In the company of cats
By Natalie Hardy

Books abound recording the rapport between individuals, especially artists and writers, and their cats. Most notable is T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. It engendered the Broadway production of Cats, which ringed the world before it was done.

This slender volume is a compendium of feline characteristics which captures the mystery, elusiveness, playfulness, contradictory nature and sheer hilarity of our feline friends.

I notice my own cat, Skibenga, has come to the foot of the bed where I am writing this. She eyes me for a while, decides I am too engrossed to object and leaps up onto my chest, onto my notebook, scuttling the pen in my hand. She looks me straight in the eye, settles onto my chest, pushes her head up under my chin, reaches one front paw right up onto my cheek and starts purring loudly. Lord, tell me what am I to do!

I am writing morning pages and am grumping to my journal about not having enough unadulterated fun in my life. Where is the wit, the spit, the poke of a stick in my ribs, to unleash those endorphins inside my physiology so I can feel the high of laughter? 

About that moment, WileyC, my other cat, stretches, pulls himself upright in the top of the cat tree, starts a head first vertical descent to the next level, finds it too awkward for his long lanky body to negotiate the short space straight down, pulls back up to the top, tail end first, a little like moon walking backwards, leaps straight off the high tier and lands on the floor, then up to the bed and deliberately toward me. Skibenga does not like competition and splits.

Wiley sees imaginary movement under the cover and pounces! He rotates his head like a periscope, drops on his side, continues head rotation in a now precarious angle, and boom! down on the covers again to catch the phantom creature underneath. Was he showing me how easy it is to have fun? I think yes.

Our companion animals amuse, teach, love, entice, aggravate, cause consternation and heart palpitation.

They are the levelers, the loyal, sometimes the loves of our lives. Have you deprived yourselves long enough of the joy they bring? Do come and visit the Sociedad Protectora de Animales, and spend time with these wonderful creatures.They are looking for a home. If that is impossible in your circumstance, enjoy them on the premises of our Shelter. Foster programs provide short term companionship for those on limited time visits to San Miguel. Our website: www.spasanmiguel.org  provides information on our various projects. Visit or call us Monday–Friday, 11am–2pm, 152-6124.