Dogma or Catma
I look over at my cat and wonder if I'd trade lives with her.
She wakes from her nap long enough to yawn and stretch her legs before settling back down to sleep. She's content right now so I don't exist. She'll call if she needs me. When she's hungry, I feed her. When she's cold, I cuddle her. When she's bored, I amuse her. When she pukes, I clean it up.
Her end of the bargain is to pee in the litter box.
No, she's not shavishly affectionate like a dog. But I also don't have to take her for a walk in a rainstorm. Heck, in most places now, when you take the dog out to do his business you have to take his business back in with you. None for me, thanks.
It's a fair trade. I like to watch her, whether she's rolling around on a spot where the sun has found the floor, darting her eyes to follow a bird she has spotted outside the window or simply walking around the house "on patrol." She is a beautiful creature. And I might never feel more comfortable than when she crawls under the covers on a chilly night, curls up next to me and starts purring.
Does the cat think she is getting a good deal? She has a relaxed life, if not a luxurious one. She's never had a job. Never had to survive office politics. Never been fired. Never had to worry about health insurance or rent payments or food bills. Never gotten a speeding ticket.
Does she know she has no worries as long as she stays off the living room couch?
Does she know what she's missing? She's never kissed. Never had sex. Never talked on the phone. Never eaten pizza. Never swam in the Gulf of Mexico. Never won a race. Never read a book. Never played guitar.
Would I trade places with her? It depends on the day. Ask me again tomorrow.
She wakes from her nap long enough to yawn and stretch her legs before settling back down to sleep. She's content right now so I don't exist. She'll call if she needs me. When she's hungry, I feed her. When she's cold, I cuddle her. When she's bored, I amuse her. When she pukes, I clean it up.
Her end of the bargain is to pee in the litter box.
No, she's not shavishly affectionate like a dog. But I also don't have to take her for a walk in a rainstorm. Heck, in most places now, when you take the dog out to do his business you have to take his business back in with you. None for me, thanks.
It's a fair trade. I like to watch her, whether she's rolling around on a spot where the sun has found the floor, darting her eyes to follow a bird she has spotted outside the window or simply walking around the house "on patrol." She is a beautiful creature. And I might never feel more comfortable than when she crawls under the covers on a chilly night, curls up next to me and starts purring.
Does the cat think she is getting a good deal? She has a relaxed life, if not a luxurious one. She's never had a job. Never had to survive office politics. Never been fired. Never had to worry about health insurance or rent payments or food bills. Never gotten a speeding ticket.
Does she know she has no worries as long as she stays off the living room couch?
Does she know what she's missing? She's never kissed. Never had sex. Never talked on the phone. Never eaten pizza. Never swam in the Gulf of Mexico. Never won a race. Never read a book. Never played guitar.
Would I trade places with her? It depends on the day. Ask me again tomorrow.
posted by jack at 9:59 PM
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