This article is not about people protecting cats; it is about cats protecting people.

Did you know they can do that? Much depends on your relationship with your cats. They can be far more than pets. They may be animals, but they have wonderful intelligence, understanding and caring. Yes, cats can be protectors!

There are three stories here about how my two protectors, Gertie and Eddie cats, keep a constant vigil for my well being, how they look after me and protect me from harm. Dogs may be "man's best friend", but let's not count out the wonderful, magical cats! Read the stories, do you have similar ones to tell? I bet you do!

Of course, not all people relate to their cats the same way. Some treat them like objects, some treat them like show pieces. Some expect miracles from them, some perform miracles for them. How do you relate to your cat(s)?

I treat Gertie and Eddie cats like companions and friends. I talk to them in plain English and the usual amount of "baby-talk" drivel such as "Oooh, you are so pwetty!" I can't help myself at times - Gertie IS pretty! And naturally, Eddie Cat gets treated to "Who's a handome boy? Who's a handsome boy?" in the "Polly -want-a-cracker?" kind of voice. Yes, it 's silly. They don't seem to mind though.

But I also hold serious conversations with them, usually short ones such as "Edward! Why must you ALWAYS throw up on the carpet and not the linoleum. Do you WANT to make extra work for me?" and "Gertrude! You just ate 10 minutes ago, you can't possibly be hungry again."

But I treat them with respect (hard to believe. huh?), and they treat me as one of their own. Gertie "washes" me with her tongue (boy, isn't THAT a thrill) and Eddie often sits with me by the computer to keep me company.

So, your relationship with your cat may be a determining factor in how much your cat protects you. I know mine are always looking out for my best interests.

Centipedes are very aggressive and poisonous insects. They are hunters, and their lineage goes back to prehistoric times and the age of the dinosaurs! It is good advice to stay well clear of this creature. Many people confuse them with the harmless millipede (which looks like a worm with little legs). A centipede is flatter, has longer legs and two stingers at the end. They are carnivorous. Some have been known to attack birds. They may do well against garden pests, but they have no place in a human dwelling.

One evening, I came home from work. The back door leads to a type of "mud room" and there was Eddie Cat, sitting looking out the window. He turned to watch me as I came in. Then he started growling and meowing.

It was not his "Hi honey, you're home." greeting.

It was a warning sound.

I said to him "What ever is the matter with you? Have you forgotten who I am?"

He just growled and bristled, looking intently at me. But then I noticed, he wasn't looking AT me, he was looking ABOVE me. I turned and there on the door, ready to pounce was a HUGE centipede!

I jumped away, it was still arched like a snake ready to strike, and I quickly got Eddie Cat into the house and grabbed a broom. Gingerly, I got the door open before the creature pounced and of course, caught it on the broom, which I flicked far out into the garden. Thank goodness the centipede didn't get a grip on the bristles-- it simply flew off into the grass. I watched and could see it quickly slithering away from the house.

I caught my breath and went back in and thanked Eddie Cat profusely for his vigilance. He quite possibly had saved my life; certainly he saved me from a nasty sting! Of course, a minute later he sauntered off as if nothing had happened. How that centipede got onto the door above me I do not know, but there has never been a return visit, and if ever there was, I know Eddie Cat will be on the watch to protect me.

For a long time, Eddie Cat and Gertie were very interested in the cabinet doors under the sink, and they used to scratch at them, trying to get them open. Then one day, Eddie Cat solved the problem of opening the doors with his paws, and for a while, the two of them made sojourns under the sink, for whatever reason I could not figure. I keep cleaning supplies under the sink, so I didn't want them going in there, for their own safety. I tried to block the doors, and they would sit by them, clawing and mewing.

The one day, I decided to check the area more carefully. The floor of the cabinet was soaked! I removed all the supplies and cleaned up the mess-- there was quite a bit of water under there-- and called my plumber.

He showed up and checked everything out and blithely announced "Your sink is rotten. You need a new one," and then quoted an insane price. I argued, and he simply shrugged and said, "If you want to stop the water, you need a new sink." I didn't believe it, so I paid him for the house call and sent him on his way.

I checked the sink myself, there was no leak, I could see that myself, and knew he was up to something. So I simply put the supplies back under the sink and decided to wait and see.

Well, a few days later, Gertie was still VERY interested in getting under the sink. So I let her go in. I knew she found something I needed to know about. She crawled in and sat way in the back under the faucet connections. She sat there for about five minutes and then came out. The top of her head was soaking wet!

I got a flashlight and checked. Sure enough, the connection at the faucet was loose and THAT had been dripping, ever so slowly. This, and NOT the sink, was the source of the water. It was an easy matter for me to fix, just tighten the fitting. I thanked Gertie profusely for her detective work. There has never been a leak under the sink again.

My heating system is located in the middle of the house. It's a slab house, so the forced hot air furnace is located where it can do the most good. It "lives" in a little closet made especially for it, fire safe and up to code.

One day, I noticed the house "smelled funny". I had a raspy throat, but figured it was winter and the dryness was getting to me. But Gertie would have none of that! She meowed and meowed and nothing would stop her. She kept running for the area where the furnace was located. I opened the door and smelled the gas!

Of course, I called the gas company immediately, and they did confirm there was a leak due to a faulty valve. Never mind how much THAT cost to have fixed! I realized that Gertie knew something I needed to know, and I thanked her for being such a good cat. She just purred and accepted the compliment.

Well, all seemed fine until almost three months later. Gertie was walking around the house, meowing. She just would not shut up. No, she didn't want food. No, she didn't want a "cuddle". No she didn't want to play. I told her "I don’t know what you want!" She finally went over to the furnace door.

I checked the furnace area and again smelled just a hint of gas. I knew I had to call the gas company. Gertie was meowing relentlessly at me and I told her "Yes, I know there is a gas leak! I'm calling the gas company now. Thank you!"

As soon as I called the company, Gertie became quiet and seemed satisfied. They sent someone to check. As I was waiting, I thanked Gertie for her diligence, and she was quite content.

Well, the gas inspector arrived and I explained what happened and told him about the cat. He said, "You called us out on an emergency because your cat told you to?" I said "Yes, she knows. Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell, and Gertie never lies."

He thought I was crazy and tested and tested, but found no evidence of a leak. Then he got an idea for one more test. He had me cycle the furnace. Sure enough, the new gas valve failed to close properly and his equipment indicated so. It was a very small leak, but enough that he had to shut off the gas and I had to get another repair. That new valve that had been installed just months earlier was faulty! Gertie knew it!

I told the man, "See, my cat never lies."

He said, "That's one for the books!"

I thanked Gertie for her care of me, and she has been "normal" ever since.

Cats, dogs and other little creatures that we choose to have as companions are more that just pets, more than just animals. They are real, sentient beings who think and feel. We can learn from them, if we pay attention to them. They know things we often miss. It is a great comfort to know that Gertie and Eddie Cat are watching over me like guardian angels. I am ever grateful to them.

Of course, Guardian Angels don't throw up on the carpet.

Do you have similar stories? Are you "cat protected"? You could be and not even know it. But if you are, try a little "thank you." You cat will appreciate the well deserved courtesy.