Main image via The Jakarta Post
We don’t care how much you say you love cats, no one can match this woman in Oman!
Despite constant complaints from her neighbours, Maryam al-Balushi has come to care for 480 cats and 12 dogs over the years, describing her pets as a mood-lifter and better companions compared to humans.
Image via The Jakarta Post
“I find animals, especially cats and dogs, are more loyal than humans,” she said.
Orphaned as a child, 51-year-old Maryam started collecting her cute, stray friends 10 years ago.
Every month, the retired civil servant spends US $7,800 (RM31,905) on her pets, 17 of which are blind, diligently feeding and cleaning them as well as taking them to the vet.
“It all began in 2008 when my son bought a small Persian cat. Like many mothers, I refused to look after it as I did not like animals and my son did not pay it much attention or look after its hygiene,” she explained.
But things changed when Maryam found herself looking after another cat two years later…
“I found myself totally immersed. I took care of her entirely, feeding her, bathing her and spending a lot of time with her.”
Maryam’s new-found love for animals soon became the talk of the town, to the extent that departing expatriates would leave their pets on her doorstep while animal shelters would re-settle their charges with her.
And after buying her own home in 2014 following complaints about her growing collection, she was able to take on more animals.
Maryam also pointed out that her collection of cats and dogs had helped her get out of depression, and it’s just an added bonus that she got more popular on Instagram.
“I was in a dark place and they were the lifeline that rescued me,” she said.
Good on you, Maryam!
By: Kyle Roshen Jacob
Info via AFP
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