Entry tags:
Pet annoynances, pet joys—living with Woof, Dude, and Madison.
Pet annoyance: Woof, the dog with separation anxiety who howls at closed doors until I get up, shower, and spend time with her; who continues to whine and jumps up at every noise, running to the windows to look and see if someone, anyone, has just come home; who noses me under the arm until I pet her, who runs in front of the cats and scares them, who jumps up and down in front of doors and makes a mess. (She is adorable, but still.)
Pet joy: Dude, coming in to the bedroom, jumping up on the bed, and waiting for me to move the laptop aside so that he can climb on me lap. A warm cat lying on my chest, his paws on my shoulders, his forehead resting against mine, purring until he chirps as I pet his cheeks, his forehead, the back of his neck. A cat with his tongue sticking out, his eyes bliss-slit and glowing golden in the sunlight, nosing my nose and turning his head towards scritches.
Pet joy: One cat, Dude, beside me on the bed, resting his head on his curled paws and sleeping. One dog, Woof, lying on the floor at my feet, watching the door and not whining, for a change. One cat, wary little Madison, peeking in, creeping in, and curling up on the laundry pile to watch me and take a nap.
It is bliss. Dude (an indoor/outdoor cat a the old house) has begun making dashes towards open doorways, but he also plays with me every night, an old man cat flipping in circles for a dead shoelace; he comes and visits me and lays nearby, napping. Woof is slowly growing less anxious every time someone leaves the house, 'though it rained last night and so she hasn't been able to go play (and wear off energy) today. Madison has officially emerged from the bedroom, and now hangs out atop the boxes in the living room and is slowly, room by room, investigating all the corners of the house. It's furry and there's a litterbox and they constantly need food, I'm covered in accidental scratches and cuts, the dog steps on the cats and the cats jump on the furniture, but it is so blissfully perfect to be surrounded by animals again. Not just the pigs (who are fine, happy, healthy, and getting plenty of attention), but animals that show affection, who seek attention, who play with toys. They are my kin, my responsibility, my companions. The cats, in particular, are my delight.
Not all is well in my world right now, but some aspects are perfect.
Pet joy: Dude, coming in to the bedroom, jumping up on the bed, and waiting for me to move the laptop aside so that he can climb on me lap. A warm cat lying on my chest, his paws on my shoulders, his forehead resting against mine, purring until he chirps as I pet his cheeks, his forehead, the back of his neck. A cat with his tongue sticking out, his eyes bliss-slit and glowing golden in the sunlight, nosing my nose and turning his head towards scritches.
Pet joy: One cat, Dude, beside me on the bed, resting his head on his curled paws and sleeping. One dog, Woof, lying on the floor at my feet, watching the door and not whining, for a change. One cat, wary little Madison, peeking in, creeping in, and curling up on the laundry pile to watch me and take a nap.
It is bliss. Dude (an indoor/outdoor cat a the old house) has begun making dashes towards open doorways, but he also plays with me every night, an old man cat flipping in circles for a dead shoelace; he comes and visits me and lays nearby, napping. Woof is slowly growing less anxious every time someone leaves the house, 'though it rained last night and so she hasn't been able to go play (and wear off energy) today. Madison has officially emerged from the bedroom, and now hangs out atop the boxes in the living room and is slowly, room by room, investigating all the corners of the house. It's furry and there's a litterbox and they constantly need food, I'm covered in accidental scratches and cuts, the dog steps on the cats and the cats jump on the furniture, but it is so blissfully perfect to be surrounded by animals again. Not just the pigs (who are fine, happy, healthy, and getting plenty of attention), but animals that show affection, who seek attention, who play with toys. They are my kin, my responsibility, my companions. The cats, in particular, are my delight.
Not all is well in my world right now, but some aspects are perfect.