health
March 2, 2026
The pet I’ll never forget: Harvey, the most human of cats who helped me through grief and illness
He could use door handles and steal catnip from the kitchen cupboards. And, when I became very unwell, he would pace around me like a doctor on call
TL;DR
- Harvey was adopted by the author's family in 2004 during a period of grief following the death of the author's grandmother and their previous cat.
- Harvey displayed human-like behaviors, including opening doors with handles and attempting to steal catnip.
- During the author's prolonged illness, which caused nausea and significant weight loss, Harvey became her constant companion.
- He would enter her room, pace like a doctor, and lie beside her, offering comfort by purring and kneading her stomach.
- Harvey's steadfast support was instrumental in the author's eventual recovery and transition to university.
- Harvey later passed away after a stroke, leaving a lasting impact on the author's understanding of love and care.
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