Living Blankets

Cats are less like playthings and more like living blankets. Blankets that shed. And occasionally get grumpy and nip at you.

We got our cat a year and a half ago – someone had dumped her out in the country – at least that’s what we guessed, as she had a collar but was thin, skittish, and hungry beyond belief. Several months later she gave birth to three adorable kittens, and, of the three, we kept one. So now we’re a two-cat family. Copernicus, the calico mama, and Zephyr, her orange son.

It’s funny how quickly these two cats have become part of our family – and when I say “family” I mean that they are part of our collective consciousness, not that we have family photos taken with them – but, it can’t be denied, our lives have changed because of them.

For one thing, the kids are learning responsibility as they care for them. And yes, sometimes that means calling a sibling on an empty cat dish when it is not that particular child’s week to do cat chores. Why is it that brothers and sisters naturally seem to want to get their siblings in trouble? In addition, our checkbook is proving to us that we can only afford the two cats – no more, thanks! We are also in the process of learning that cat food left out on the deck = an open invitation to raccoons. Grrrrrr. Oh, and we’ve learned – the hard way – not to set a plate full of food (or a glass full of milk) out on the deck while running inside to, say, answer the phone – because if you do, the cats will claim it as their own. We have also learned that flowerboxes left unattended turn into litter boxes. Bother.

But, all in all, we have learned that having a living blanket is a nice thing on a cool summer evening, while enjoying the mosquito-free deck with a good book and a cup of tea. We have learned that a little cat hair is worth putting up with in exchange for this living-blanket benefit. And we have learned that boy cats are friendlier than girl cats. Translation: if you come to our house, never assume that Copernicus will want to be cuddled…but if she does deign to allow you to hold her, know that you are one of the chosen few and, for a few minutes at least, you will be blessed.

Advertisement