Nala's World: One man, his rescue cat and a bike ride around the globe

by Dean Nicholson

Seeing my name and home address alongside Nala’s name felt good. It was official, she was mine. Well, as far as the authorities were concerned, in any case. I wasn’t convinced anyone could ever ‘own’ an animal, especially one as independent as a kitten. To me Nala was, and always would be, a free spirit. Like me.

Nala had made my journey so much richer. She was making me a more responsible, more thoughtful person, too. Giving me some purpose. She’d been the best thing to happen to me for a long, long time.

Sometimes in life, the things you’re looking for have a way of finding you.

In some ways, I envied her. She had no work responsibilities. No bills to pay, no possessions, no pressures. Lucky her. I’ve always felt that the more people have, the more they have to worry about. Life should be about the simple pleasures. Moments like this. Sunsets, sunrises over deserted beaches. A couple of beers with friends. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

A good friend isn’t there all the time, but they are there when it counts.

As long as we stuck together, I knew we’d be fine.