The Love of a Good Cat
Most people who know me well would probably say that I am obsessed with and love all cats. That’s not exactly true. I like all animals, but reserve my love for the two cats who live with me and are my family.
Love doesn’t always look like the portrayals we see on TV and the movies, or read about in books. I think we find love in unusual places, and often, when we least expect it. Like when you walk down an alley in Fayette. That sounds a bit sketchy now that I reread it, but I did actually meet a lovely person several years ago as I was wandering down Crib Street on my way to work.
I read a Facebook post a few days ago on this exact topic. It was written by a friend whose cat had recently passed away. She described their first meeting as one of a cat that was certain this was to be his human, making sure she noticed him by putting his paws around her neck for a hug. She went on to write that her life hasn’t been the traditional path of marriage and children, and that pets hold a significant place in her life: “He was happiness and joy. He was unconditional love. He was my source of peace and comfort. He was my touchstone and rock. To feel a sense of peace, all I had to do was rub his belly.”
I have a special admiration for this friend and others like her who serve as cat foster moms and dads. They take in animals who are often suffering (both physically and emotionally), give them heaps of healing love, and send them off into the world through adoption. I don’t think I could do that. There was a post on this same cat wrangler’s pet rescue page about the great care the organization takes in matching foster cats with their perfect humans: “We have lap sitters, leg rubbers, talkers, couch potatoes, sweethearts, former mamas, young’uns, and seniors. We have the curious, the playful, the sleepy, the peaceful, and the feisty. We are great with matching the right cat with the right person.”
So, here’s to Nigel and Laura, who were the perfect match, and who continue on with love.