Life's Little Inspirations

Photo courtesy of Neil Gaiman

Talk about going off on a tangent. This morning I started out organizing our various projects for the week, which then led to thinking about what I was going to write this week, which in turn took a deserted side road into our recent novel project and then veered off into some odd path on thoughts about collaborative novels. From there a small sign made me think of one of my most favorite collaborations by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman called Good Omens.

In a burst of sudden Museness (or temporary insanity) I started searching for contact information. How cool would it be to get an interview about collaboration from one of these authors?

Well, after an hour or so of searching Sir Pratchett’s site (yes, he was recently given the honor of Knighthood! Congrats!) I toddled on over to Neil Gaiman’s site. Hadn’t been there in a while and forgotten how enjoyable his blog was.

Once I got there and started reading the most recent entries I was very nearly a puddle of mush on the keyboard.

Kids and Pets

In some circles, talking about your pets is like talking too much about your kids. Not everyone is interested and not everyone feels the same way about those small souls in your life. Unless you’re a parent, to either the two legged or four legged variety of children, there’s often a connection others don’t understand.

Davidson

With the two-legged kids, the attachment is understandable. They are humans, after all. But when it comes to pets, if you treat them too much like human kids your friends and neighbors might look at you slightly askew.

It’s no secret that I have cats. Two of them. Never thought I would, considering I grew up terribly allergic to the critters. That all changed the moment I moved in with Pete. He was a first time cat owner then, a half Siamese by the name of Davidson.

Davidson was a great cat. Fearless as all get out. I never witnessed it for myself, but Pete actually managed to teach Davidson how to sit on his shoulder while he took the Harley out for a spin around the block.

Kota & Cougar

Davidson met an untimely end, unfortunately. And that’s when Cougar came into our lives. Seven years later, Lakota, my Pixiebob, came along.

The rest is history.

Now I’m a full-fledged, card carrying cat person. It’s a beautiful thing.

Change of Heart

There used to be a time when I could watch an ASPCA commercial and not start bawling like a baby. After having lived with Cougar and Lakota for the past 9 years it’s really hard not to look at those sad eyes on TV and not feel any compassion for them. I guess that’s how it is for people with kids when they see other children suffering.

You’re kidding. Right?

Now, I know my cats aren’t human. I don’t dress them up or give them birthday parties. Whether I spoil them or not is debatable.  Pete says I do, and my argument is I just want them to have a happy life. What’s wrong with a cat water fountain anyway?

I think my view and relationship with the felines in my life is all based around the way I was raised. Animals are animals, yes, but they’re also living creatures that need love and affection, respect and care as much as we do. That’s not to say I won’t stop eating steak any time soon. There’s a food chain for a reason.

When I saw Neil’s posts about his cat Zoe that got me thinking how much our pets contribute to our lives and families in the most subtle ways. Pets make us laugh, they offer unconditional companionship, and all too often we don’t realize how much they touch our hearts until it’s too late.

Unorthodox Inspired Gratitude

There’s no lesson here. If you figure out what it is, let me know. It’s just one of those introspective moments I find myself in from time to time.

I see how Neil is bringing Zoe home to die in the comfort of her own space and I think back to when my first real pet, Muffy (named “Ear Muffs” by Dad who said she looked like she was wearing a pair of earmuffs) was sent to the vet with an irreversible and fast acting blood disease.

I never got the chance to say good-bye to her. Mom and Dad thought it best “not to see her that way” and to “remember her as she was”. It’s still something that troubles me to this day.

I guess if there was a message to all this, it would be let those you love know it. Most of all, show it to those small souls who depend on you and ask absolutely nothing in return.

Sadly, Zoe didn’t make it. But at least the family had a chance to make her last few hours on this earth as comfortable as possible.

And Neil? Like I said on Twitter, it’s not weird to feel this way. You have a heart, your whole family does, and it shows.