Like most behavior in living things, cats are a product of their environment, how they are treated, how their needs are met. Lots of people "do it wrong" then blame the animal. The family I live with for a while longer went through a dozen cats in 3 litters over the first year or so I was here as the matriarch kept getting pregnant and they would never take her to the vet. Most of the kittens disappeared quickly. They had to live in a garage and I assume they were killed by wildlife in this rural place. I had enough and took the eldest female kitten to get spayed and intended to take the mother next and the others when of age but the mother and the remaining little ones ran off or were killed as well and the one I had was the only one left. She is the best, and really only good thing in my life now, and she is expressive and has clear emotions and personality around me because I spend time with her and treat her well. She isn't "allowed" in the house by them but when they are gone I bring her in and she will curl up with me and purr away.

The family generally ignores her. They are "put food and water down once a week" sort of people. One does the occasional petting when walking in or out and it's convenient, and one person especially claims she is "mean" and hasn't once gone out just to socialize with her. She isn't mean...she just doesn't trust them. That's something many people don't seem to innately understand and I don't get it. You have to build trust and be consistent in how you treat life. If you treat them like things, shout, swat, or ignore them, it's you who are unfriendly and wrong. In my opinion your true character comes out in how you treat life you have power over. Whether a kitten, puppy, homeless person, employee whatever. I do the best I can for her given the "rules" they set in their house, but not being able to ensure her future as my life declines rips my heart out. I know they won't take proper care of her and I see no future where I have stability to protect her. I've tried to adopt her out before, but they refused to allow it out of some weird ego driven feeling of insult they are crap pet owners, which is a demonstrable fact. The thought of claiming she ran off and sneaking her to someone has crossed my mindm but there are so many homeless cats here its near impossible to find someone in short order. I put in my will that I want them to rehome her and left some money toward it, but I expect that to be ignored like all other requests are.

I know all of that may sound mental or ridiculous to some. My life is collapsing and it brings out intense emotion and focus on what is truly important. She has been a light for me. My family are "its just an animal/tool/mouser" types. But to me she is a living thing that feels emotions and pain and deserves a life. To me that's more important than some TV show or Facebook argument or "I don't want hair on the carpet" or the new boat or whatever other stupid egotistical material bullshit they think matters more than making sure she is fed or not locked out of the garage. I am sure my own situation magnifies my empathy, there but I wish people would consider what really matters more often. Life matters more than things. I am going to go feed her then bring her in now for a stealth cuddle session. She will probably claw bloody "play" gashes in my hand today as a reward for talking her up ;) The love scars are worn proudly. I need to start wearing some leather gloves when I antagonize her.