Publications
Partners
- A freelance content producer became a 'cat mom' quite by accident.
- Soon afterwards, she thought he might get lonely and got him a companion.
- She's been relying on her two cats for company and emotional support during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been like a dark cloud hanging over our heads – and many people have been dealing with it on their own.
But, when the novelty of silence and solitude wears off, being alone can become distressful.
Carmen Williams, a freelance content producer and proud cat mom, told Health24 that her cats, Peeves and Lupin, were her saviours during the lockdown.
“They really are the best thing that’s happened to me. Being on your own can get lonely at times and it’s nice knowing that I have these two little creatures waiting for me when I come home from somewhere,” says Williams.
Becoming a cat mom
Before becoming a cat mom, Williams said she had always wanted to get a cat but didn’t think it would happen so unexpectedly as it did.
“A friend of mine found a cat running around her apartment complex and sent a message on our WhatsApp group asking if anyone was interested in adopting a kitten.
“I hesitated for a moment because I’d been threatening to get a cat, but I didn’t think it would be like this. “However, when I saw pictures of Peeves, I decided to go ahead. I told my friend to bring the baby to me. This happened in April 2020,” said Williams.
Furry friend
Williams is a massive Harry Potter fan and named Peeves after the Hogwarts poltergeist in the series, and adds that she thought the play on words “my pet peeves” was funny.
Fast-forward a few months after Peeves moved in, and Williams decided he needed a friend, seeing that his furry friends had moved out when Williams’ neighbour relocated.
Williams adopted another feline companion and named him after Professor Lupin, another character in the Harry Potter series.
“Lupin has been with me since July and he is definitely the younger brother – he constantly needs my attention and even though he has fancy, expensive pet toys, his favourite toy is a piece of string.
“He is such a personality. You should see the way he lies next to me – all stretched out, not a care in the world. You can see he doesn’t have to pay rent,” Williams says through her laughter.
Fun, games and snakes
She continues to gush about her “children” and says that they enjoy playing together. They wrestle, but also snuggle up to each other when they call it a night.
While Lupin is attention-seeking and continuously wants Williams to play with him, Peeves spends most of his day outside, occasionally popping in to check if “Mom” is okay.
They also come bearing gifts every now and then – from bugs to snakes. Williams says she’s seen it all, thanks to her cats, and she just has to deal with the situation, even though she's absolutely terrified of snakes.
Williams says, “He’s mostly outside during the day, but he comes in every now and then just to make sure that I’m fine, gives me some love, and then goes on his merry way.
“Sometimes we play with the laser pointer, or we play with the toys. I have a video on Peeves’ Instagram page where we were playing soccer in the lounge because it was raining outside and we were bored.
They rely on me
“I suffer from quite severe depression, and on those days when I don’t feel like doing anything, they give me a reason to get up.
“I know those babies rely on me for so many things, so I know I have to do them.”
Like many pets, Peeves didn’t quite enjoy his last trip to the vet and Williams is currently getting the cold shoulder. The vet needed to take some blood to run some tests and he’s been upset with her ever since.
She added, “He sleeps next to me at night, but doesn’t come to me for love. He checks on me, just to see that I am still here, but then leaves in a huff. Lupin is at least still looking for attention from me.”
Whether it's snuggles and soccer matches, or vet visits and cold shoulders, Williams maintains her boys are "simply the best thing ever".
