“We helped to heal each other”
We chatted with Jessica Barnard about her cat Mikey who was crowned Best Rescue Cat at the Cats Protection National Cat Awards
Jessica Barnard’s whole world crumbled around her when her first child, a baby boy, was stillborn in July 2017. With partner Connor required to return to his Army posting shortly after, Jessica was still on maternity leave and was grieving the sad loss of her baby, and began to shut herself off from family and friends. While the grief was unbearable, Jessica was also suffering physically and needed hospital treatment for high blood pressure.
Out of the blue, a friend telephoned and mentioned a former stray cat in need of a home — coincidentally he had come into the vet’s where Jessica works. Jessica didn’t hesitate and took Mikey in.
A HEALING PAW
Life on the streets had been hard for Mikey and he had needed an eye removed after developing a painful abscess. Immediately, Jessica and Mikey formed a close bond, and as Jessica helped to nurse Mikey back to full strength, he began to help ease the pain of grief. With Mikey by her side to care for, the darkness began to lift and Jessica started to venture out of the house.
Jessica’s counsellor noticed how much calmer and more able to speak she’d become, helping her get more out of the sessions.
She said:“When I went to see my counsellor, she said I was doing so much better and seemed brighter in myself,” Jessica said.“It didn’t even cross my mind that Mikey was the reason, but the counsellor said that Mikey was helping me just as much as I’ve been helping him.”
A LIFE-CHANGER
Jessica said that Mikey is her “life-changing charm.”
“We found each other at the perfect time of our lives. He brings nothing but pure love, our bond is so strong and he knows when I’m feeling down as he will follow me all the time showing his love. Mikey really is the best cat in the world to me.”
Four years on, and while her first son will always be loved and remembered, Jessica and Connor now have another addition to their family — a son named Jenson.
“I wasn’t a big fan of cats to start with, but we both helped each other to heal when he came to stay with us.”
Jessica said that Mikey is a very playful and cheeky cat and loves everyone who comes to the house:“You wouldn’t have thought he was a stray; he loves everyone and is really friendly.”
Jessica said she was really surprised to be shortlisted for the National Cat Awards:
“I saw an advert for the awards in January last year and just signed up to nominate Mikey on a whim, and when I was told he was in the three finalists I was so shocked!” she said.“Then when he was named the winner, I just froze, I couldn’t believe it.”
Category judge Bob Mortimer said:“Well done, Mikey and Jessica! I chose Mikey because both Mikey and Jessica helped each other in equal measure.”