The Cat

When The Kid was getting ready to move to the other side of the world, she needed to figure out what to do with The Cat. She adopted The Cat seven years ago and for some of that time The Cat (and The Kid) lived with me. As the time for her (The Kid, not The Cat) to start her new life grew closer, there was still no plan in place for The Cat. I love The Cat, but I didn't want her (The Cat, not The Kid) staying with me for a year. I'm at a spot in my life where just taking care of myself is enough responsibility. I didn't want to be tied down or vacuum up cat fur or change and clean the litter box. Flights were booked, bags were packed, and I relented and became the foster parent of The Cat. The Cat and I love and tolerate each other.

Three things about The Cat:

-She is very smart. The Cat has found ways to communicate with me. And I've learned to listen to determine what she is trying to tell me. Different meows and mews and actions mean different things. One example - The Kid would brush The Cat, but I never did. For a few days in a row, The Cat would cry and roll on the floor, stomach up. She would get up, rub my legs, and start the rolling on the floor again. AHA! After getting through my bewilderment and annoyance, The Cat made it clear to me that she wanted to be brushed. Once I listened and figured that out, she turned this into an evening routine. Some say she has trained me, and I suppose she has, but I now like brushing her. I like that by tuning into her voice and actions, we communicated. I need to polish this skill more for my every day interactions with people. What are people really saying and what do they really want? Am I listening closely enough or am I too involved in my own "stuff" to understand a plain message?

- She is very social. When the doorbells rings, which is seldom at my house, The Cat runs to the top of the stares to see who is coming to visit. She greets the guests silently and will sniff them to determine who they are. After checking the visitor out, she may or may not stay around. She may wander off to one of her favorite hidden napping spots, but she will often hang around the feet of the visitors or brush up against their legs. She knows which people she can jump up on and which ones to don't want her on them. She nips at some people - sometimes to tell them to quit petting her and sometimes for attention. The Cat scares some people because she is an occasional biter. I love that she gets excited when people come to our house and her excitement makes me more excited that Someone Else Is Here. The Cat makes the choice of who she want she spend time with,  how to spend that time,and she is clear about what she wants. I need to polish this skill more for my every day interactions with people.Am I genuinely glad to see people? Can I spend the time I want with them? Can I clearly tell them I need more or less than what they are offering me?

- She is very loving.  We do have a routine for our peaceful times together. I have set the routines and she knows to come and cuddle. I often will lay on my couch; sometimes for a nap and sometimes to meditate. When The Cat hears I am no longer moving around, and am quietly settled on the couch, she will rouse herself from wherever she is sleeping and join me on the couch. She lays on my chest and purrs. Listening to and feeling her purr is starts my relaxation and meditation. I have a friend who calls this "The Purr Zone". As I get into a deeper state of relaxation, The Cat gently and quietly moves and lays by my legs on my left side. I drift off - meditating or sleeping; at peace; calm; warm; comfortable. I always get up refreshed. On my busy days, when I don't take the time for a nap or meditation session, The Cat is a little more persnickety and more inclined to bite me. I've learned that she needs this quiet time with me as much as I do. I need to polish this skill more for my every day interactions with people. Am I appreciating people for what they are and taking time to just be with them? Am I at peace and comfortable with those around me? Can people trust what I do, without fear that I will hurt them?

The Kid is deciding whether to spend nine extra months in her world-away life. If she stays, I will have one more year of vacuuming and sweeping up fur, cleaning the litter box, and making adjustments in order to take holidays or go away for a few days. If she (The Kid, not The Cat) decides to come home as planned, I will get my freedom back in just a few months from now. The Cat and I DO love and tolerate each other, but I look forward to my life being unencumbered by her. Whatever The Kid decides, eventually The Cat will move out and I will miss The Cat. Don't tell The Kid.