The Cat
You can surmise from the title that there is a new occupant in our humble abode. Let me establish that I’m not in favor of this permanent visitor. Bloomer is a white Siamese-mix of a cat. This is my wife and my daughter’s idea. Before you accuse me of being an animal hater, let me tell you about our dog.
If you’ve been a subscriber for over 5 years you know about Zoe, our Shi Tzu who I christened “The Dog Who Would Never Die” because she overcame death several times. I never approved of Zoe. But the kids wanted a dog and my wife joined their chorus and their coup to win by majority vote. After a week or so, when the initial cuteness waned, the responsibility of feeding her and bringing her to the vet was thrown to me (as I predicted). What made it even worse was I was the one who was tasked to put him to sleep.
For years they said I shouldn’t feed her human food. But that’s what I fed her because she liked it. She should have died with the diet I gave her but somehow she survived for over 12 years. But one time, Zoe’s fur blocked the passageway of his poop and after crying in pain all evening, the next day I drove her to the Vet for Zoe to be put to sleep. I’m the guy who didn’t want a dog yet I’m the one who had to do the dirty execution alone. Those cowards! On our way, I remember very clearly Zoe sitting at the passenger seat and staring at me with his teary puppy eyes and whimpering in pain. On the radio a song played “Faithful Friend” by Twila Paris — I kid you not! When I listened to the words, I broke down and cried like a baby. How embarrassing. A few minutes later, I remember the conversation with the Vet. I gave the Vet permission to put my “friend” to sleep. I cried again — in front of the Vet!!! The Vet said he was going to try and save Zoe’s life. Well, that’s what they all say. I left with a heavy cloud. I went home and my daughter hated me because I didn’t even give her an opportunity to say goodbye. The cloud expanded into a thunderstorm throughout the now quiet house.
And then, miracle of miracles! 2 days later, the Vet called and said, Zoe was alive! The Vet gave Zoe a special diet that somehow patched the wound and Zoe returned bald but wagging her tail. It was a joyous time.
Zoe has since passed away. The details are too painful and complicated to explain. The sadness hasn’t left me. And so when my wife said she wanted a cat or another dog, I vehemently refused. Heaven and earth may pass away — but my wife always gets her way. Bloomer arrived when I wasn’t home.
It’s been over a week now and I still have refused to look at The Cat straight in the eye. I don’t even know if it’s a he or a she! I really don’t want to get attached but the darn CAT tries to charm me by sitting on my lap or wrapping around my legs. The worst is when she sleeps beside me. I fear this is going to be a losing battle. Like the Borgs … resistance is futile!
I know I will grow attached to that manipulative animal. I know I will outlive The Creature and I will mourn again. Hurt again. I have every right to be mad at my wife and my daughter. But (and this is a big BUT) when I see my wife doting over that THING, when she comes home excited to see the MONSTER —- I realize I need to accept The Cat for my wife’s sake. It’s what husbands do. It’s what I do for the one that I love.
“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in 2 days.”
— Bill Dana
TGIF people!
Romance
Shared by Don of Kelowna. B.C.
Laughing Babies and their Pets
Sent by Naomi of N Hollywood
If you can’t stand cuteness, don’t watch this. Infectious baby laughter and some very intelligent animals.
Heartwarming Magic
Sent by Naomi of N Hollywood
Mixing warmth and magic is pretty unusual. Watch how he astounds and makes people cry.
Teens and a Rotary Phone
Sent by Francesca of CA
Wanna feel really old? Watch these teens having a hard time figuring out how to use a rotary phone.
Don’s Puns
From Don’s collection of puns
Pun 1:
Pun 2:
There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh.
No pun in ten did.
Parting Shot
Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood who shared this photo
Heather
September 22, 2018 at 6:21 am
Oh Raoul, I loved your article about your dog, remember that dog is God spelled backwards.
Heather
Naomi
September 22, 2018 at 6:22 am
My room-mate and I are fostering a cat. My roommate insisted she doesn’t like cats. However, she’s the one picking up the cat and loving on him and he sleeps with her. However, he is a hunter. We have given him 2 breakaway collars with a bell which he has come home without just a day after we put them on him and he is constantly bringing us gifts. Mostly it’s been lizards, but 1 day it was a lizard, a mouse and a bird. The mouse made it through but the lizard was dead and the bird on its last legs. Last night I was home alone and the cat brought me a mouse. You would have laughed to see me try and catch the mouse. I finally caught it and it bit me (didn’t break the skin) but I dropped it. Trying to get it from behind the TV I bumped into a bookcase and a figurine that I bought in Canada fell and broke into a million pieces. I ultimately caught the mouse by the tail and tossed him out and closed the doggie door so the cat couldn’t get out. In the meantime, the den is a mess and the cat spent the next hour smelling to find out where the mouse had gone. Not a fun evening for me. Darn animals
Naomi
Choy
September 22, 2018 at 6:25 am
Hi Raoul
Thanks for the latest edition of TGIF. Your experience on having pets is also a subject that comes up regularly in our household. My wife and daughter go gaga over dogs. My wife on cats too. My wife’s sisters and parents have golden retrievers and these pets are showered with a lot of attention and love. Time and again my daughter especially has asked if she could get a dog. I always tell her she can but she has to take care of it herself such as bathe, groom, train it not to dig up the garden and bring it to the vet when he’s sick. I told her i will not lift a finger to do it and if she fails I’ll give it away. I am not an animal hater but i have a practical attitude toward dogs. I have always considered them more as guard dogs to be kept outside the house rather than pets to play with. And i hate their smell if they are not bathed regularly. Anyway, the idea of so much responsibility always stops my daughter dead on her track. My wife’s attitude is also practical. She feels her desire must be matched with responsibility.
So right now both of them are confined to doting on dogs only when they are in my in-laws.’ My wife, whenever she sees a stray cat, never fails to approach and caress it. And one of the things that she amuses herself with is looking at cute cat and dog videos from the internet. I always know when she squeals and laughs whenever she’s in front of her laptop. It’s either a dog or a cat show. She beams and shares these with me as if she’s watching a cute baby. “Oh look at this…oh how cuuute!” I can see the longing but she never makes the plunge…well, so far.
Choy
Rick
September 24, 2018 at 3:16 am
Oh, for the love of our animals. I enjoyed your story of Zoe and The Cat. Best of luck with the newest family member. Here is our newest member of our family. Abby has been with us for almost 15 months and she has changed our lives. I believe for the better.
Thanks for the TGIF and have a good week.
Rick