Insights from my Feline Companion on Life after Covid

CNN's Senior International Correspondent, Will Ripley, found a lone kitten in the forests of southern Taiwan, where rescuers discovered the helpless animal without a mother or siblings. While on assignment in the Middle East, Ripley received a picture of the kitten from a volunteer.

He was a small, wide-eyed furball with tiger stripes of orange and white and large, alert ears. His mouth hung open as he let out a loud meow. Instantly, my heart was won over, and I knew he was the one. I had already decided on the name Nova for him, as he looked like a bright, shining new star to me. It was truly love at first sight.

I had made the decision to adopt a cat just a few days prior, and the volunteer graciously agreed to keep Nova for about a week, allowing me time to return home, gather the necessary supplies, and then come pick him up.

I've always thought of myself as a dog lover and have experience raising puppies, but this would be my first time having a cat as a pet.

I had no idea what was in store for me. When Nova came into my home for the first time on a Sunday evening in September, his nervousness reflected my own hesitation to engage with the world in the past few years.

Will Ripley and his cat, Nova, who rescuers found fending for himself in southern Taiwan's woods.

Ripley hid under the couch, bringing to mind my own withdrawal during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. I once saw myself as a social butterfly, but in recent years, I have avoided gyms, restaurants, and busy shopping malls.

During the pandemic, many people turned to the companionship of furry friends, leading to a heartwarming increase in pet adoptions at animal shelters worldwide. The feeling of uncertainty and isolation prompted many to welcome a four-legged friend into their homes, resulting in shelters being emptied and adoption rates soaring. Families found happiness in the presence of their new furry companions, painting a heartening picture of the impact of pet adoptions during this challenging time.

I will never know Nova's origin story. Did he run away from a loving family and somehow end up lost in the woods? Was he born in the wild and left alone to fend for himself when his mother and siblings either died or abandoned him? Did his owner grow weary of Nova's incessant meowing and chaotic energy and kick him to the curb?

funny cat at home sitting at home Beautiful Christmas background with a new year daccor, Christmas tree with embellishments. Christmas card with a Christmas.

Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Moment RF/Getty Images

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While I was writing, Nova accidentally knocked my laptop off the couch while I went to get a glass of water. I felt momentarily frustrated when I heard the loud "BANG" as my laptop hit the hardwood floor. However, to my relief, my laptop still works. So here I am, still writing, with a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart despite the mishap. Despite his mischievous nature, I love him all the more for it.

Unlike many others who grew tired of the responsibility of pet ownership as their normal lives resumed, I found that I was the exception. As life returned to normal, I found that I needed Nova's companionship more than ever. It turns out that while the rest of the world was beginning to reopen, I was still stuck in lockdown mode.

Nova's cautious emergence from hiding under my couch on that first day mirrored my own hesitant steps back into the real world. His fearless exploration of every corner of my home represented a bravery I aspired to embody. In his beautiful ginger fur, I discovered a symbol of bold resilience, and in his unwavering curiosity, a source of hope.

Cats, such as Nova, possess a distinctive intelligence and agility, making their ability to adjust to new environments truly impressive. Nova's daring ventures into uncharted territories within my home reflected the adaptability inherent in feline creatures. His playful nature, accompanied by the occasional chaos of overturned items, taught me the beauty of embracing life's unpredictability.

A decade ago, when I first joined CNN, I eagerly embraced the adventurous spirit of the job. Moving to Tokyo sight unseen, and traveling to numerous countries on assignment, from Pyongyang, North Korea to Havana, Cuba, allowed me to constantly explore and learn valuable lessons from each new experience, whether it was daunting or delightful.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic completely changed my outlook. Previously restless and constantly yearning for the next big trip, I found myself spending months in quarantine as I covered the pandemic across the Indo Pacific region. This experience taught me to appreciate and even enjoy my alone time more than I ever thought possible.

In his beautiful ginger fur, I found a symbol of bold resilience. In his relentless curiosity, a beacon of hope.

Will Ripley

I started to relish solitude and actually started to crave it. Activities that used to energize me now felt like they completely drained my energy. I spent long stretches of time alone, feeling lonely but unsure how to pull myself out of it. I stopped sharing my personal life on social media and convinced myself that I preferred being alone.

In hindsight, I realize I was deceiving myself. I was afraid to change, and I had some very low moments where I questioned my purpose in life.

As the wind blows, it creates an eerie howling sound in my house that makes me feel even more alone, particularly on bitter cold nights and grey rainy days. I started to fill the silence with music and bought plants to breathe some life into the emptiness that surrounded me. But somehow, it just wasn't enough.

Nova the Cat has the run of the house, and his owner, CNN's Senior International Correspondent Will Ripley, has learned to live with it.

Will Ripley/CNN

My home is now filled with more than just silence. Nova's constant meowing has motivated me to find my own voice again. His loud nature contrasts with my own quiet presence on social media. Despite my job involving talking about the news, I found myself rarely speaking in my personal life.

But coming home to Nova's exuberant and noisy greetings each day rekindled my appreciation for communication and sharing beyond work-related matters. I connected with friends and colleagues, sharing laughter and stories about our mischievous cats. They often reassure me that "it's just a phase, he's a kitten, he'll grow out of it." Part of me secretly hopes he remains youthful and naughty forever, messiness and all.

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Results:

According to a survey conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, 86% of pet owners believe that their animals have a positive impact on their mental health, including benefits such as stress reduction, companionship, and unconditional love. Both dog and cat owners agree on these benefits, with cat owners emphasizing companionship and dog owners mentioning increased physical activity. In my own experience, I have found both to be true.

In the midst of my busy life, my cat Nova teaches me valuable lessons every day. This lovely, loving, and loud little cat represents the process of rebuilding that I have undergone. Just as I tidy up after his playful chaos, I have learned to gather the scattered fragments of my life and arrange them into stronger, more meaningful configurations.

Nova was not just a rescue cat discovered in the woods; he became the catalyst for my own personal growth. His lively presence injected new energy and strength into my life, transforming it with a newfound sense of resilience and enthusiasm.

With his unyielding bravery and unwavering spirit, Nova embodied the life I had longed for, and now, am living. Despite his small size, he seemed to possess profound wisdom, teaching me valuable lessons that reshaped my entire being.

Through his eyes, I learned that lifes challenges are not obstacles - but opportunities for growth and reinvention.