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lessons from my cats

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Posted 4/4/2017 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
In our household there are 8 cats. Others have left here, one way or another and many have taught me things that I couldn't seem to learn any other way.

Sensei has cerubellar hypoplasia, a brain deformity. He is spastic and moves like a drunk. The other cats mostly ignore him. He NEVER gives up. He NEVER feels sorry for himself. The only thing he needs help with is grooming.

Tigger has seizures and light sensitivity. To help him through a seizure, we call his name, let him know he is not alone, that we want him to 'come back to us'. When he first came to us he would hide under the bed and only come out after lights out. In the dark he was more 'comfortable' and confident. As time went on he learned that this is a safe place for him and no longer hides under the bed till dark.

Pumpkin would 'say' hello and give hugs. He loved snuggling and affection on his terms. Too much, and he would swipe at you!

Monkey is bulimic. Moderation is a foreign concept for her. While she is fastidious in every other way, she has no issues with leaving certain 'chores' to the care of others. The dog and I race each other to 'clean up' after one of her 'bouts'.

All of them claim that there is absolutely nothing wrong with sleeping 16 hours a day...as long as you make sure to eat, drink, keep yourself clean and spend a little time each day in the company of others.

All of them have shown me that one cannot expect others to be mind readers and that it is okay to 'get' your needs met. Sometimes, you have to whine a little...squeaky wheels get oiled.

These are just a few of the 'coping skills' our cats have taught me.
Posted 4/4/2017 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
That's a great post pitmon. You really have quite a houseful. Sounds wonderful ( aside from the odd clean-up ) to have such a diverse array of feline company. Kudos to you for giving them a loving home smile

Lupin has taught me a few things too. Although I grew up with cats in our household, I still learn things from her and other critters.
For instance, I seldom forget to top up her rather large water dish,
but I do slip up once in a while. Lupins solution : when I am on the
toilet she comes in and jumps into the bathtub. She will regularly
wait for me at the bathroom door, but the only time she jumps into
the ( empty ;) tub is when I have forgotten and her water dish is dry. If she is hungry she sits by the bottom door in one of my kitchen cabinets that I keep her food in. If I don't notice her, she will
do a little clawing at that door.

It would be a poorer world if we didn't have cats. Even the ancient
Egyptians knew about the powers of cats : the sphinx is an amazing
tribute to our furry friends.

In about anouther month, maybe a little longer, Lupin and I will be
going camping at a camper that I have beside the water and far enough from the road that there is no noise. That is her favourite
thing to do. I'm already looking forward to heading to the camp smile
Posted 4/4/2017 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I love this thread. Pitmom and Derwood, thank you. I don't have a cat, but I have a dog. She is kind of a special needs dog. She has kidney issues. Prescription food. No protein.

She is so spoiled. It is hard to have a conversation on the phone or in person. She has to be right in the middle.

She wont go potty outside unless somebody is out there with her. In the winter it is hard, but that is just one of her quirks.

You got to love them. They give us so much "unconditional" love...

Hugs to you both...

Karen...
Posted 4/4/2017 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I recently took a stressful trip, the annual parental visitation to my cranky 90+ yr old father. When I got home I felt like crap and had a cold.

An application of "Velcro Kitty" cured me quickly!

My little 8-lb, 17 yr old, tortoiseshell, Shadow, is a one-person cat and she generally sticks close-by - but after I'm gone a few days she becomes: Velcro Kitty! lol

She is lying within arms reach in a patch of sun as I type.
Posted 4/4/2017 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome Lynnwood,

They sure can be comforting when we need it. Glad your trip is over...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/5/2017 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
I love this! My cats are very picky about touches. My female cat mainly wants attention from my dad, but will take it from mom or I if dad isn't home. My male cat is loving when he wants to be. Lol. He will sleep with me and let me or mom pet him, for some odd reason he is scared of dad. I have no idea. He teaches me daily that while he loves me, too much love and he gets pissy. So I have learned to take the loves and then leave it alone when he has had enough. I spent my whole life with cats and I get verry depressed if I do not have one around.
Posted 4/16/2017 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
I have four cats. I've had cats most of my life so I get it. They are funny and all have their little quirks. I don't know if I could have gotten through my boyfriend passing away and my back surgery with out my kitties. Anyway, long time no see.. HI!
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