Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
My cat warns me about my seizures
Toby the protective puss offers a feline lifeline to his owner – by alerting her just before she is about to have a seizure. The twoyear-old cat leaps into action after spotting the signs as Annette Sterland-Burton is about to slip into unconsciousness.
Mum-of-three Annette, 47, explains: “The seizures come out of the blue with no warning, yet Toby can sense when one is about to start.
“He’ll start pawing me and miaowing loudly. He’ll sit on me and gives me a look that says ‘Do what you’re told’, so that’s when I know I need to get help.
“It’s reassuring knowing Toby is looking out for us. We wouldn’t be without him.”
The early warning allows Annette’s children Kieran, nine, Chloe, 15, and Tonia, 22, the chance to summon help.
Annette began having debilitating seizures two years ago after a bout of meningitis left her with a functional neurological disorder.
It affects her memory and mobility and also causes blackouts and seizures, which have landed Annette in hospital.
And without knowing when the attacks are coming on, Annette is at risk of injury if she falls.
The Sheffield mum got Toby, a ginger and white Bengal cross, two years ago and hand-fed him because he was so tiny. Annette goes on: “Tonia chose Toby before she left for university. When you’re looking after something so tiny it just grabs at your heart.
“Toby quickly became a much-loved pet. But when we noticed how he sensed my seizures it became apparent that he’s much more than a pet – he’s a lifeline.”
Toby’s remarkable abilities have earned him a spot in next week’s final of the Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2018, celebrating heroism, loyalty and companionship in the feline world.
SCARED
Toby is up for Hero Cat and Annette says: “He deserves this award because he’s such a remarkable cat. If he wasn’t here I would be in hospital.
“He gives me peace of mind and it also gives Kieran comfort as he gets scared when I have seizures.”
If Toby wins he will then get a shot at the National Cat of the Year title.
Cats Protection awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “While pets can be trained to recognise the signs of particular medical conditions, Toby is able to do this without any specialist training.
“He’s both a much-loved pet and lifeline to the whole family in an emergency.”