(((((((((((((((( Sky )))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much!

This is very good information to have. I don't know if I'd qualify but I think I would. And I have always relied on a cat for assistance.. to notice when the phone rings, someone is at the door, a pot is boiling over, something is out of the ordinary/ not 'right', etc.

I like dogs and probably could qualify for a hearing ear dog. I have one hearing aid (is all I can afford) and without any aid can't hear more than about 4 feet; with the aid people still have to talk louder and distinctly for me but it helps. I did have a dog once and he was a great help. He wasn't trained to be an assist dog, but being a dog he just did .

Now I don't like to be out much and have no car and a dog wouldn't be a good idea for me. Besides I prefer to have a cat; a cat is calming and soothing, low maintenance, nearly-- if not as-- helpful, something to take care of and so I don't focus on just me. And I can keep him inside and avoid fleas. (I know they can hitch a ride in on me but so far that hasn't happened--maybe because I'm so much an indoor cat too?! ).

My current cat seems to be a mix of cat and dog sometimes, especially when we play 'fetch'. I never had a cat fetch before! We both enjoy it.

Anyway, thank you very much for sharing this.