Thursday, October 15, 2009

I Have a Cat!?

Cat loves sleeping in The Box

I was never an animal person. When I was a kid we briefly had a dog, but I was afraid of her. I was afraid of all farm animals. I didn't like cats. They were so hard to understand, and a little creepy. They'd always choose to jump into MY lap when I visited a cat owner's house. Why, when there were authentic Cat Lovers present who would gladly offer their lap??

About ten years ago I worked in a school program with two cat lovers. They told me stories about their cats and insisted I would love a cat if I would only give it a chance and open up my home to a cat. I was adamant that they were wrong. I could never love a cat, and I would certainly never willingly have one in my home.

Famous last words. My daughter had moved into her own apartment, and she got a little kitty. Ew, I thought. Why would she do that? After a while she needed to move back home, and so along came the kitty. Well, it's temporary, I told myself. I can survive.

The impossible happened! I fell in love! The crazy cat was so endearing, so cute, and funny the way it would chase its own tail, run wildly after little milk bottle caps (and drop them into our shoes), help us make the bed (ha!). And the killer: when one of us felt sad, the cat seemed to sense the sadness; he came and sat quietly next to the sad person. Calmly. Patiently. Lovingly. Here I am. I love you. Things will get better. Purr, purr. Aren't I soft? Pet me, and we'll both feel better.

Our daughter and Cat moved out again. I worried about Cat. Our daughter is never home! This cat needs people. Really needs people around him. So... eventually we inherited Cat, or so it seems. Daughter asked us to cat-sit about two months ago, and has not asked for him back. I think she knows: Cat is better off at "grandparents" house. Gwamma and Gwampa stay home, they play with Cat, they brush him, clean his litter box, and take him to the vet for shots. Everyone is happier.

Thanks to Cat, you know what else I learned? I learned to love all animals way more than I thought I ever would! Dogs and everything (though I am more a cat person than a dog person.) I'm not afraid of dogs (finally)! I'm more interested in zoo animals now (not just the giraffes). I'm grateful to our sweet cat for teaching me so many lessons. He is sitting here right now, patiently watching me type, waiting for me to have time to cuddle. I'll do it, happily.

My friends were right! I learned to love a cat! Purr, purr.


helping me sew

12 comments:

Quiltycat said...

What a sweet post you have today! I love cats and all the animals and I agree...they make us better peoples!
nichi

Clare said...

Cat sounds as if he has fallen on his paws!

They are adorable animals. Are you going to let him be a quilt quality controller. I still miss my QQC terribly.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Lovely, wonderful post . . . as we've just adopted MIL's two cats into our one-cat household, I totally understand your newfound fascination and appreciation!

Purrs to you!!!!!

Unknown said...

They still make me shiver and shake! I am glad Cat has found a good place to be! Enjoy!

Torina said...

Your cat is adorable! I love those big feet :)

hetty said...

I love you post today! What a cute kitty! Love those feet! I can see how you could have been taken under control by that sweet feline!

Elaine Adair said...

You have missed a LOT of dear stories without a cat - maybe you can make up for that time. LOVE those feet! And how kitty is helping you sew. 8-)) I don't have a cat, or a dog - dang it - I've always had one until 2nd marriage ... drat!

Elaine Adair said...

You have missed a LOT of dear stories without a cat - maybe you can make up for that time. LOVE those feet! And how kitty is helping you sew. 8-)) I don't have a cat, or a dog - dang it - I've always had one until 2nd marriage ... drat!

AnnieO said...

I love cats and have never been without one for long in my adult life. Dogs do dog things and a lot of dog things are annoying; I seem to tolerate cats' bad habits more easily! So far I have not had a cat help me sew like that (hilarious pic!) but Mini, my current cat, likes to hang out in my sewing room with me and favors my favorite quilt for her naps:)

AlaskatoIreland said...

That is awesome. I still fall into the "no pets for me" category, although I have lived with many animals (belonging to roomies) in the past years. I love your story.

Sharon said...

I love cats. So glad to hear you have (finally!) fallen under Cat's spell. They have a way of worming their way into your heart. Right now my kitties are giving me lots of attention to help me heal. When I get to the quilt studio again, they'll be right there too!

Sue said...

We now have two cats living here, one inside and the other outside. Both belong to different daughters and are only here 'short term.' The first to arrive has lived with us for 4 years. Hopefully the other one will leave at Christmas.
I am a dog person, not a cat person!