To the world at large, Bindie is a regular 10-year-old short-haired tabby.
To Syakirah though, Bindie is a constant source of comfort and love, something she realised when she returned to live with her parents after graduating from college.
“Bindie is honestly the beginning of how our household opened our doors, hearts and wallets to many other furballs,” says Syakirah, whose family has been sheltering and caring for about 20 stray cats who now live with them.
According to Syakirah, Bindie was born a stray and was the only one among her litter that survived. Luckily for her, she immediately found a home in the hearts of Syakirah’s family members.
Syakirah recalls that Bindie was a feisty little kitten and that every single visit to the vet would end up with some trademark scratches on Syakirah’s and her sisters’ arms.
“She was so ferocious that our resident vet would get scared out of her wits whenever Bindie had an appointment!” laughs Syakirah.
Although Bindie comes off as highly predatorial, Syakirah says she’ll never forget one particular incident when Bindie showed just how protective she was of her family.
“I was back from college for a while and played hairdresser with my sister. Well, that resulted in her hair being chopped off in a lopsided manner,” says Syakirah, chuckling.
“But it wasn’t a huge deal until my mother saw my handiwork, and oh boy, was she upset!”
Syakirah says her mother shouted in horror at the hideous sight of her sister’s deconstructed bob as all hell broke loose in the house.
“I thought I was a goner until Bindie came to my rescue!”
Faster than a speeding bullet, Bindie flew to Syakirah’s side, charging down the stairs from out of nowhere and planting herself firmly in front of her, ‘protecting’ her from her angry mother.
“When my mum raised her voice in anger, Bindie let out a meow so loud that she drowned out my mum’s voice!” says Syakirah.
In fact, Bindie kept meowing each time Syakirah’s mother tried to get a word in. The cat kept up the loud meowing while nuzzling her head against Syakirah’s ankle protectively.
“And honestly, after the third meow we all just burst out laughing because we realised that Bindie was actually talking back to my mum, on my behalf, and comforting me at the same time.”
“If a dog’s a man’s best friend, then Bindie is my knight with tabby fur,” Syakirah says.
That incident was not an isolated one either. Syakirah remembers how Bindie flew into protective mode again when she thought Syakirah and her husband were arguing, when in fact, the two were merely having a playful discussion.
Without missing a beat, the brave cat jumped up from the bed where she was sleeping, dashed over to the couple and once again planted herself between Syakirah and her husband.
No more bickering. No more raised voices. All because Bindie the protector on was duty again. And like the previous time, Bindie nuzzled Syakirah’s ankle to calm her down.
“The thought of her thinking that I needed rescuing is the reason why no other cat can ever take her place in my heart,” says Syakirah.
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