Nope. He is wonderful. Of the five cats I have had, only one
has been somewhat this way with me--looking out for me,
being really affectionate when I am sad, that sort of thing.
I would say you and Gomba are very, very lucky to have one
another.

We call that being a good Nurse Kitty. They do seem to know when you need
cuddles.

I had a cat when I was young (well, we actually had 6, but only this cat did
this) who if I was upset about something and went in to cry in my pillow,
she would come in, and poke gently at my cheek until I had to look up at
her. Then she would purr and love me up and I could not keep crying then now
could I?  Cats are just very special people.

Fiona was the best. She would let me cry on her, and she always took
great care of me when I was sick. She was never away from me when I
was sick and awake. I assume she must have left on occasion to eat and
use the box, but she must have known when I was deeply asleep. There
is only one occasion when she did not do this. It was the last time I
was sick with her alive. And she seemed to be attempting to teach
Maynard. Every other other time, it was Maynard sitting by me with
Fiona somewhere in the room. It was so perfect a pattern that I was
lauging every time I woke up.

Unfortunately, Maynard was not the best student. He is sweet and does
show extra care when I am sick or not doing well. But not the the
degree that she was. Kira is pretty good too. Both get visibily upset
if I cry or am really sick.

And Kira actually healed a shoulder ache one time. It was aching
really bad, so I crawled into bed to relax. She came over and sat on
my shoulder (a place she never sits) for two hours straight. Never
hurt after that. I think she was an awesome heating pad, with just the
right amount of pressure :)

Now, if she could just do back massage...

My girl Festus plays fetch, too.  If she wants to play with her foil
ball she will bring it to me to flick it across the floor so she can
chase it.  I have never heard of a cat playing fetch before, nice to
know someone else does it.

She doesn't nurse anyone when sick, but she always sleeps with my
daughter.  Lexie says it helps if she has a bad dream to have Festie
there to comfort her.

You have a very special cat!

Sounds like you have a great kitty!  Not all cats are like this.  Oscar is
certainly affectionate in her way, but she doesn't show any extra care if I'm
crying or unhappy.  Eros, on the other hand, knew when I was crying and would
try to comfort me, which was particularly sad when I was crying *because* I
had to give him up ... (long story, not getting into it)

As for one thing you said ... it tripped a memory.  When I was very depressed,
I had some guilt issues that certainly weren't helping.  A good friend of mine
said to me, "Don't beat up my friend Monique!"  So, I say to you, "Don't beat
up Goomba's friend!"