And they say cats aren't sensitive

lovely story let's hope the cat returns

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. ?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Dogs are also very sensitive. Over the years, whenever I’ve been having a sad moment, whichever collie we’ve had at the time would come and put its head gently on my knee and just look up at me as if yo say “Don't worry, I’m here for you.” Animals have a kind of sixth sense.

This is the two of them first becoming acquainted close up. Ours is the black and white left of the shrub.

Animals can pick up on emotions

I had a bit of a downer recently and our cat who normally roams for hours stayed home at my side all day, jumping on my lap, front legs stretched towards my shoulders, staring into my eyes, loudly purring which I could feel in my chest as I stroked her. I have had these moments with our cats and dogs over the years. All of these moments happened exactly when I needed them, too conincidental for it to be otherwise.

The beautiful Maine Coon is less shy when visiting now Jane. A coupe of days ago, lying in the garden with ours, at a safe distance?. This morning was the best as she/he strolled into the kitchen for a visit??

This is an interesting post for me as I've only ever lived with dogs.
My son lives alone with two cats.
Over the Easter weekend the younger one was very poorly and ended up in the vet hospital on a drip for a few days, came home but then had to be readmitted. This was the second episode of a urinary tract blockage and the cat's not a year old yet.
My son was distraught as they're his family. (It didn't help that the vet suggested euthanasia).
The older cat wouldn't leave my son alone at home, came and sat with him and was very affectionate. Quite unusual apparently!
My son thought it was because the cat was enjoying being the only one, but maybe there was more to it?
The younger cat has thankfully recovered and should be fine if he stays on a special food.

Cats are wonderful sensitive creatures. I have always had multiple cats and they have enriched my life to an enormous extent. Currently have 4 little darlings.

Cats are very sensitive creatures, they sense your moods and how you're feeling. Following operations whilst in bed recovering my 2 cats were my constant companions.

My next door neighbour is not a very nice person - never says anything NICE about anyone but plenty of derogatory comments -but she was widowed a couple of years ago so is living alone ( her son is round the corner).
She has various health issues & has been told she has to isolate for quite a time after this is all over.
We have 4 cats & they tend to give her a wide berth- she has never been nasty to them to be fair- but I think cats are clever & recognise a kind person .
Over these last few weeks of great weather I have heard her over the hedge talking to our cats who have taken to going over there when she is sitting in the garden & allowing her to fuss them. I think they know she is alone & are being kind to her.
I should say that we ARE looking out for her & shopping etc. if she needs it. Most of the neighbours give her a very wide berth as they have all had bad experiences with her.
Cats are very intuitive. I'm sure they are making life a bot easier for her,

When i was very ill over xmas& new year& spent a week in bed,the cat was laid outside my door,on the landing all week,only leaving for food& litter tray breaks.

Our beloved cat is 13 shortly.hes grown up with my 2 youngest sons,still at home.(21&17) when any of us are ill he comes& lies outside the bedroom door till we're better.(often even lies on bottom of youngests bed purring away till he starts feeling better- thats what the vibrations of the purring do- they 'heal' - its been proven apparently!?

I do so agree with Alima and, as someone who has been owned by various cats for many years, I know how loving and comforting they can be. Maybe your elderly neighbour might look into adopting a moggie from Cats Protection once restrictions are lifted, Jane10. She can go for a senior cat ... I always do (nearly all mine have been rescues over 10 years old and have lived to be 18 or more).

when I am ill or just off colour a bit, my cat always sits with me, last year when I had shingles and felt rather poorly and in pain, one cat sat by me all day then the other one took over and stayed by my side all night, Cats definitely know when you need some comfort, as soon as I was well again they were back doing there own thing,

Cats are sensitive to feelings. Ours stayed close at hand under the table the day my husband collapsed and died in our living room. She tried to comfort me after that, clearly missing him. When I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer she wouldn't leave me alone. I don't know what I would have done without her.