This cat with the turquoise eyes belongs to my younger sister. In the early days of living with my family, she was dressed in doll clothes, placed in cabinets and drawers, and accidentally dropped more than once. Through it all, Precious endured patiently, and quickly became my sister's constant companion. As years passed, their adventures together gradually changed from playing dress-up to cozying up on the couch with a good book.

Their care for each other is evident. When we return from vacation, Susan jumps out of the car at the bottom of the driveway and races to the top to find her favorite cat. When Susan enters the room, precious begins to purr loudly and lazily rolls over on her back to have her stomach scratched by her best friend. The gifts of dead mice and birds left on our back steps also indicate the affection Precious has for Susan.

When we acquired an adorable new kitten a few years ago, Precious was instantly jealous, and even aggressive toward the new addition to the family. A test of her friendship with Susan, however, proved that she had nothing to worry about.

After noticing that Precious had lost a significant amount of weight and had been particularly sluggish, Susan took her to the veterinarian's office. The doctor had some grave news: Precious had a form of diabetes that, without daily shots of insulin, could kill her. My squeamish sister rolled up her shirt sleeves and immediately agreed to learn how to shoot a needle into the scruff of Precious' neck. Since that time, she has faithfully given Precious a shot every morning and every evening. Precious has regained her weight and her energy, and still goes everywhere with Susan.

Albert Schweitzer has said, "There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." Susan has found this to be true. Not only is she a gifted pianist and guitarist, but she has Precious, the cat with the turquoise eyes.

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