I admit it. I am an ailurophile (a cat lover). Cats have always been my “go-to” pet. Throughout my life, I have looked after many, not realizing, at first, that they were the boss. Mind you, they were beneficent but ran the house just the same. When I grew up, I understood what I was walking into when I took one (or two, or three) of them home. They’re just easier for me to care for. Show them the food, put them in the litter box, give them a scratching post, and all is golden, usually.

That is, except fifty times a day, we would need to let them inside or out. Yes, they had a cat door. Did they use it? Oh, no. This would be too easy. Humans would need to rise and attend to the main door EVERY time the cat sat and looked majestically at it. Heaven help the person who didn’t stop whatever they were doing immediately and move quickly when summoned. Punishment could be swift and disgusting. Hairball hacking, peeing in the laundry, or scratched furniture may ensue.

Then there is the noise. Cats can make as many as 100 vocalizations. I may have heard them all over the years. Some sound like babies crying. Others are yowling, hissing, uttering various meows, and screeching. Our current cat, Shimona, never stops talking. She is a very chatty girl.

Several years ago, we decided to rescue a special-needs cat, so we went to the local shelter. When we entered the Feline Leukemia Virus (FLV) section, a black cat began to talk to us. I meowed back to her, and a new servant was born.

She has two strikes against her.

First, she is a black cat. These cats are usually euthanized sooner than others. Many people in this country feel black cats are bad luck. Far from it!!! They are some of the most wonderful cats I’ve ever had.

Second, cats with FLV are thought to have shorter life spans as they get sick more easily. All I can say is she is going on 7 and doing great. She gets respiratory infections more often but is relatively resilient. The veterinarians I’ve taken her to said she could easily live to be 12. I keep her inside, and she has no stress at all.

This cat has an automatic feeder and a water fountain, so her “highness” continually provides fresh water. There is a cat condo for her climbing pleasure and many, many toys. Does she play with them? NO. Give her a cardboard box and some golf balls, and she’s as happy as a clam.

So, prior to going to the shelter, my husband, Tom, vowed we would never get another cat. Shimona knew this. Most cats know instinctively how to worm their way into someone’s heart. When we brought her home, she would sit next to him, place her little paw on his hand, and gaze adoringly into his eyes.

Now, he speaks so lovingly to her. “Does Shimona want a tweet?” She always sleeps next to him now. Traitor. Did I mention cats can easily change their affections? Just kidding. She still snuggles with me, too.

Shimona, 14 lbs, wakes me every morning around 2 A.M. by jumping on my belly. I wander incoherently to the sunroom and show her that the food bowl is full. Once the Queen is satisfied, I am allowed to go back to bed.

So, after all, I have shared, why am I a willing servant to this little creature? Simple. Because I love her. She brings me joy and laughter daily. Petting the kitty brings us closer, and her purring is soothing.

I think I will always be owned by a cat.