And they say cats aren't sensitive

It has never crossed my neighbour's mind to get a cat. She's in her 90s so maybe not a good idea. However, maybe this new little friend will continue to seek her out. I do hope so.
Our own Maine Coon is such a gentle, unassuming character I'm sure he'll like our neighbour when we are able to invite her in once the lockdown is over.

Please consider fostering or adopting from a local charity. Whilst the big nationals are currently closed, the local rescues are open.
I volunteer for a local charity and we are as busy as ever. We are observing social distancing and are following guidelines set out by the veterinary association.
It's a bit of a bugbear at the moment. The big nationals are spending money on TV ads, but are not doing all the work they normally do. Us small charities are picking up the work the nationals are refusing to do, yet we are not able to do any of our normal small-scale fundraising on which we are totally dependent.
The small charities are working like fury on fresh air whilst taking in the most vulnerable animals and helping the most desperate humans.

Cats are hugely sensitive creatures; my late husband told me that one of ours would howl incessantly when I was in hospital and wandered around the house looking for me all the time. Another one would know when I was coming home from work, even though it was never a regular time - she would be sitting outside the garage door waiting for me. We have had a lot of ill health and they would always come and lay nearby or sit on our laps when things were really bad. As independent as they can, they know what's going on and pick up on the atmosphere in the home.

Well done Lock. In these times pets need our help too.

My husband chose our cat from a rescue centre. He was really my husband's cat from then on in. When my husband died in hospital, our cat visited every room in the house looking for him.

He has now resigned himself to the fact that I'm now his sole carer but I know he misses my late husband as much as I do.

They do seem to have an inbuilt sense of empathy in times of need - both ours and fellow felines. Year ago a cat who belonged to our then next door neighbour practically lived at our house for quite some time even sleeping on my head - he got on fine with our own 3. Then he stopped visiting and I wasn't sure what had happened to him but one morning I was washing up and looked down and he was at my feet. He was as thin as a rake and clearly not well. I gave him a cuddle and a bit of food and off he went - he died the next day. I'm convinced he knew and came to say goodbye

As a teenager I had a lot of angst and would go to my room and sob. Our cat would always appear and lie down close to me.

I live on my own with my cat and after my last knee replacement, I had to go to the loo at least twice each night. At that time Tara slept in another room but when she heard me get up, using crutches, she escorted me to the loo, waited outside the door and then back to bed.

One night I decided not to use the crutches, she must have agreed I was safe because after that I could find the way on my own and she continued with her beauty sleep.

We used to have a cat who wanted nothing to do with visitors. When our now son in law came to stay for the first time the cat suddenly appeared in the sitting room and went straight over to the sofa and sat down beside him. We were floored and thought he was probably an alright guy for our daughter!

Jayne10 My neighbour has "adopted" a cat that wandered around the gardens. To encourage her/him to return she contained a little pack of cat treats and laid a few out everytime she sat out in the garden. Now has a visit every day and she is loving it.

My DIL has severe mental health problems so the middle cat left home. She got a bit better and he returned, she then died and he left home for good. ?

lovely story let's hope the cat returns

Car purring is thought be therapeutic. The vibrations (20 - 140 Hz) can affect various bodily symptoms and promote healing. I read about it so it must be true! ?

My husband died suddenly 3 years ago, completely out of the blue, massive heart failure. I’d had my cat 15 years, she was never a ‘lap cat’ but after my husband’s death it was like she knew exactly how I was feeling. All of a sudden she’d jump onto my lap, at any opportunity. She’d sleep outside my bedroom door, which she’d never done before. She’d follow me round from room to room, even when I needed the loo she’d be there on the landing waiting for me.. My beautiful cat had to be put down last year, 18 years old.. I know she’s up there with my husband, waiting for me at rainbow bridge..

I remember my then cat Oliver stretching across my pregnant tummy the night before I went into labour with two of my children. The cats I have now have taken to sitting on my lap far more than tgey did before lock down. I do live an isolated life so it is lovely to see the way they show caring.

A friend is in the same position, he's 82 and lives on his own and is desperate for some company. Even a phone call would cheer him up I'm sure. Could the old lady manage to look after a cat of her own for company, maybe a rescue rather than a kitten. It would give her a bit of purpose in life.

It's hard to say. Given her lifestyle and that she's never had a cat I don't think she could cope with the responsibility. She's just so surprised at her new little friend.

Cats are very empathic and sensitive and like their own space. Apparently, extroverts love dogs and introverts prefer cats

Awwwww what a lovely story Jane10 ..... that moment in time will have made more of an impact with your elderly neighbour than lot of things in her life, how lovely. ( I read your post and I had visions in .y head of it taking place )

Than you for sharing that.....

maybe the cat has been turfed out due to lockdown. see if you can find who it belongs too. is it thin?or just in need of a cuddle..

Nannyjan’s story about her niece reminds me of a family story. I was born in hospital. On the day I was brought home, mum & dad were walking up the garden path to the front door when their cat passed them going in the opposite direction. He stalked across the road, went into a house opposite and never set foot over mum & dads door step again!

I’ve always felt slightly insulted by this tale, because it’s not as if the cat had even met me!

The cat I had when my DD was born never sat on my knee again after we came home from hospital with the baby ?

All but one of my cats, past and present have been "adopted", 3 of them from Cats Protection.

Minnie came after Digby died, he was only 7, but had a heart condition. Sprout had never been an "only" cat, we got him from CP when he was taken in as one of 3 cats rescued from the same house.

When Digby was no more, Sprout seemed very went off his food etc, Hence the arrival of that absolute baggage dear little thing, Minnie!

I don't know about being sensitive but I'm pretty sure cats are psychic! The moggies around here seem to instinctively know that I detest cats and like cleaning up cat poo even less!

When will you cat lovers take responsibility for your pets and train them to crap on YOUR garden???????

My husband had an extended stay in a far away hospital because a necessary investigation repeatedly failed because of 'a blockage'. I feared the worst, waiting at home with 2 small children. The most beautiful tabby turned up, put his paws round my neck and dribbled down my front while purring loudly. He stayed with us after my husband eventually came home with 'nothing found' and named the cat. We had Hickory for almost 10 years cuddling me like this whenever I needed it. His ministrations often brought me out in a rash but I loved him. He left home when I went away for a year's professional training and I never saw him again.