I have the most loyal companion...
I know I frequently come across as obsessed with my cats, but I need to take a few minutes to explain about Cory and me. I have three cats: Cory, Pixie, and Ronon. I have a very special bond with each one of them-very special, and unique to each. My relationship with Ronon is totally different from my relationship with Pixie, which is totally different from my relationship with Cory.
But it's Cory I want to talk about right now. He's truly a remarkable cat among cats. I said to my mom just last night: Cory is the most loyal animal I've ever known. Cory and I go back the furthest. He came into my life about 7 years ago down in Marietta, when he jumped into my van while I was moving from my apartment to my house, and was the best possible cat companion to my aging cat, Ding. Since that time we've developed a very special bond.
Cory likes a few things a lot: being called by his name, being kissed on the forehead, sitting on my lap, accompanying me as "potty buddy" when I go to the bathroom, and in general being in the room where the action/people are. What Cory very much dislikes is being separated from his humans. He dislikes that a LOT. I watched a movie last night with my mom, upstairs. Technically the cats aren't allowed upstairs, but beyond a certain point there is only so much you can do. Because of my mom's allergies, I closed her door while we watched the movie. Cory sat outside the door for the whole 2 hours (or more? The last Harry Potter movie), periodically "scratching" at the door (he's declawed-not by me-and so it just makes a squeaky noise as his paw pads rub the door) or meowing pitifully, calling in to me, totally not understanding why I was not letting him be with me.
Today I went to take a shower, and he ran into the bathroom when I went in, and sat on the sink for the whole time I took my shower, periodically meowing to let me know he was there. I would call out to him as well. Mutual reassurance. When I dried off and dressed, he immediately followed me into the other room, and has been on my lap ever since.
Leave the house? He walks me to the door. Coming home? He's waiting at the door. Bedtime? He's there. Changing rooms? Within minutes, so has he. Not in the room (rare)? Call out "Cory?" and usually hear a response call followed by his immediate appearance, at a trot.
Not petting him? He'll take his paw, grab your hand, and physically drag your hand to the top of his head, then sit there expectantly. He is happiest when he is physically connected to me. He will lay on the arm of the couch I'm sitting at, and rest his head on my elbow while he sleeps. Or he'll curl up if not in my lap, then next to me, always in contact.
He's a very special cat, as witnessed by the way he treats guests: he will greet each and every person who comes to the house. Usually by jumping in their laps in turn, if they're sitting, but otherwise by announcing himself at their feet and giving their shins a head bonk. Virtually everyone (except allergic people) who has ever visited our house for the first time makes the same joke-threat upon leaving: "I'm stealing this cat..." in an endless variety of rewordings. Even workmen who come over to fix stuff (which Cory always supervises and "helps" with) have jokingly threatened to take him with when they leave. I've never seen people en masse respond to a cat like this before, and it's been this way since I got him. Or more accurately, he got me. Since it was his choice.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on so much, but I just feel so loved by this cat... and he's so ferociously loyal in a way that I haven't experienced with an animal before (and yes, I've had dogs)... Lately, mental-health-wise I've not been at my best, and if I cry, Cory is there. Even if I don't cry, it helps to know that no matter what, this little guy loves me so much. I just had to share my feelings... get them down, even if just for myself.