During a pet-free phase of my life, when I was mourning the termination of a troubled human relationship, a wise friend suggested getting a pet. Any kind. "Sometimes it's good just to have another beating heart around the house," she said. I didn't act on it for years, but in the end how right she was.
What is it about a cat? Mine are mostly terrors at first glance. It's a madhouse. Julia clucking like a chicken and treading all over our laps and the tabletop during dinner:
"Introducing the Catkin"
Sebastian singing a feline rendition of O Sole Mio at four in the morning accompanied by the clack clack clack of a rod toy being dragged throughout the house. Keaton circling the bedroom a half hour later, pulling open the window shades (really!), pawing the furniture and trilling at the top of his wee lungs because he's waited long enough for breakfast. Leaving little poopie Klingon presents for me to find because I am a negligent owner who doesn't take him to sick bay regularly to have Dr. McCoy trim his anal fur.
And yet, *sigh* -- and yet. When the black dog days come, and I can barely move out of bed, Julia comes and drapes her little body over my ribs and licks my hand. Sebastian comes and curls up on my pillow, leaning his chin on my forehead. Their purring soothes me when I've forgotten how to soothe myself.
Keaton, too cool to be a lap cat (or even a bed cat) nonetheless keeps watch nearby, meeting my eyes expectantly when I look his way.
They need to be fed. They need to have their litter boxes scooped. They provide me with the opportunity to get out of myself for a second and put somebody else first. I can be there for them; I will be there for them. No matter what crap is going on in my life, I matter to them.
Cats are Zen masters. They have so much to teach us about the gift of being in the moment. It is a great spiritual endeavor for us brainiac humans to be present the way animals are, rather than be prisoners of our own minds. As long as their basic needs are met, cats don't plague themselves with worry. To them, the past is already long gone and the future doesn't exist yet. Right now is all there is. How simple and elegant. Right here, right now, all is well.
Prrrrrrrr.
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| When, Keaton? NOW??? |
So, how about you, dear reader? Please share how your kitties keep you going.
