Hi, welcome to Love Stories Podcasts, listen to romantic short stories, true love stories from real life, heartfelt first love experience and tragic end of sad story loves. This is Sylvia, your podcaster.

"If I'm being totally honest, she caught my eye because she looked a little... different. She was gray with little spots of light brown speckled throughout her coat, and her face was oddly round. The name on her cage said "Monterey." She wasn't as playful as the other cats — she kind of just sat lazily as I pet her. "She's just a really relaxed cat," one of the staffers said. But she looked sad — I could tell because I was sad, too.

I had been in New York City for two years and was still struggling to feel at home (a slew of health problems that cropped up only made me feel more alienated). I thought, maybe, we could make each other a little less sad. I snapped a photo and sent it to my mom — and my dad, and my sister, and my best friend — and asked what they thought. After I got their approval, I walked around the store to mull it over: Would I be home enough to care for her? Will I be able to take care of her if my health takes a turn for the worse? Will I pigeonhole myself into being a miserable, crazy cat lady for the rest of my life? But those answers didn't matter — I knew I wouldn't be able to leave the store without her.

She's been by my side for a year now, and I can say, without a doubt, she's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Sure, I have to wear high socks or pants in her presence (so much ankle-biting!), but she helped me through a pretty difficult year and taught me that even when it feels like the last thing you can do, caring for someone (or something) other than yourself is a form of self-care too. "

This is a true love story, thank you for listening.