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03:06 GMT, 16 June 2012

Even simple tasks used to be fraught with difficulty for Fraser Booth. The four-year-old,
who is autistic, easily became overwhelmed by everyday events, resulting in tears and
temper tantrums.

Then Billy the stray cat came along. Abandoned by his previous owner and rescued from
a boarded-up council house by a charity, he had not had the easiest start to life.



But since their first meeting, Fraser and Billy have been inseparable – and the moggy has
helped bring the little boy out of his shell. Now, whether it’s playtime, storytime or bedtime, Billy
is there to offer a reassuring paw.

And he is the first to sense when Fraser is getting frustrated, calming him down with a cuddle or
comforting purr.



'He always appears when Fraser is getting upset and offers his head close to Fraser’s to reassure him
and recently, when Fraser was poorly, Billy sat on his lap all day.

‘They say animals can sense things, but Billy seems to know before anybody else if Fraser is going to
get upset.’

Mrs Booth, who is a full-time mother to Fraser and his 15-month-old sister Pippa, added: ‘It sounds
crackers, but it is like Billy is Fraser’s guardian. Their relationship is something really special.’