Lunar the cat from Watton, who can predict when her owner is about to be ill, wins prestigious award
Lunar the cat. Picture: Ali Coles - Credit: Ali Coles
When we're feeling down, cats can often be the purr-fect comfort.
Ali Coles from Watton with her pet cat Lunar. Picture: Ben Lister/PA Wire - Credit: PA
But Ali Coles' moggie is so good at keeping her owner company she has won the most prestigious award a cat can win - because she can predict when her owner is about to fall ill.
Twelve-year-old Lunar, from Watton, has won the Special Recognition Award at Cats Protection's National Cat Awards 2017 for helping wheelchair user Miss Coles with a medical condition which causes her to suffer frequent blackouts.
MORE: How Lunar the cat comes to the rescue when her owner is about to have a blackoutThe 29-year-old has orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition which causes an increased heart rate when sitting up after lying down.
Lunar the cat in the garden. Picture: Ali Coles - Credit: Ali Coles
She is also diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder which causes fragile skin and loose joints.
As a result, she frequently suffers blackouts and can sustain serious injuries if she falls.
Luckily for her, 13-year-old Lunar - who she adopted from Cats Protection in October last year - miraculously can predict when a blackout is about to happen.
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She said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled Lunar's won. She has been such an amazing help whenever I'm about to suffer a blackout. This prevents Ehlers-Danlos symptoms such as dislocations.
Lunar the cat from Watton. Picture: Ben Lister/PA Wire - Credit: PA
'Lunar will come and sit on me in such a way that I can't stand up, or if I'm already standing up, she'll stand on my feet and refuse to move.
'I don't know how she can tell when I'm about to have a blackout, but she's managed to help me with my condition. I'm so proud of her.'
Celebrity judge John Challis, best known for playing 'Boycie' in the BBC1 sitcoms Only Fools and Horses and The Green, Green Grass, said: 'It was a difficult choice between three wonderful cats.
'I decided the title should go to Lunar for her unfailing vigilance and support for her owner.'
Lunar the cat from Watton. Picture: Ben Lister/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Cats Protection's awards organiser Kate Bunting said: 'Lunar and Ali clearly have a very special bond and it's remarkable to see how that is helping prevent serious injuries. Lunar's ability just goes to show how intuitive cats can be and the amazing difference they can make to people's lives.'
Ali and Lunar received a trophy, three-month supply of PURINA® cat food, a year's subscription to Cats Protection's The Cat magazine and a voucher for cat goodies.
Lunar the cat. Picture: Ali Coles - Credit: Ali Coles
