A Visitor in the Rain: How a Cat Changed My Day

There’s a certain rhythm to quiet days at home.

The clink of dishes in the sink, the low hum of the laundry, the soft drag of a broom across the floor.

These sounds form the backdrop of my everyday life, especially on gentle, rainy days. But every now and then, something unexpected interrupts the flow in the loveliest way.

That’s how I met her. The neighbourhood cat.

Who slowly, calmly, made her way into our lives.

It happened on a Thursday evening.

My son had just come home from soccer practice, all muddy shoes and stories about the game. I left the back door ajar as I heard them approaching, the sound of their laughter bouncing off the walls.

As my son stepped into the house, I noticed a small blur of movement out of the corner of my eye,

something low to the ground, cautious but curious.

A cat.

She followed him in like she belonged there.

Not skittish, not lost.

Just quietly confident.

We’d seen her before in the neighbourhood. A slender, graceful feline with a coat the colour of midnight. She wandered our street often but had never come this close.

That night, she walked right into the house.

She explored slowly, pausing at corners and sniffing at the walls like she was rediscovering a place she used to know. We watched her for a while, unsure whether to guide her out or let her be.

Eventually, we offered her a small plate of canned tuna. She accepted it politely and, once she’d had her fill, curled against my hand for a few head scratches.

Then, just as quietly as she came, she slipped back outside into the evening.

The next morning, I saw her in the yard. Casual, like she was checking in. But we had used the last jar of tuna the night before. I told her, half-jokingly, that I’d pick up something special for her on my way home.

That evening, she arrived right on time for dinner.

And just like that, we had a new routine.

She’s become a regular visitor now. Three times a day, she shows up at our back door. Usually asking for food, sometimes for a warm lap or a quiet space to nap.

She purrs whenever I get close. It’s the kind of purring that feels like a soft engine of comfort, vibrating between us in the silence.

Being chosen by a cat is something special.

It’s subtle.

You don’t own them, and they don’t ask for much. But when they trust you, it’s like you’ve passed some invisible test.

I think she’s decided that we’re her second...or maybe third, family.

She’s now exploring more of the house. I’ve noticed tufts of fur on the couch, paw prints on the windowsill, and the occasional hair on freshly folded laundry. I try to keep her from going upstairs. We don’t have a gate, so I’ve repurposed a floor mat as a soft barrier. She seems to respect the boundary.

Most of the time.

Even with her around, there’s still housework to do. Today’s list was simple: tidy up the kitchen after the weekend and fold a few loads of laundry.

The weather was its usual self. Light rain with moments of sunshine peeking through. Always drizzling, never pouring. It’s why the grass stays green and the trees stay full. It’s also why we spend so much time indoors, making our homes feel warm and lived-in.

As I moved through the kitchen, wiping counters and putting dishes away, she trailed behind me. Occasionally nudging my ankle or hopping onto a nearby chair to observe. She’s always nearby, always asking for a little attention.

One chore I had been putting off was adjusting my daughter’s chair. She’s growing fast these days, and the bar stool we’ve been using just doesn’t suit her anymore. Her feet dangle too far from the ground when she sits at the kitchen island.

When I first moved into an apartment, I had no idea that bar stools came in different heights. I found a pair of beautiful chairs on Facebook Marketplace and rushed to pick them up. But when I brought them home, I realized that they were much too tall for an kitchen counter.

They sat in the closet for nearly two years, waiting for a space that never came. When I moved again, I passed them on to someone else. One of those little lessons in living alone: measure first, always.

Later in the afternoon, while putting away clean laundry, I came across a pair of old curtains I had almost forgotten about. The fabric was soft and textured.

Still in good shape.

I decided to repurpose them.

I sketched out a pattern, traced it with chalk, and began cutting the pieces. Sewing always starts like a puzzle. You don’t quite know what you’re looking at until it all comes together. I worked on the project most of the day.

Then, of course, I got distracted. Our feline guest had made herself at home again, curling up in the middle of my fabric.

She really does make herself comfortable.

After few days, the project was almost done. just the sleeves and neckline finishing left. I debated adding sleeves or leaving it as a sleeveless dress. In the end, I decided on soft bishop sleeves. I like the way they look, and the fabric had just enough flow to make it work.

By nightfall, the kids were tucked in and the house was quiet. I returned to my sewing, a warm drink beside me, and the cat snoozing on the window ledge. The scene reminded me of my young adult days. Late nights with a book or laptop, and my old dog asleep at my feet. That same quiet comfort. A gentle presence beside you as you go about your small tasks.

I caught myself wondering if we should adopt a pet. But I’ve been resisting.

For now, I’m just the cat bowl washer, the occasional tuna provider, the nap spot.

Still, the cat’s won me over.

Lately I’ve been thinking.

Does she have a family?

hould I be feeding her?

A friend suggested I write a note and send it along with her. Just a little message to say hello to the owner, ask if it’s okay to give her food, and to learn her name.

So I wrote one. A short, polite message.

I tied it gently to her collar.

Then off she went, back into the evening.

We’ll see if she returns with an answer.

But even if she doesn’t, I think she knows she’s welcome here. This home has a place for her.

Somewhere warm, quiet, and always ready with a soft place to land.

🐈‍⬛ Watch the vlog that inspired this story here: https://youtu.be/ELA5diD3Rhk

Sewing nights with Kitty