I never liked cats. It was my daughter Aśka who wanted one. On July 14th, 2003, my well-organized, human world turned upside down... Aśka wanted a kitten for years. I kept telling her we were allergic to cat fur. When she was in 6th grade, she demanded allergy tests. Of course, the results showed no allergies at all.

My colleague’s neighbor had a non-spayed cat named Jessi, who regularly gave birth to litters. “Take a kitten, Jessi’s pregnant again,” my coworker kept insisting. So I said, “If there’s a black female, I’ll take her”—not really believing it would happen. 

He was ginger, she... was black! A promise is a promise. That September, together with Aśka and my dad, we went to pick up the kitten. She was tiny, frightened, with golden saucer-like eyes. My dad held her close, and she clung to him with her whole little black body. I was touched by that image and whispered, “She’s so sweet.” I gave her a name—and in that moment, the world accepted her. She became part of it.

At home, it was Aśka and my dad who took care of her. I remained distant. They loved her—I tolerated her. Until one night, I heard a soft cry. I got up and walked over to the box she was sleeping in. She lifted her head, little tears streamed down her feline face... and my heart broke. I scooped her up and, with all my love, I hugged Milusia—my Milusia.

This year, on July 14th, my feline daughter turns 16. She taught me love, empathy, and a whole new perspective on the world. And this year also marks five years of my volunteering with the Stawiamy na Łapy foundation in Kraków—all thanks to her.

Life is unpredictable. We never know what challenges it will throw at us. But the decision I made nearly 16 years ago was one of the two best of my life.

As a volunteer, I always promote adopting abandoned and neglected cats—those wronged by people. They need to learn to trust again and to feel that not all humans are cruel, that we can love, care for, and protect them to the very end.

Milusia isn’t physically special. She’s just a regular tabby cat. But I love her more than anything because she understands me like no other human ever has. She senses my mood and, like a therapist, soothes my body—and often, my heart. She’s always beside me, like a shadow. A metaphysical connection? Maybe.

Because of Milusia’s shy nature, I’m not planning on adopting any other animals at the moment.

Would I recommend adoption? Absolutely. As my story shows, a cat can be a remedy for loneliness, heartbreak, and the darkness in this world.