heartedly petted me, then she curled up and went back to sleep. I didn’t know what to do. I went to look for Ruby to have her help me, but she was busy watching the birds, and she didn’t seem too worried about Mom. So I went back to be with Mom. I curled up next to her, but I didn’t want to go to sleep, in case she needed me.

This went on all day. Mom would get up for a few minutes, check  her computer, then she’d go right back to bed. Ruby came into the bedroom a couple of times, but she didn’t seem as worried as I was, and went about her business elsewhere in the house. I didn’t want to leave Mom’s side. I didn’t get much sleep that day.

Later in the afternoon, Mom moved to the sofa in the living room and turned the TV on. That was weird, too. Normally, she only watches TV in the evenings. Ruby jumped up on her lap and stayed with her, so I could finally take a break from taking care of Mom. I needed a nap! Taking care of humans is hard work.

Mom went to bed again very early that night. I told Ruby that she should help me take care of Mom. I know that our purr, and our simple presence, has healing powers, and Mom seemed to need all the help she could get. So Ruby curled up on one side of Mom, and I curled up on her other side. We had her wedged in so she could be nice and warm, and we purred her to sleep.

Halfway through the night, Mom got up. She often gets up in the middle of the night to use the litter box, but this time, she went into the kitchen. That was worrisome – but maybe she was getting some treats for us? A midnight snack? But no, Mom was making herself a cup of tea. Once it finished brewing, she sat in the living room to drink it. I sat on the arm of the chair right next to her, making sure she was okay. I leaned against her and rubbed my face against hers. She croaked “you’re so sweet, Allegra” before she completely lost her voice. Her mouth moved, but no sound was coming out!

After she finished her tea, Mom went back to bed. I followed her immediately. Ruby had never even woken up, so I resumed my position so Mom could be part of our kitty sandwich again.

Mom got up a second time that night to repeat the same routine, and I followed her to the kitchen and then living room again. I could tell she appreciated my company.

The next day, Mom started to feel a little better, and things returned to a more normal routine, although she still sounded a bit funny, and she still spent a lot of time just laying down on either the sofa or the bed.

It made me feel good that I could help Mom feel better.

Do your kitties help you when you’re not feeling well?

Sunday Purrs will return next week.