Kitty Stories to Lighten the Mood

Happier Mood Swings

Things have been getting pretty deep in here lately, so I thought it was time to mix things up and lighten the mood with stories, not only of my own clowder of kitties, but the rescues I’ve been helping socialize at Eastwood Ranch Foundation; a new rescue in Agoura.

When the world in general, as well as closer to home gets too heavy for my heart, I retreat to a world where I focus on, and communicate with cats, be they my own, or those awaiting adoption. Looking at the world through their eyes, sharing cuddles, or trying to understand what they want or need tends to bring me more satisfaction than trying to navigate humans.

Lately, my own cats seem to sense the heaviness of my heart. I’m never without at least a couple close at hand, with the rest hovering nearby in case a sudden desperate need for comforting arises. Even when I’m working at the rescue, a couple of staff members have commented on how all of the cats and kittens seem to love me. My heart is warmed, both by the way the cats respond to my attention, and how the resident humans are aware of it.

Body Autonomy: Not Only for Humans

In part, I think it comes down to respecting each feline’s wants and needs. It may sound weird, but I believe in body autonomy, not only for humans, but for animals. It seems to work well with cats, as they want to be the ones who determine whether or not they can be touched or picked up, and by whom. Seems fair to me! Let’s not leave dogs out of this conversation as they, too like to pick and choose to some degree.

There’s a dog on my walking route named Zoey. She’s cute poodle mix who prefers men to women. When she happens to be outside when we go by, I stand back and let her get cuddles from my walking buddy, who she clearly adores. Every so often, she’ll come over and let me get a skritch or two in, but more often, she’s happy with her man cuddles. Her owner is always apologetic, but it doesn’t bother me at all. She knows what she wants, and it’s not like she rejects me, or ignores me. Sometimes, she’ll gaze at me with her ice blue eyes while Jesse is scratching her back. Clearly, we have an understanding.

It’s so simple for animals. Either they like you or they don’t; want you to give them attention, or prefer to watch you, sometimes warily, from a safe distance. By recognizing and accepting that, we contribute positively to the dynamic, and many times, earn the trust of the shyer ones in time.

Taming the Miscommunication Demon

One of the things that complicates the issue between humans is communication, both verbal and non-verbal. Our personal experiences determine how we read things like body language, word choice, and tone of voice…often incorrectly. Maybe we take offense at something the speaker didn’t mean to be offensive, or we offend when that wasn’t our intention. One of the most difficult things to do is choose not to be offended and instead, say something like: “what you said/how you said that offended me because…” Assuming the other person is receptive, it can begin a dialogue in which both parties get to know the other a little better.

Of course, that means you have to respond rather than react, and there are few amongst us who don’t need to work on that one! Meanwhile, if you offend a cat or dog, they WILL let you know about it! Either they’ll smack, bite, or scratch, or give you the cold shoulder. Either way, you know exactly where you stand. Now, I don’t recommend, as humans, we let people know we’re bothered by something in that fashion, improved communication can minimize those moments when we’d like to bite, scratch, or, as I say when my cats show me their hind quarters, give someone the butt.

Trust me when I say I’m as guilty, if not guiltier than the next guy of failing to communicate. My go-to when I’m unhappy with someone, or with what they said or did is to isolate for awhile which can actually make things worse, since I tend to stew while I’m in my hermit hut, turning the teeniest little molehill into Mount Everest. Add in the depression I often work myself into, and it’s not a very tasty stew at all!

ADD Brain Run Amok…Again

This post didn’t go the way I expected it to at all. My original thought was to share some of the antics of my furry family, and that didn’t really happen. But as my ADD brain is the one writing the posts, and not my conscious, somewhat controllable mind, I’m not entirely surprised. I think it wanted me to reach the conclusion I need to treat people more like I treat animals; approaching slowly, and learning how to communicate with them in the language they understand; allowing them to get to know me and my nuances, as I get to know them and theirs.

In a lot of ways, humans are like skittish cats, but with walls and masks to protect their sensitive psyches.  It’s the psyches we all need to learn to approach with caution, and to treat gently and respectfully as most have been traumatized at some point in their existence.

Always Something to be Grateful For

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for all the time I get to spend with cats. It heals my soul, and my own, damaged psyche.
2. I’m grateful for friendships which span decades, and have lost the need to step lightly over sensitive topics because they understand and relate to past traumas.
3. I’m grateful for blog posts which almost seem to be writing themselves lately.
4. I’m grateful for more time to write as I slowly disappear from social media. I see now, it was a stopping point, but never meant to be a permanent residence.
5. I’m grateful for a schedule that’s filling up, despite letting a few things fall by the wayside, having outlived their usefulness.

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.