My cat and I have settled on her routine of choice

[JJT]

It took nearly a year, but my cat has finally got me well trained. The greatest success has come while I have been unemployed and serving her every need. This morning she has taught me something very valuable.

Our morning routine starts with her trying to gently wake me up by a few soft meows and tickles on my cheek from her whiskers. If that does not wake me up, then she gets more insistent and will start poking my cheek with her nose and meowing a bit louder. If those attempts fail, she will curl her body around my face so I cannot breath. If I merely roll over and go back to sleep, she jumps back on the bed, meowing to wake the dead and sticks her little nose right up my nostril. That usually does it.

Once awake, my first and only duty is to open the two doors leading to the great out side. Only after this am I allowed to have my morning cigarette, Dr Pepper, bathroom stop and finally open the other eye.

Have I mentioned that this all happens anywhere between four and six o’clock in the morning, no matter what time I finally went to bed the night before? I use the pre-dawn time to do job searches, delete junk from my email and hopefully get some breakfast.

Once the morning romp in the back yard is complete, my cat comes in the house to announce it is now nap time and she heads towards my bedroom. This is my clue that I am to stop whatever it is that I am doing IMMEDIATELY, and go tuck her in. Once she is asleep, I can sneak out of the room and back to whatever it was I was doing.

This morning I noticed something as I lay on the bed stroking her little head in the manner pleasing to her. She rolled over and exposed her underbelly to me, her most vulnerable self. As I listened to her purr as I rubbed her throat, it occurred to me that there isn’t a human being that I would show such vulnerability. I am too afraid. I don’t trust. I build walls. I wonder if I can ever be that vulnerable again?

Then I realize I have fantastic friends who can teach me, gently or with a swift kick in the arse. I ain’t fooling anyone! They know my troubles, and like me anyway!

I learned this morning that if I want to purr again, I have to allow myself to be vulnerable and trust again. I think I might be ready.

But, shhhhh, kitty is still sleeping!

[California Sunshine]

Ah JJT that is a wonderful story and lesson learned


Heck yes the cats RULE us don't they?

[nimuay]

Very sweet, JJT!

[LeBeau]

My cats are my joy and my best reminders of the proper priorities (though I could live with NOT watching the sun rise more often than they believe )

[Waitin_4_J]

What a cute story! Your cat reminds me so much of mine. My Ichabod is the boss of this house and he is so kind to allow my continued presence here; I do think it's just for the food and attention though. I couldn't resist adding a pic of my baby