Our Cat was a noble beast, head held high and proud as he walked resolutely around the house, surveying his people, and making sure the dog was exactly where she should be. On the couch, not the floor. I always thought it gave him pleasure to see dog run for her safe zone on the couch whenever he walked into the room; but in hindsight, maybe he was actually elevating her status...this will remain a quandary to me.

We made every attempt, to satisfy Cat’s every desire, we had no choice. If we didn’t he would wander about the house meowing a twisted “Helro” as if to say, “Hello, anyone home? I have needs to be met. Look at me!” He only got louder the longer you took to acknowledge him.

We tried to understand his requests, but more often than not we translated incorrectly.

“Water? - You want water?” No response.

“You want water in your fountain?” (Yes, he had his own personal fountain) He tilts his head, but still no response.

“You want tub water!” I feel relieved, got in three. And so with the adroitness of someone accustomed to Sir’s preferences, I would adjust the small stool to its position beside the tub, thereby allowing his Excellency to enter and exit the said tub with dignity intact.

His partiality for very specific litter was a well known phenomena in our home too. Like the “Princess and the Pea” fable, his senses were very refined regarding a delicate balance of texture and scent. You knew there would be trouble if he was not pleased with your purchase. Much like toilet paper, I never quite knew what quality he was searching for. Was it softness on the paws? Was it absorption? (I, for one, appreciated this characteristic).

And for sure, without a doubt, absolutely no perfumes...unless he accidentally liked it...then we could all breathe a collective sigh of relief.

For years I wondered if he could actually read, as he had a deep and abiding appreciation for a particular product called, “Special Kitty”. I thought it fed his ego. But don’t be mistaken, there was only one kind he liked in the countless and varied varieties of Special Kitty; I hated it when they changed the picture on the box. What was the reason behind doing that? Not for Cat, he didn’t read the box, he had one reason for that product, and one reason only, and reading had nothing to do with it. Now, in fairness, I never watched him use the product. Maybe he sat in his little throne with reading glasses on, reading the contents, like I used to read cereal boxes at breakfast when I was a kid. Maybe he liked the hot cat on the cover? Nevertheless, if I made the error of picking up the wrong box, I would be back on the road to correct my mistake within days.

My husband would just roll his eyes, “He’s just a cat” he‘d say. “Just a cat!” I would reply with horror, giving him that stare which most wives perfect shortly after the honeymoon phase has ended; “Tell Cat that - I dare you!” Hubby would look between Me and Cat, shrug his shoulders and walk away; he knew a battle he couldn’t win. So off I’d go, back to the store because ultimately Cat’s ability to use his box was greatly diminished by our poor choice.

He was equally cantankerous, and bad-tempered, regarding the dishes we offered. Once I mentioned the word “salmon” when referring to a treat. His ears perked up in apparent anticipation, and then, belatedly, I realized we only had tuna. Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t just any tuna, it was albacore. I thought for sure I could win him over with albacore’s firm texture and mild flavour, but no. On setting the “treat” in front of our food critic, he sniffed tentatively, turned his head to look at me with disdain, and then walked away as if I had just insulted him. Cat did not suffer fools.

And then, quite unexpectedly, after nineteen years of servitude, we lost our haughty, demanding, imperious, little guest. And I found myself at a loss, much like a butler who has no one to butle, for while Cat was of small stature, the void he has left behind is daunting.

But if I try hard enough, I can imagine Cat in his new surroundings. He’s wandering sedately around his new kingdom, pausing to nod, or stare, as required, slowly making his way to his golden loo, or his table of fine china, his crown, ever so slightly tilted on his small head. And all is well.

#cat #companion #death #royalty #loss #grieving #pet

Fear has never been so tangible,

In the land known for welcome kindness.

It reeks from the eyes of every stranger,

As we leap and dance to each avoid the other.

Wringing our hands with soap and water,

And wearing masks that everyone can see.

Desperate to escape the dreaded virus,

From which there seems no reprieve.

Everyone seems guilty now,

There is no innocence found.

Suspicion is in our very breath,

We wear it like a crown.

We are aching to once again be normal,

But fear creeps in again.

Normal will be a new surreal,

The robber reigns supreme.

#covid19 #fear #newnormal #poetry #washyourhands