I possess an emotional support cat. Her name is Alice, and she is without a doubt the most adorable, fluffiest, and absolute best senior kitty out there. She has the softest meow that you can barely detect unless she truly desires or needs your attention. I have her by my side because I endure extremely severe anxiety attacks to the point where I become completely unresponsive. I don’t speak, move, or respond in any manner at all. I simply sit there, staring off into space while crying and trembling. Alice has always come to my rescue during these episodes. She knows the telltale signs that I am about to experience an anxiety attack and will gently rub against my hand or face to distract me. I typically have the worst anxiety attacks in crowded, hot, and noisy spaces such as on long car rides and even on airplanes. However, there are occasions when I need her presence even in public places.
I embarked on a trip to Florida with my dad, but for some reason, we couldn’t be seated next to each other on the airplane. As a result, I was stuck sitting beside a middle-aged woman. Throughout the entire flight, she incessantly bombarded me with questions about my cat. These weren’t your typical inquiries like “How old is she?” or “What’s her name?” No, they were questions like “Why do you have that?”
After I explained that I needed her for emotional support, the woman proceeded to ask even more questions and made numerous unnecessary comments.
Woman: “You don’t look like you need her. You just wanted your pet on the flight, didn’t you?”
The airplane I was on actually allowed pets as long as they were in their carriers, but Alice was out and on my lap to comfort me, as that particular morning had been especially difficult.
Woman: “You’re obviously a delinquent and aren’t new to breaking the rules.”
Perhaps that was because I have piercings, dyed hair, and a couple of tattoos.
At one point, she even told me:
Woman: “You don’t really need that cat. Put it away before I take it from you!”
She feigned sneezing and coughing to get the flight attendants to make me put Alice away, but they didn’t – because she was wearing her emotional support animal vest, indicating that I needed her. People around me were asked if they had any allergies to cats. The woman next to me was not one of those who did. They informed the woman that they could move her to a different seat if she was allergic or uncomfortable, but she declined, even though it would have been much easier for everyone involved.
At one point, I believe Alice might have sensed that something was amiss with me. I was visibly uncomfortable and holding onto her tightly due to the threat this woman posed of taking Alice from me. She let out a meow – not directly at the woman. (Remember, her meow is the softest ever?)
The woman let out a scream at the flight attendant.
Woman: “That cat hissed at me! She is holding a vicious animal! I’m scared! It needs to be put down; it bit me!”
Alice has never bitten, hissed, or scratched me or anyone on purpose, ever. She doesn’t even engage in play-fighting.
Flight Attendant: “Ma’am, obviously, there is nothing wrong with this cat.” *To me* “Is everything all right, ma’am?”
Me: “No!”
After a good forty-five minutes of this woman’s nonsense, she was moved to a different seat. The staff on the flight apologized to me, and Alice was given her own seat and received some extra treats.
This happened two years ago, and since then, I haven’t boarded a plane for fear that something similar might occur again. Additionally, I feel bad if other people have to relocate due to an allergy.
I have no idea what that woman had against my cat, but it’s safe to say she’s probably more of a dog person.
