October 13, 2003

dodger

Am eating big warm breakfast. Have got my warm, red-stripey socks on and Kitten is singing to the Dixie Chicks from our cozy spot on the bed. It's a v. good day off from work. Thank you, Columbus!

When Kitten first came to me, it was tremendous shock and a disappointment that she did not love me without reservation. Did not even come out from under the bed. The very reason had wanted a kitten so much was for that cuddly, complication-free affection inherent with small, furry animals. And so, one night (exactly a year ago today), after being in my home for nearly two months, when she climbed up on the bed and plopped herself down in my lap to have me pet her, I was touched.

And now, a year later, after every expert on feral cats said it wouldn't happen, we nap together, we play, she seeks me out for a kiss on her fuzzy little head, and she's even begun to make peace with my friends. What changed her mind?

I guess sometimes those we love mistrust us and dodge and scatter for reasons all of their own. And one day, should they decide to take us up on that offering of love, it's just our job to offer an open lap and not ask too many questions.

Posted by This Fish at October 13, 2003 10:34 AM
Comments

Ah, that's sweet... and oh so true.

Posted by: Belle at October 13, 2003 11:06 AM

A good pet is worth twice its weight in gold. From my experience, a rescued or former stray can learn to love its new "owner" more deeply than an animal that always had a good place to live.

Posted by: Texas T-bone at October 13, 2003 12:41 PM

Excellent take. We once took in an emaciated blue Burmese with a raging abdominal infection. She hid in the couch. (not UNDER. IN.) For weeks.

Then I am awakened at 3 a.m. one night. The kitty is standing on my chest, trying to suckle my chin stubble.

Posted by: Lex at October 13, 2003 01:18 PM

There's no better entertainment value than the simple life of a bassett hound....

Posted by: fish at October 13, 2003 02:23 PM

Fish, you are oh so wise in the ways of Kittens, or for that matter, humans with Kitten-like personalities. True love and patience can overcome the inevitable scratches and feral misfortune to make you the sole beneficary of many years of warm naps and sweet kitten kisses.

Posted by: booradley at October 13, 2003 03:41 PM

Aw man. Columbus didn't give me any days off.

My cat is the same way though. She was a stray who wouldn't come out from under my bed for weeks at first (and for another week or two after her cross-country move) but now she's well-adjusted and totally affectionates me like mad. Cats kick ass.

Posted by: jennn at October 13, 2003 09:40 PM

You can always count on a dog to greet you like Dino greeted Fred on the Flintstones. Unless it's a hound.

Posted by: Katherine at October 14, 2003 02:07 AM

I had a feral cat that did the same thing... took him 4 years to be cuddly...and he was so cuddly then!

He did have a running-away problem, though. But he was cuddly when he was around.

Posted by: Anne at October 14, 2003 11:16 AM

I found the last paragraph interesting in the context of your relationship with your parents. Because you expanded the idea to "non-pets," those were the first people I thought of. I wonder how you see that relationship in light of these post.

A friend of mine has two dogs and four cats in a three-story (sp?) rowhouse that can't be more than 20ft wide. But I can handle the cats much more than the 80lb one-and-a-half year old labrador "puppy".

Posted by: Michael at October 14, 2003 12:48 PM