Jun 06 2009
Whaa Whaa ~ Cat in Heat
Sitting here at my computer, I hear the distant sound of three of my kids and a friend in the other room giggling while they are watching TV. I hear my youngest son sitting on the couch reading. I know you are wondering how I hear that since he is reading to himself. I am asking myself the same question. The answer is simple. He thinks I need to know each and every detail he is reading about in his “Game Informer” magazine, something I really don’t want to hear about; however, hearing his little sweet voice and his interest is something I want to hear. It is a great night here at my house except for the constant Whaa Whaa Whaa of our cat, Birdee, who happens to be in heat.
On one hand, I feel sorry for her. She just wants some “loving” and it’s as much her nature as breathing is. I wonder if she is hurting or just plain irritable. But on the other hand…
I am extremely annoyed. She won’t shut up, even for a second. Ok, I get it. She wants to get outside, she wants a man. I understand that. But come on, stop your whining and just accept you aren’t going outside. Sit by the window, stare longingly and watch for your fantasy lover to cross the yard, as I used to do when I was a teen watching my neighbor. Yep, it’s not fun and you would rather be outside, but just deal with it.
On top of that, we have a beautiful black and white long haired cat we have named “Jefferey” hanging out on our back deck. Normally I would welcome an “extra” cat hanging around and even offer him food. But I know what he wants and it isn’t an extra serving of “Cat Chow”. He wants my baby! So instead of stepping outside to make friends, I am spraying him with my water hose. I keep threatening to shoot him in the butt with a BB gun, but even I am not that cruel, but it is a fantasy I think of when going to sleep…and for a few short moments, it makes me feel better. If you have seen “Failure to Launch” you will remember a scene where Kit shoots a mockingbird with the BB gun, but pumped it too hard, then felt bad. Should I get up the courage and completely loose my sensitivity and caring, I would be like Kit. In my irritation, I would pump two or three more times than necessary, hurt the cat, then cry my eyes out. So I just leave him alone except for a few blasts of water when I’ve had enough.
I have threatened to do the same to my daughter’s “ex “he’s not my boyfriend”. He treated her great, talked to her all the time, took her to the movies, etc. He was “perfect”, just like Jeffrey. But suddenly, with no explanation and not another word, he just stopped calling and coming over. So yeah, I would like to shoot a BB in his butt too!
Many of you animal lovers and enthusiasts are wondering why I just didn’t have the cat spayed. I know what you are thinking, “Wow, she is so irresponsible” or “why have a cat if you aren’t going to spay her” or worse. I agree with you whole heartedly. However, things in life aren’t always black and white. Just as Jeffrey is black and white, there are hidden under his chin, a few brown spots. I just have to look closely to see them.
I didn’t want or need another cat when we got Birdee, but my daughter’s charm won me over and in an irrational, unthinking moment, I complied with her wish. Birdee was only five weeks old, really not ready to be taken from her mother and truthfully, not the prettiest of kittens. Her “parent’s” did not want the kittens and instead of planning on taking them to the pound, their idea was to “dispose” of the kittens that didn’t find homes. I could not let that happen, so I figured I would keep her until I could find her another home. Once she was here, she became a part of my family and I couldn’t get rid of her.
I still can’t afford to have her spayed, but hope to catch one of the free days they offer in our county. As soon as I do, or I sell a magazine article or book, I will have her at the vet’s the next day. I so look forward to no more pining over her Jeffrey!
