Today I’ll share some of the lessons I’ve learnt from my Cat - Lucky. However this doesn’t mean that I’m striving to be like an animal or as a matter of fact, a Cat. There is nothing better than being a human being with all of our potentials and qualities. Moreover there are things I even loathe about Lucky, of which I may share some other day.
As of today, let me share the good lessons I’ve learned from her. As a Cat lover I may be a little biased here but I’m hopeful there are lessons you can relate to. I’m more of a Cat person as I value independence (Sense of self) and personal freedom. I’m the curious type and loves creativity. I like to think differently. That leaves me a little anxious most of the time but I don’t mind it. And I prefer getting together with people of my type. So, basically these are the qualities I admire.
Anyways, following are the lessons from lucky:
Self-care
Most people claim that they love themselves but when it comes to self-care they are skeptical. Lucky has a daily routine and she is persistent on sticking with it. She is consistent in maintaining a right balance between her solitude and our comfort. When she is too tired from a day out, she will seek a dark, cozy and warm corner to rest. Likewise she is very particular with her food (so unlucky for us) and her peaceful time.
Curiosity & Courage
When we leave for our day work, she also sneaks out into the neighborhood. We have no idea where she wanders during daytime. A couple of times I had to rescue her from the attic of my administration block. Another time we have spotted her being chased away by a dog quite far away from home. I can’t help but to imagine and wonder where she wanders during daytime. I even wrote a short story based on my imagination of her wanders. I find it quite interesting, yet intimidating. Sometimes she would return with scratch marks and wounds on her body, but that doesn’t stop her from her adventures the following day.
Play/Joy/Fun
She is a serious, reserved and proud Cat, but she likes to play quite often. She would signal and beg us when she wants to play. Especially during weekends and holidays when we are home she will play more. All she needs is a paper roll or a thread knot. We have to throw it and she will chase. She will play until she is tired. Sometimes she will find those toys herself and starts to play throwing them in the air and catching them.
Fighting Spirit
Lucky is a fighter. She has survived a lot of accidents and tragedies in her almost 3 years of life so far. She was the weakest and the lone survivor of four siblings. As a few months old kitten she fell from our 4 to 5 meters high balcony and survived without any injuries. Another time, I have accidentally stepped on her and dislocated her jaw. She has recovered from it finally after almost a year. When she began her heat cycles, we have spayed her. She has survived the operation with so many discomforts. Her survival in our neighborhood filled with a lot of stray dogs is a miracle. A lot of Cats appeared and disappeared from our neighborhood but she survived. The mightiest of all is her survival from Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Distemper) infection. This disease is said to be highly contagious and potentially fatal for Cats. Lucky suffered badly from it for almost two weeks. Most of the Cats infected with the virus in our neighborhood didn’t survive.
Adaptability
She is a shy, anxious and somewhat introvert Cat. She doesn’t mingle with other Cats and people alike, but she is quite adaptable. We have taken her to many places and exposed her to different environments. She would even wander in the new place and always found her way back to us somehow. One time we took her along for camping. Another time we took her back to her birthplace. She has adapted and survived anyhow.
Privacy
Cats in general honor their privacy and peaceful time, and Lucky is no different. She cherishes lone time more than anything. Sometimes she would disappear all of a sudden, especially when there are children in the house to find a secluded corner to hide. If you are an artist or a creative person, you will be able to relate with lucky. Moreover, everybody needs a little space and time of their own to think, reflect and also to relax.
Sense of belonging and connection
Having said that she honors privacy, she is not indifferent. She loves and seeks our comfort as much as she prefers isolation. She would beg for our warmth and caress. Similarly, no matter how much she trust and seek comfort from us, she always seems to have a soft corner for her own type. She wakes up from her slumbers and reacts when a Cat screams or calls for help from outside. She would respond instantly when we watch Cat videos (which my wife does quite often). Lucky found her place with us but she always reserves a soft corner for her own type. She cares for them despite their numerous territorial conflicts.
Most important of all, these lessons are of a Cat that has been taken good care of. These qualities are reflection of all the love and care we have showered her with. She wasn’t born lucky but she was made lucky. Fate might have played some role in the beginning but the rest is a result of deliberate love and intentional care given to her. So the key ingredient is Love and Care. Her trust and affection towards us is her way of reciprocating our love towards her. If you admire these qualities, love is the answer.
Thank You
P.S. If you are interested, I read a beautiful story titled Cat Person written by Kristen Roupenian. If you couldn’t read my short story for August month, you can read it here.