venusinpisces
29-09-2009, 05:15 AM
So I had this interesting experience with a stray cat today. This particular cat is one that has been bouncing around my neighborhood for awhile, but I haven't been able to adopt him because my dog tries to eat the felines, unfortunately. She had tried to lunge at kitty last fall (unsuccesfully, I might add, since I know about her problems and kept her on a leash while he was around) but since then he had disappeared. Well, earlier this week I finally see him, and at first I am not sure if it's even the same cat. Last winter he was sprightly amd cheerful, with a glossy coat and some muscle, always wanting to be petted to the point where it was a little annoying. This new cat was mangy, scrawny, coughing and not wanting to be touched. But I knew it was him because the paw markings were all the same. So that was a few days ago and I wasn't able to get too close, although I did leave water out.
Today I was on the bus when a homeless woman gets on with a bunch of babies and so many bags she was taking up four seats. She was really miserable looking and i was just thinking about being her, en route to some horrible social service office, or something like that. I was kind of feeling useless, wishing there was more I could do to be helpful. Have you ever had a thought that was so distinct that it seemed to have a higher volume than the rest of your thoughts? Well, that's what this was and I just kept thinking about being helpful as I pulled the chord to my stop. My house is a block and a half away, and as I walk thorugh my gate the first thing I see is kitty, curled up looking dehydrated in the bushes. I live in a part of California where the temperatures regularly rise to 110, so it is probably pretty uncomfortable for animals who are outside all day. When I reach down to touch him, this time he just lays there.
So I go inside to get more water and I can see him walking to the same spot where I offered it before. This time I bring out some fancy grain free dog food that I got for a trip this summer. Not interested. Only sniffs at the water. I break open an egg and he doesnt want that either. Eventually it ocurs to me to mix the dog food and water to try to make it more palatable. Kitty immediately begins eating as if he hasnt had a meal in months. He goes through about three small bowls within a half an hour and I notice that he is not using his teeth. So that's why he is so skinny! It's a dental infection that's preventing him from eating! :( By the time the cat is done eating he is in fine spirits and nuzzling me like his old self.:D
I just think this is so amazing because here I had been, palpably wanting to be helpful towards someone, and then here he comes as if by delivery service. Now I want to keep him!
Today I was on the bus when a homeless woman gets on with a bunch of babies and so many bags she was taking up four seats. She was really miserable looking and i was just thinking about being her, en route to some horrible social service office, or something like that. I was kind of feeling useless, wishing there was more I could do to be helpful. Have you ever had a thought that was so distinct that it seemed to have a higher volume than the rest of your thoughts? Well, that's what this was and I just kept thinking about being helpful as I pulled the chord to my stop. My house is a block and a half away, and as I walk thorugh my gate the first thing I see is kitty, curled up looking dehydrated in the bushes. I live in a part of California where the temperatures regularly rise to 110, so it is probably pretty uncomfortable for animals who are outside all day. When I reach down to touch him, this time he just lays there.
So I go inside to get more water and I can see him walking to the same spot where I offered it before. This time I bring out some fancy grain free dog food that I got for a trip this summer. Not interested. Only sniffs at the water. I break open an egg and he doesnt want that either. Eventually it ocurs to me to mix the dog food and water to try to make it more palatable. Kitty immediately begins eating as if he hasnt had a meal in months. He goes through about three small bowls within a half an hour and I notice that he is not using his teeth. So that's why he is so skinny! It's a dental infection that's preventing him from eating! :( By the time the cat is done eating he is in fine spirits and nuzzling me like his old self.:D
I just think this is so amazing because here I had been, palpably wanting to be helpful towards someone, and then here he comes as if by delivery service. Now I want to keep him!