Bob The Street Cat: Homeless Cat and Man Save One Another – Heart-Warming Story!
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“I believe it came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body.”
This warms my heart! Here is the story of the power of positive attachment:
By Kate Woodberry,
Born in the UK, James moved to Australia with his mother and step-father following his parent’s divorce. A tense and unsettled home-life, combined with bullying at school led to problems and James was later diagnosed with ADHD, manic depression and schizophrenia.
In 1997, alone, he returned to the UK, where he would go on to spend the next decade sleeping on the streets and in shelters. Heroin became his escape.
Finally off the heroin, he was enrolled on a methadone programme, earning money by busking in London and living in sheltered accommodation.
Returning home one evening he noticed a ginger cat sitting in the hallway of his building. Believing it must live there, he didn’t think much of it, until the next day, and the day after that, it was still there. As each day passed the cat remained. James asked the other residents, but no one claimed ownership. Upon closer inspection it was evident that this cat had an injured leg, so James took it to a charity-run clinic who prescribed a two-week course of antibiotics.
After this the pair became inseparable.
When James went busking, the cat would follow him to his spot. It was clear this animal had no intention of leaving his new found owner’s side.
James named the cat Bob and fashioned a lead from some old shoelaces until he could afford a proper harness. He was shocked to discover that the cat liked to perch on his shoulder.
James (and Bob!) began selling The Big Issue.
Brits will know of this wonderful magazine, a means to providing a legitimate income to people living on the streets as well as offering a support network. (Anyone visiting the UK, be sure to purchase one from a vendor. Not only will you be helping someone out, but you also get a great read.)
The Big Issue seller with the ginger cat on his shoulders became a popular sight. James also taught Bob how to do high-fives, gaining further attraction. Videos of the duo soon began to be uploaded on YouTube. In turn, tourists heard of the pair and would head their way.
Speaking to the magazine, James said of Bob:
“The day I met Bob my life changed forever. I was no longer invisible. People not only stopped and bought a copy of The Big Issue from me but often stopped to talk to me.”
Soon gifts of food and knitted items began appearing for Bob. At one point the cat boasted a collection of 20 custom-made knitted goods!
With Bob by his side, James’ life began to take a positive turn.
When James went busking, the cat would follow him to his spot. It was clear this animal had no intention of leaving his new found owner’s side.
James named the cat Bob and fashioned a lead from some old shoelaces until he could afford a proper harness. He was shocked to discover that the cat liked to perch on his shoulder.
Clear of heroin, he finally stopped his methadone programme, crediting his furry companion as the driving force.
“I believe it came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body.”
One day a literary agent who passed the pair daily asked James about his life. That conversation resulted in a book deal.
A best seller, over 3 million copies were sold worldwide and the book has since been translated into 35 languages. In German schools, the book is even used as a textbook for learning English.
Since publication, Bob has featured in even more books including ‘My Name Is Bob’, a musing of Bob’s life before he ‘adopted’ James, and ‘The World According To Bob’.
Such has been the impact of James’ and Bob’s relationship that the story is also being made into a film. Five ‘Bobalike’ cats have even been trained to do the cat’s famous high-five.
James and Bob have toured all over for book signings and appearances.
The inseparable pair now regularly feature in the Big Issue.
Read more about this remarkable, life-affirming story here! http://www.trendingly.com/james-and-bob
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