I am a Cat Lady. I am not a “Mean Old Cat Lady” I would like to correct that statement. It is a title/description I used often but have found that it is no longer true. I also do not use the word “spinster”. I was corrected that I am not cold or detached. Taking this into account I am an amusing, congenial and feminine. Now back to the cats…
I am the proud and impoverished owner of three well cared for rescue felines. In the days before political correctness I would call them “Alley Cats”. Why three? It started with the loss of my cat that I had put down after 20 years. I had the agonizing task of ending her suffering from cancer. I still have not forgiven myself for this action but there was nothing that could be done to end her suffering… there was not any quality of life… I cried for 24 hours without stop. I swore to never have another cat or pet I am not strong enough to tolerate such emotions… Three days later I am looking for a cat.
There is a lovely site on line http://www.petfinder.com/! You can search by area, breed, age and special needs. Jack Pot! I knew that I wanted two cats to keep each other company. I do travel and I felt guilt leaving my poor cat alone. I find two lovely females and ask to meet them at the rescue. They are all that I could have hoped for. Calm, friendly and loving. Yeah! I will take them. I ready myself to write a check but before I can put pen to paper I am asked “would you want to look at one more cat?” No, I am good with two. “We have had a very hard time placing him” I really do not need
three cats. “Just take a look at him” Okay… I relent.
In walks this gray cat with the softest fur and biggest eyes I have ever seen. He is friendlier than the other two and is in my lap and purring first thing. This is when I noticed that I have SUCKER tattooed on my forehead. I am then told buy two get one free… Off we go the new cat family of three. I will refer to the gray cat as Grayboy.
I am the proud and impoverished owner of three well cared for rescue felines. In the days before political correctness I would call them “Alley Cats”. Why three? It started with the loss of my cat that I had put down after 20 years. I had the agonizing task of ending her suffering from cancer. I still have not forgiven myself for this action but there was nothing that could be done to end her suffering… there was not any quality of life… I cried for 24 hours without stop. I swore to never have another cat or pet I am not strong enough to tolerate such emotions… Three days later I am looking for a cat.
There is a lovely site on line http://www.petfinder.com/! You can search by area, breed, age and special needs. Jack Pot! I knew that I wanted two cats to keep each other company. I do travel and I felt guilt leaving my poor cat alone. I find two lovely females and ask to meet them at the rescue. They are all that I could have hoped for. Calm, friendly and loving. Yeah! I will take them. I ready myself to write a check but before I can put pen to paper I am asked “would you want to look at one more cat?” No, I am good with two. “We have had a very hard time placing him” I really do not need
three cats. “Just take a look at him” Okay… I relent.In walks this gray cat with the softest fur and biggest eyes I have ever seen. He is friendlier than the other two and is in my lap and purring first thing. This is when I noticed that I have SUCKER tattooed on my forehead. I am then told buy two get one free… Off we go the new cat family of three. I will refer to the gray cat as Grayboy.
Grayboy is not the brightest of cats. He was found in a box as a kitten. He was very ill and had massive infections in his ears, eyes and nose. After much treatment he recovered but there were some lingering issues. First he is slow… I mean really slow… If cats could use sharp instruments his would be plastic with a safety tip. Physically he cannot hold his head strait. It is at a 45 degree tilt and he walks sideways. He is also prone to colds and nasal issues. Did you know that cats can be prescribed nasal decongestants?
You can also hear him busily doing kitty sniffing investigation from across the house.
Why did cats come to mind today? I have found Grayboy trapped in the bathroom vanity more than once. This cat who is confused by almost everything has managed to learn to open the bath vanity drawers. Once a drawer has been opened he crawls into the drawer and moves his way into the back of the cabinet. Once there he becomes trapped because he hasn’t a reverse strategy. In addition he has not comprehended that you can push the cabinet door open.
I hear in the distance a faint mewing. I start my search for the sound… only to find a cat in the bathroom vanity. This cat has the nerve to look at me with the tone of “what took you so long, isn’t this just the best place and would you pet me please?” The other two cats just look at Grayboy in stunned wonder. I can see their little cat minds thinking “you are so stupid”
Alas, what is a Cat Lady to do?
I buy 18lbs of dry cat food “dry, crunchy, crap” every three weeks.
I purchase Nine Lives assorted food packs (wet, stinky, cat food) every three weeks (this averages to 16 cans a month)
Add in 15 pounds of scoopable cat litter weekly. (litter freshener and pan liners too)
Health Care (Grayboy needs his med’s)
Micro chips (incase someone may get lost)
Keeping their side of the bed on high (electric mattress pad).Assorted toys and a cat nip supply.
Vacuum Cleaner Filters
Fur removers
Add all this up and you get to impoverished in a hurry. Now to all of this a single woman without children is about to buy “Safety 1st Cabinet and Drawer Latches” Heavy Sigh…
Why do I do all this? Because of never ending cuteness. Unconditional love. The joy of hot cat breathe waking you in the morning so that “dry, crunchy, crap” can be dispensed. The sounds of a purr lulling you to sleep… and finally those three little furry faces happily waiting for you at the door when you come home from a really long and wretched day at work. I will admit it is even better than a vodka based beverage!
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