What's In It For Me - A Tribute to Kitty
This blog is all about taking care of our sugar babies. Do this, do that, and this, and this, oh and also don’t forget that thing. When caring for a special needs cat, dog, human or otherwise, we can get wrapped up in the “work” of it all and feel akin to an indentured servant especially when the desired results are slow in coming. This is totally normal, and a lot of us get frustrated and then feel guilty for it. If you are worried or feel guilty, you are probably doing fine. In any event, I want to focus on what cats do for us for a change despite how selfish and introverted they sometimes seem.
We always have a companion. Even if Kitty is not a lap cat and prefers to be at a distance, chances are Kitty knows exactly what is going on. I would swear they can teleport from any location instantly to warm items just pulled out of the dryer. I look down and there is a cat in the basket every single time! I usually also have four helpers when changing bed sheets who all love to dive under the sheets as I try to straighten them (no hospital folds in this house). Even my older kitties still love to help make the bed, and it is hilarious. Any blanket hanging from a recliner foot rest or a tablecloth is an instant kitty fort from which to watch, stalk, and sometimes just sleep in hiding.
Kitty watching is so much more interesting than people watching, most of the time anyway. Kitty will find some odd ball item to play with like a piece of paper and the others watch from a distance to evaluate the pros and cons of joining in, stealing the item, or just sticking to their chosen observatory. We also get to watch the occasional wrestling match or kitty sliding around a corner like a race car taking the turn and spinning out a bit. Kitties are agile, but it doesn’t always go as planned. I feel bad for laughing at it, but sometimes it is just too funny.
Kitties will also alert you to potential prey (toy) such as bugs, spiders, geckos (we live in Florida), frogs, and/or squirrels. The tail will be banging against the window sill and often they start meowing and pawing at the glass. My older kitty has found the occasional gecko in the house and scares it into shock. Then he proceeds to yell and cry at me, I am assuming to revive the “toy”, and I take it outside to go on its merry way. He then spends the next hour searching the area for his treat and yells at me some more. This situation is usually resolved with a little catnip or a new toy (I have a stash).
One of the best moments to have with Kitty is walking into a room and hear them immediately start purring just because you are there. Laying on their back or their side and kneading in the air is a very close second to that one. You just have to pet them at that point.
Kitties also provide comfort. I know I joke about being the peasant of the house, but every time someone has been ill, upset, or just not themselves, a kitty has been there as a sleeping companion, an emotional support animal, a motivator because duh they have their exact feeding time (had to), and even serve to relieve pain and stress. Petting a purring kitty is great meditation. They do seem to sense when something is amiss, and they can be very sweet and comforting. My Zeus will lay on my pillow when I have a migraine and purr until I fall asleep, which, to me, is one of the best treatments a person could ask for.
I also feel that there is no better binge watching partner than a kitty. They just chill, don’t steal the remote, or complain about the volume or subtitles. If you want to binge with kitty, anything narrated by David Attenborough seems to fascinate many cats. Perhaps that voice is the heartthrob of kitties (I do not know but I have seen cats also teleport into the room when he talks so… he is at least close to as good as a basket of warm laundry.) It is an excuse to watch The Blue Planet at the very least.
Handling feline diabetes and other illnesses can be stressful, overwhelming, and frustrating, and it takes work. Even with the recent necessary life changes we have had to endure, when weighed against what Kitty gives us, I think we humans are still getting the best of the bargain.
Be safe out there (or at home). Give Kitty some extra scratches from us!
As always, the Feline Diabetes Support Group on FB is a great resource with great admins and community members who are caring and very, very helpful.