By Kay and Shadow Luckett
My name is Shadow, Mama’s black cat. Today I yukked up my first kitty gift of the season—an odd-shaped wet thing, which is a far cry from the lizards and birds I used to leave when I was indoor/outdoor.
This latest situation calls for a few tricks—one is that our grooming efforts must be sped up to double time as I do not particularly like chocking these things up. Besides that, Mama doesn’t like them and starts to hover over me to be sure I am okay. She really gets uptight when these goopy goodies have bits of food. Add this most recent big one to the Hairball Hall of Fame.
Some of the side remedies for hairballs are really tricky, such as that funny tasting gel she tries to jam down my throat. The only hairball remedies I like are extra-long grooming sessions along with a specially made kibble hairball remedy. Don’t ask me how these work, but they are better than that gel stuff. Though I have to admit that the gel does loosen things up when I’m constipated.
Now for the discussion about my sleeping habits. Mama knows I need to sleep all day. I hear her creeping around my quiet space to check on my breathing. At my top senior weight of six pounds and almost fifteen years old, I may look like a bundle of feathers piled on the bed. But hey, that’s me asleep, resting up for my regular nocturnal pursuits.
What I treasure is the time to do what cats naturally need to do: sleep 15-20 hours a day. Biologically, it allows feline healing and regenerating that ultimately gets passed on. It’s said that a cat’s purring vibrations are peaceful and healing to all.
Now it’s almost time to rise, eat dinner as the sun sets, and ready myself for my midnight prowling antics. Tonight I will be yowling at the moon, jumping over and onto the snoring lump in the bed, and attempting robbery as I try to pry open the pantry door.
Yay for your midnight slumbering as I creep onto the kitchen counters, the dining room table, and check the toilet to see if the lid was left open. I know that the toilet water is the big no-no. Mama says that there are always hidden toxins down there, but I keep hoping to find it open to see for myself.
Next up for cat tips is to settle the eternal question about the meaning of life: Who Rescued Whom? Remembering that I own and preside over you, that I bless you with my presence, that you use my name for your online password, and that I give your life meaning and joy—again, I ask who rescued whom?
As to the subject of clingy-ness, please, no one use the word ‘pest’. When I am asleep, you hover, when I am aloof, you persist, and when I meow, you listen and fetch.
I hear some whispers about cats and dogs being… what? Vegan? Seriously? A carnivore is a carnivore. Please pay attention: Do you want to kill off my species?
I hunt because, as soft and sweet as I am at home, I am by nature a sleek, panther-like huntress, eating what nature designed me to eat. My favs are baby lizards in the spring, mice all the time, and hopefully, a baby bird or two now and for the holidays.
Showing how much I love you is subtle. Here are some of the many ways I show how kitty-love is given and received. When I blink at Mama, she slow blinks back. When I follow her around—not asking for anything—she talks or sings to me. When I want to be on the chair, she offers me her lap. And, most fun of all, when I am making biscuits, she gives me space on her blanket.
Did you know that when cats yawn and stretch for seemingly no reason, it’s our way of showing love because we feel safe with you? And did you know that when we rub up against you, we’re actually marking you with our scent to show that we trust you? We stare for no reason, but when we blink, it’s a kiss.
Mama is a good blinker. She never jostles me when I am asleep, and she tickles me under my chin.
Finally, it’s important you’re aware that I also show love by snuggling up, purring loudly, rolling over, and by bringing goodies mentioned before—including the big wet gooey one I left today.
Sending feline best wishes to all for a happy summer season. MEOW
