Gifts from my feline friends

Seamus was sitting in my lap, looking up at me with adoring eyes (at least it seemed that way).  

He was drooling a little each time I stroked his little chin or the sides of his face (he really likes that). It did make me laugh a little as I wiped him and me with a tissue. It also made me think about what it means to have pets in my life. It means I am never alone at home. It means that I can talk to them, hear my voice and not feel as though I am babbling to myself. I think they love me, but I know I love them, and each one seems to provide something different (I have 3 cats right now) for me. So I decided it was time to write about what the cats do for me.

Seamus is a ginger tabby with soft medium length fur. He provides me with unconditional love and adoration. I don't have to call him because he comes to me at the sound of my voice. What's interesting is he knows the difference in my voice from speaking to others or speaking to him. When I'm talking to someone else in the house he looks over at me, watches, but doesn't move. However if I am looking in his direction or sometimes just thinking out loud he usually gets up and walks over to where I am. He watches me a lot, and if I just motion toward him, he's on his way to me. He is amazing and fills me with joy every time I look at him or pet him.

He also likes hugs and drinking from the water faucet. In fact when he jumps on the sink to drink from the faucet he waits for his hug first. I put my right arm under his belly and my left under his chin, rest my head on his back and hug him (very gently I might add). He seems to love that and will jump up there if I tap the sink. Then he waits for his hug. He loves to be brushed, petted, stroked, almost anything except having his back scratched - he frowns on that.

Giuseppe is a long-haired bi-colour, big and beautiful blue-eyed ragdoll, and he is very easy going and mellow and loves affection. But he also likes to play hard to get. He will walk past me, and if I lean to pet him he bolts. He likes to go to another room and howl until I go and find him. When I get there he runs. He's very talkative and quips a questioning tone at me frequently. He loves to be brushed and rolls around on the floor when I hold up the brush. But he wants me to go to him, not him to me. So with that in mind I think he helps me get some exercise. He is also very playful and will chase toys and strings and kitty toys. He just won't bring them back. I have to retrieve everything (more exercise). He is very good company, and I talk to him constantly. He seems to like it.

Chloe, my only little girl, keeps me humble (don't we all need that). She plays hard to get too but with a twist. She follows me from room to room chirping and mewing. I call it talking and always chat back with her, but I am not allowed to reach for her. Other rules include closing doors (the rule being that she will do the closing) especially the fridge, (she pushes her little head against it and walks it closed). Another one is not walking past her while she is eating and keeping the noise level low in the house. She insists on sleeping on my bed either on top of me (my stomach) or leaning against me. Also I must not move too much.

Having lived her first year of life outside in someone's back yard near a busy intersection she has a bit of PTSD and an exaggerated startle response to any noise. She does not like to be picked up. If I reach for her she bolts. Strange noises even something like a sneeze or cough will send her running, and dropping things is totally taboo. She will run, hide and not return till all is quiet. But she has an amazing purr that can be heard across the room. It is very soothing at night. She's also entertaining without even trying. When she watches the birds through the window whether in the trees or flying she has to chirp and talks to them. I think her chatter is musical. And though I like to think that I rescued her, I'm really honoured that she graces my home.

Linda Gavitt (US)

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