Crazy Cat Lady

When I was young, my dream was to live in a motorhome with my 20 cats and travel around the country writing novels. Kind of a strange fantasy for an extroverted person, but it sounded like perfection to me. Today, my reality is residing in a non-wheeled house, owning 2 cats (okay, 2 ½, but more on that later) and having written one book ready for publication and another one that has not yet found its way to paper. But this blog’s focus is on the feline portion of my dream vs. the life/pet ownership habits I have chosen in order to avoid a dreaded title...

We always had cats when I was growing up. There were several I don’t remember because I was either too young or they weren’t around long enough, but there were two cats that were steadfast comrades during my childhood. Liza (named after Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady) was our long-haired calico. She shed like crazy and had chronic, gnarled-up hair clumps. I think she lived to be like 20 years old or something, but maybe it just seemed that way...Claire (not sure how she was named, but she was often referred to as ‘Claire the pear with too much hair,’ which was totally inaccurate because she was short haired and barely shed) was MY cat. I adored her. And by that I mean I tormented her by forcing her into what I considered fun: riding in a baby stroller, wearing bandanas and other things I thought were adorable, and basically toting her everywhere I went (my daughter has inherited this aggressive love for our cats as well). I’m pretty sure Claire rebelled by chewing up papers and peeing on things. Our carpets perpetually smelled of cat pee. Which would make you think I would have an aversion to owning cats, but no. The truth is, I would have a herd of cats if….well, why don’t I? (As an aside, I just googled what a group of cats is called, and apparently the term is “clowder.” So we both learned a new word today. You’re welcome.)

Honestly, I think I have stifled my desire to adopt every cat in the tri-state area because I’m afraid of being slapped with the label used (hastily, in my opinion) by so many: Crazy Cat Lady. In my adult life, I have owned five cats over time. Gus and Max were my feline children before the human ones came along. I adored them for many years and it was so emotional when they died within a year of each other. Pets leave a void when they are gone, just as any loved one does. If you are an animal lover, you understand. Ted began our stream of black cats and lays at my feet as I write these words. Benji, his nearly identical twin, joined us about a year later after we adopted a neighbor’s cat (named Shadow because...you guessed it...he was black!) and had to give him up because we suspected his long hair was irritating my daughter’s allergies. They will never let me live that down. And the ½ cat (now there’s an image!) I mentioned earlier is a stray that we have named Kit Kat. Despite some people around here claiming he is a vagrant demon, Kit Kat has captured my heart. Okay, he does try to claw me in the face at times, but I’m sure I can love that anger right out of him! Seriously, there’s something about him that makes me feel like he needs us. Oh, you had the Crazy Cat Lady thought, didn’t you? I probably deserved that.

The thing is, all of these cats have been true companions to me. I know the cliches about cats: dogs have owners, cats have staff...you don’t own a cat, they own you...but cats have always captured my heart and provided a friendship unlike any human being. I talk to them more than I care to admit, but it’s therapeutic. They bring joy and comfort to me, just having them nearby. Call me a CCL (yes, I made it an acronym) if you will, but I have an affection toward cats that I embrace because it makes me feel good to love something and feel loved in return. I know not everyone can relate to this, maybe you are a dog person or don’t like animals at all. Regardless of how you feel about cats, I hope you find something in your life that fills your need for love and companionship. Just try to limit your clowder to under twenty!