I love my cat, I do I do. And sometimes I feel so guilty. I’ll be busy on the computer and she’ll be moving around my piles of paper that inevitably surround it, and she’ll walk in front of me, and so often it just irritates me. And then I realize, all she wants is some attention. I’m at work so much of the time, and then I come home, and I have chores to do and tasks to accomplish, and I’m focused on that. On me.
She’s not neglected. She’s spoiled in many ways. But I don’t always pay enough attention, and she’s just one example of that.
A day or two ago I was rushing around in the morning, as I normally do, going through my routine. I was about to walk out the door when I looked back and I saw Tempest sitting in the middle of the living room, waiting. It is our ritual that I give her three treats, hiding them in various places. I hadn’t given them to her yet and I had almost forgotten.
She’d have survived, it isn’t about that. It is about being so busy, caught up in the routines the clocks the things we have to get done. It hurt me that I hardly noticed her that morning, that I sometimes brush aside her desire for attention in the evenings. I think back at the furry friends I’ve lost in the past, and at how I’d have given anything for just one more day to spend with them. Would still. And here I am wasting the days and mornings I do have with my current love, who is alive and well, and within reach.
It makes no sense, yet it is so typical of our lives. Well, of mine, anyway. I won’t speak for anyone else.
Day 30 of NaBloPoMo. I made it.
Three things for Thursday:
- Got pet insurance for the Tempest.
- Got plane tickets to FL in Jan! Yippee! Is it Jan yet?
- Worked on the resume.
unrelenting ambiguity 
November 30, 2007 at 10:43 am
First congratulations on reaching your 30 days NaBloPoMo š
So I read this this morning before leaving my house. Beanie (my cat) usually wakes about an hour before I need to get up and makes me get up to feed him. About half the time he comes back to bed with me and the other half of the time he goes and sleeps on the love seat. If he is in the bed he will usually not get up when I shower, get dressed, and leave and I let him sleep. The other half of the time he goes to the top of the steps for a treat. If he is sleeping I don’t usually disturb him. But this morning I saw his eyes open as I grabbed my coat and though he made no effort to get up I grabbed his treats and put to right in front of him. I watched as he gobbled them up and went back to dream land.
I mean if I was a cat that would be an awesome dream. I mean he received treats in his almost sleep.
November 30, 2007 at 11:32 am
Yes, congratulations, I meant to say that in my last comment.
Too, I know the feeling of being pre-occupied by my computer and having these kitties saying hey, notice me, play with me, I’m here! My guys get plenty of attention from me since I’m usually always here but I always want to give them everything.
YOur game of hiding treats sounds funny. My guy Rico would follow me around … no hiding treats from him. He hears the bag and he’s there – like lightening.
I love my guys Rico and Eli – oh yes, Aaron too. š
Hope to write soon. Peace.
November 30, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Congratulations on completing NaBloPoMo…that’s awesome and something to really feel proud of!
It doesn’t pertain to cats, but just yesterday I had a conversation with my brother…about the challenges we’re having with my Mom. Well, mostly the challenges HE’S having with her (they are so alike, it’s ridiculous..and causes alot of fireworks).
Anyway, I told him: “I treat each encounter with Mom like a seperate occurence…I don’t bring any of the stuff from the past into it, if I can help it. That way, I’m not in any sort of expectation nor carrying in any emotional baggage. For all I know, it may be the last time I see her, and I don’t want any regrets.”
My mom is 75 and in pretty good health…so it’s more of a lifestyle for me than a fear where she is concerned. It was birthed when my dad died 8 years ago…He died within an hour of a phone call I had made to him, to check to see how he was feeling…and the last words we exchanged were, “I love you.”
Animals are so forgiving š I’m sure your lovelies will just lap up the attention and you’ll all be in wonderful energy together.
November 30, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Congrats on your 30! That is a cute cat. I love cats, not dogs. Cats have a warrior’s temperament!
November 30, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Rich, thanks! I knew I could make the 30 days, but it is still a bit of a relief to have done it! As for you and Beanie, I’ve always admired how attuned you are to Beanie. And yes, getting treats in your sleep is an awesome dream! š
Ruby, thanks! I think that Tempest probably does get plenty of attention too, but I still feel like when she’s asking for something and I’m not even paying attention, that it is a symptom of something else. Something that I need to work on. As for the treats, sometimes I trick her as I walk around and she will think the treat is in one place, and meanwhile I stash them in other places. One is almost always buried under a pillow on the couch, so while she gets that one, she’s not noticing where I’m hiding the others. Something to keep her entertained, that’s all! š
Grace, thanks! I think your attitude towards your mom is exactly what I’m getting at. Well, with the added thing about not bringing baggage. (not sure how good I’d be at that, but it is certainly worth attempting!) Even though I was talking specifically about Tempest in this post, it really is a sort of universal thing. We never know what tomorrow will bring or even if there will be one, so we need to pay attention to what is right here. And for those we love, we need to know that we were really with them in the time we had with them. I think your example of your last words with your dad is beautiful, and is really perfect – you were able to grieve without any regrets, knowing that he knew and heard the words that you loved him. That is really wonderful.
Scott, thanks! And thanks on the cat. She really is a cutie, and luckily she looooves her picture being taken! She poses for me, I swear! I love cats and dogs, and well, pretty much all animals (though humans often make me want to make an exception!), but I’ve had a cat only household for a while now. (it is just easier, and more convenient for apartment/condo dwelling, especially working full time!) But it is funny that you talk about cats and a warrior temperament! Tempest somehow has three names. Her normal name, a spirit name, and a warrior name. I don’t know why! However her warrior name is “Tempest Fugit.” lol.