Let’s just say it: cats really do live forever. Case in point – our beloved one-eyed cat, Patch, who has been with us since kittenhood. He is now 15 years old, and shows no sign of slowing down. Not that we would want him to. I write about Patch today because, after a year of absence, he is back in our house.
Last year, our son took Patch into his house for a month while we were out of town. Afterwards, he asked if he could keep him. In fact, he sort of insisted on keeping him. Which we were OK with, knowing Patch would be well-loved. But recently, our son moved to a place where cats are not allowed, so, just as suddenly as he was gone, just as suddenly he is back on our doorstep.
We love our Patch, but after a few months without him, my husband, John, and I had been reflecting on how it was kind of all right to not have him in our house anymore. It was nice not changing kitty litter. Not having the vet bills. Not having to buy cat food. But, more than anything, it was nice not having cat hair.
My husband does the vacuum cleaning in our house. Without a cat, he was thrilled to empty the canister only once. It was filled with dust and crumbs and other stuff, but not cat hair.
I myself was thrilled to not be wearing cat hair wherever I went. I got so tired of using a lint roller, I just gave up. If people snickered behind my back, calling me “that crazy cat lady”, because of the fur I wore on my backside, so be it.
Now we have our Patch back, along with everything that comes with him: the kitty litter, the vet, the food, the hair.
But now I remember why we loved having him around. He is really very lovable. No one, no animal, no person, knows how to cuddle like our Patch. He is what my husband calls, a “breathing blanket”. He is warm, cuddly, and a great comforter in times of stress.
So, this is one of many reasons why we have a cat, why we love our cat. Those of you with furry animals at home know just what I am talking about – we love our animals and the joy they bring us. Even with all the hassles and the bills and the hair we have to carry around.
This week’s JOY: our cat. He has been with us for 15 years, and it looks like he’s here to stay for at least a few more. And it’s just how things should be.