I adopted my cat, Mimi, two years ago. I was always a dog person, but I decided that dogs were too much for apartment life and full-time work, so I opted for a cat instead—and oh my God… it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

When I adopted her, she had very obviously been abused and was scared. She was hiding in the back of her cage when I saw her. I felt something tell me to adopt her, so I did instead of Major Tom (no offense, Major Tom—you were also a cutie).

When we left the adoption center, she was very stressed—yowling and clearly overwhelmed. We had a 30-minute ride home, and the whole time I spoke to her and told her it would be okay. When we got home, I let her settle in. I decided to take a nap, only to be shown a photo not even four hours later of her sleeping on top of me, looking at my roommates as if she were protecting me from them. From then on, we were very close.

Eventually, my relationship spiraled into physical abuse between my ex and me, and my cat hated him to the point that she would stay up all night guarding me and only sleep when I woke up. She would yowl if he tried feeding her and run to me, where she was met with love and protection. One day, I finally left in the middle of the night and took her with me. That ride we took together, compared to our first, was silent. I think she knew that as long as I was with her, she’d be okay—and I knew that as long as I was with her, I’d be okay.

Anyway, fast forward a year after the abuse—she is such a goofy girl! She hides behind couches to try to pop out and scare me (and my mom), walks in front of me while I’m on my phone despite there being other routes, and meows constantly for food, affection, or when she’s upset that I’m not asleep. She’s just perfect.

She purrs constantly and just wants to be around me, and I feel the same. I love how she snores, insists on sitting on laps when I use the bathroom, and forces me to pet her. I love it all. She doesn’t know many words, but the ones she does know are “pretty girl,” “I love you,” and “good girl.” I’ve never been more proud of my girl in my life. She’s come so far.

I write this as she sleeps on me purring. I’ve never been more grateful.