It's pretty common knowledge that as we go through life, our tastes change.

We develop a taste for foods we previously disliked – such as olives, or avocado. We start to appreciate music we previously laughed at – such as country music, or classical. We buy house plants.

There are some things that change, though, that take us completely by surprise. Such as my liking for cats.

I think it's fair to say that for most of my life I never liked cats. I didn't hate them, I just didn't like them in any way. Couldn't see why people went gaga over them.

I thought jokes such as "Cats. The other white meat" and "Ask me about microwaving cats for fun and profit" were funny.

Hell, I still think they're subversive and funny.

So it was strange to find myself starting to be really drawn to cats. I pat any friendly one. I stop at pet shop windows to ooh and aah over kittens. I dream about having one of my own.

Like this.

So gorgeous.

I think the cat who cemented my new love of cats was – unbelievable, to those that knew him – my mother's cat, Misha. She was told he was Balinese but we think he was probably Somalian, judging by the sheer amount of hair he managed to shed on an hourly basis.

To say he was demanding is grossly understating it. He liked to sit on your head, or as close to your face as he could get. He wouldn't shut up until you picked him up, or at least acknowledged him.

As annoying as he was, though, when I was very sick for many months last year, he spent hours each day by my side, keeping me company. Just having a warm, soft, purring cat next to me to stroke was extremely soothing. He helped calm me at times I was quite frightened.

I learned first hand why people with pets, especially older, more isolated people, are happier and healthier than those without pets.

So who is Charlotte, the subject of my Daily Gratitude today?

She's actually my brother's cat, who is currently living with my mother. When I lived at home, she wanted nothing to do with me. But with age I think she's softened, and now cuddles up on my lap when I visit.

Melbourne has been so incredibly icy this winter, and last night, when mum and I were catching up on missed episodes of Desperate Housewives, I was having trouble getting warm and Charlotte's ball of purry fur on my lap was most welcome.

Thanks, sweet Charlotte

xx Kiki

You may also like: