I adopted my cat, Cheddar, in March of 2022, which was during my last semester of law school. I'm so grateful for this cat and the rescue we adopted him from, Paws and Claws Chicago Rescue, because I truly believe he helped me to pass the Bar Exam.
I got a cat at the age of 4 and she was my best friend for my entire childhood. When I moved to Chicago in 2019 for law school, it was no question that I would bring her with me. She was nearly 21 years old when I finally had to say goodbye to her in the spring of 2021. I did not know if I would ever be ready to have a cat again - the bond I had with her was irreplaceable. One year later, friends were beginning to ask me if I would ever get a cat again, so I started looking online to see if any cat's profiles made me feel ready. Rather than looking for a specific cat, when I decided I was ready, I had a virtual meeting with the Paws & Claws to discuss the age (I wanted an adult) and personality of a cat I would like - and they matched me with my wonderful Cheddar. The first two weeks of bringing him home was meant as a trial period, but I fell in love with him as soon as we got him home. Cheddar is so playful, and yet perfectly cuddly. He is dramatic, loves being the center of attention, always wants to be in the same room as me, and is social with new people. He brought energy and love back into my home.Â
Once I graduated from law school in May, I immediately had to start studying for the Bar Exam, which was held at the end of July. The path to taking the Bar Exam would be a 10 week program of intense studying, one which was described as being like a marathon. I knew that studying for this exam would make me feel isolated from my friends and family, who as much as they did support me, could never fully understand the pressure I was feeling: my entire higher education (four years of undergrad and three years of law school) had all led to this one exam. Passing this was necessary for me to achieve my biggest life goal. What I had not expected was the level of self-doubt I would experience, the exam-related nightmares, and the struggle to take time for self care because any time I took off of studying I felt guilty for taking a break. Without Cheddar by my side throughout that grueling experience, I don't know that I would have had the fortitude to keep going.
Any time I sat down at my desk, he would sit himself down between my arms and remain there, cuddling me, until I took my breaks. He would distract me during my freetime by demanding to play fetch with a toy mouse or by bringing me his string that he so loves to play with. Sometimes he is so goofy when he's playing with a toy, he runs into things, falls off furniture, tries to eat paper, and has the funniest meow when he wants to play. His ridiculous antics had me laughing during a time when not much else could make me smile. He was absolutely the best therapy I could have had during that time.Â
Adopting Cheddar from Paws and Claws Cat Rescue was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Their care in matching me with Cheddar was amazing: he was the perfect fit.
Love,
Anna H.