The Incredible Lightness of Cats

So if dogs keep me grounded, what do cats bring to my world?

They keep me feeling light…very light.

In the first printing of my book For Every Cat An Angel I included these words:

If it weren’t for gravity cats would simply float away.

I don’t know why I perceive kitties this way. Perhaps some of it comes from the way cats are so often up off the ground. I’ll open the linen closet to put away the clean towels and there’s my kitty, Star, asleep in the sheets on the top shelf. Or in the middle of eating dinner the pantry door will open and out will come one of the cats who was napping with the canned soup.

Viewing kitties this way helps me understand my deep connection with them, for I often feel the same way myself. If it weren’t for gravity I would simply…OK, so I wouldn’t actually FLOAT AWAY, but I would definitely go on a lot more day trips through the universe.

So here’s to cats..and dogs…who come together in perfect harmony and keep me in balance.

Chris

The Grounding Nature of Dogs

I was sitting in a restaurant last night, chatting with several animal lovers about the joy of sharing our lives with cats. I lost my dog, Jake, almost two years ago, and still have not been able to bring a new pup into my life. There are several excellent reasons for this, but perhaps the most important one is that I can now give my four 10-year old kitties all the attention they deserve. Trust me – they are LOVING this!

The feline lovers at the table spoke of the joy cats bring, how affectionate they are, and how few demands they make on their people. I talked about how magical cats are. They live in many dimensions, keep me on my toes, and are constantly surprising me.

“But,” I said, “dogs keep me grounded. They provide a stability to my life that I don’t seem to experience with my cats.”

And there it was – the piece I had been missing that explained the feeling of “floating” I had been living with since Jake left me. It’s not that Jake wasn’t magical – he was. He was also the rock I leaned on, something steady I could hold onto when the waters got rough. On those days when everything seemed awfully topsy- turvy, Jake would patiently stand there and just look at me. I could feel the joy that radiated from this wondrous creature - his pure pleasure at being alive. The love he felt for me flowed out of his heart and into mine…and I would feel safe, still and at peace.

I am wondering if this sense of feeling untethered will soften with time. It’s not that I mind being a balloon, but sometimes you need to tie up at a safe harbor and let your feet sink into the ground. I mean really feel your roots shooting out of the bottom of your feet and going deep into the earth.

I decided to ask my cats for their thoughts on this subject, but they were all asleep in their various resting spots, invisible “Do Not Disturb” signs posted nearby.

Perhaps we can have that talk another day.

Chris

Squirrel Proof - I Think Not!

I don’t mind feeding the squirrels. In fact, I LIKE to feed them! But they just don’t seem to understand that some of the bird seed I put in the feeders is actually intended for the birds!

As you can see in these pictures, many of the “squirrel-proof” feeders I’ve bought over the years have fallen short of their claims. This little guy just hangs upside down and feasts to his heart’s content, reaching over whenever he needs more seeds. Now THAT’S impressive.

It’s taken some time, but I think we’ve finally come to a peaceful arrangement where all the creatures who visit the yard get some food and water. A few of the feeders are “birds-only,” but several are equal opportunity stations. All are welcome. I like that.

Chris

Cat Birthdays and Toilet Paper

So there I was at my computer, blissfully writing this heartfelt blog about my kitties. Dickens and his three sisters – Molly, Pippen & Star - turn 10 years old today. My dog, Jake, found them in the last week of May, and the vet thought they were about 3 -4 weeks old, so May 1st became their official birthday.

As my fingers flew over the keyboard, my mind replayed all the adventures the cats and I have shared over the last 10 years. They are dearer to me than I can put into words. It is impossible to have a bad day in the presence of these furballs. Each has their own magical way of touching my heart. They have unique purrs, different ideas of “fun,” and their own proven method of telling me the food bowl is empty and needs immediate attention.

A few of the kitties are a bit on the chunky side, so I’ve been cutting back on their food…ever so slightly. No more refilling…and refilling…of the bowls. I’ve tried to explain about the Zen of an empty food bowl. The empty food bowl is full of possibility. The girls are pretty philosophical about this forced food reduction, but Dickens is not happy. As a kitten, Dickens attacked his bottle with gusto...and that enthusiasm for food has never diminished.

Which brings me back to my first sentence. As I was writing this blog, I heard a strange sound coming from the bathroom where the empty food bowl was sitting. I peeked around the corner and there was Dickens, shredding the roll of toilet paper with a level of dedication and commitment I had to admire. Then he ate the toilet paper. He was ticked off, and somehow he was going to let me know it.

I admire clear communication skills. I have a hard time letting someone know when I’m upset about something. Dickens has become my teacher. The next time I feel hurt or angry, I’m heading straight for the toilet paper.

In the front of my book, For Every Cat An Angel, I have written some notes to my readers which include these words:

“I am in awe of these cat creatures. They have cast a spell over me that I don’t expect will ever be broken.”

How true.

Happy birthday, furballs!

Chris

But Where Will the Dog Sit?

When the dog is this tall, the answer is – anywhere he wants to!

Check out Maxie sitting on the lap of my dear friend, Ruth Phillips, who lives in Marietta, GA. That’s Lisa, Maxie’s Mom, watching from the side.

Based on the pictures I received, it looks like any sturdy lap - or piece of furniture -will do as far is Maxie is concerned.

I've never shared my life with a dog of this size - is this common?

Chris

Best Friends Animal Society

OK – so I’m not a great traveler. For me, getting on a plane is like jumping off a cliff into a rattlesnake pit. Plus, I adore my comfy bed, my lovely home in the woods, and most of all…my critters.

BUT…if I were to pack a suitcase and head out of town I would very likely point myself toward Kanab, Utah, and the home of the nation’s largest animal sanctuary, operated by the Best Friends Animal Society. Over the years many people have told me about the special wonder of this peaceful place, but no one has sung its praises more than Fran Baumgartner.

Fran and I have never actually met (that would require traveling) but we have shared many an email about animals, books and her passion for hitting the open road on a motorcycle…with her husband…and her dog. I’m not sure how that works but Fran promises to explain that to me.

The sanctuary offers monthly blessings for the animals, an event that Fran (who lives in Arizona) attends when she can. She took many pictures during her recent visit to the sanctuary, and then graciously emailed them to me.

What a treat! It was almost like being there. The sanctuary is nestled in the red rock landscape of Angel Canyon. There are simply no words for the natural beauty of this magnificent place – it is breathtaking. The views from the cottages are very inspiring, and the curved gate to Angels Rest is exquisite. It truly lives up to everything I have heard about it.

One day I hope to visit Best Friends. Until then, I feel I am already there…in spirit...thanks to Fran.

Chris

Thank you, Oprah!

As many of you know, Oprah’s April 4th show exposed the hidden – and horrific world – of puppy mills. Many of the dogs who begin their lives in these factories wind up in pet stores or for sale online. It is impossible for any compassionate human being to process what goes on in these places. Like so many of the animal lovers who watched Oprah’s show, I sat there with tears flowing down my cheeks.

I find myself overwhelmed when I come face to face with behavior that causes unspeakable pain for any living creature. Whether it’s puppy mills, or the sickening world of dog-fighting, or the pup down the street who lives its life on the end of a chain, I simply can’t understand how people can deliberately torture other living beings. How do you come home in the evening to a partner or child, after you've spent the day consciously destroying the body, or spirit, of another living creature? How do you sleep at night?

According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 4 million shelter dogs and cats are euthanized each year. That’s 4 million innocent, loving critters who are just waiting to come home and be part of someone’s family. Dogs like Jake…my dear Jake…who I found in 1995 at the local shelter. I have written endlessly about my beloved Jake, who I lost in 2006. No one could ever "manufacture" a more magnificent, magical, joyous or loving dog than Jake. And he was just sitting there in the shelter…waiting for me.

Shelters are overflowing with creatures who are waiting for you to find them. If you are looking for a furry friend, I urge you to visit your local shelter. You just might help put a puppy mill out of business.

Chris