5 Ways Cats Make Life Better…and Why I Can’t Have One Anymore 

There they are, sweet, big-eyed, and adorable. Every time I see a cat on Instagram, especially those furry Siberians and Ragdolls, I feel envious. I miss having a cat. Even though I can’t have one right now, I realize felines make life better in 5 important ways…

Their softness – Yes, dogs are soft too, especially my fluffy Yorkie, Libby. But, there’s something especially touchable about cat fur, so velvety, thick, and luxurious. I miss a cat rubbing against my ankles in the morning meowing for breakfast. I miss patting them after they’ve jumped on my lap, joining me for reading time. I miss kitty cuddles while watching television at night. 

The world can be harsh, so it’s lovely having this gorgeous creature to touch. Somehow things aren’t so bad with a cat’s soft fur nearby.

They’re funny—It’s hard to explain this to a non-cat-lover, but kitties are hilarious. Between youthful spastic house runs, to that ‘scaredy cat’ look they do, with fur sticking out, rising on the tipsiest of toes, cats are silly. Ever seen one of those videos with a dog going crazy because a cat is sitting on his bed? The dog is out of his mind, barking, fretting, and whining, but the cat–with the deadpan comedy instincts of Buster Keaton–remains unmoved and unfazed. 

Cats live in their own wryly comic world. And their funny antics take us out of ours. 

Their coziness – Cats are good at finding the most interesting places to snuggle. Cardboard boxes come to mind. I’ve never had a cat who didn’t love to curl up in a gift container, usually too small for them. We’ve also found them on top of bookcases, in bookcases, on the kitchen counter, inside an open dishwasher, lying in the bathtub, and atop baskets of laundry (the more freshly washed and neater, the better), What kitty wants in terms of bedding, kitty gets.

It’s nice to see a creature so committed to comfort. The ritual of a purring cat with sleepy eyes kneading a pillow just before passing out is timeless. Living with a cat is like taking a master class in self-care.

Their independence – Libby is with me 24/7, literally, unless I leave the house. She sleeps with me, joins me for every meal, and sits on my lap while I write (she’s here right now). This is all lovely, but occasionally, I need a ‘togetherness’ break. By contrast, our cats Rocky, Floyd, and Callie had no problem with going off by themselves for hours at a time. They needed to chill, which meant I got to chill too. 

Our last cat Rocky took solitude to extremes, sometimes disappearing for an entire day, within the house. Once, he got stuck inside the ceiling, but that’s a story for another time. Still, it was nice to get a break.

Their ease – Unlike dogs who crave attention, walks, play, treats, activity, and games, cats are easy. They need a litter box, and that’s about it. Where Libby pulls me through my day (sometimes literally), cats meander along, and only remind his pet parents when it’s food time. Where dogs bark at ear-piercing levels at any vehicle pulling into the driveway, cats quietly sprint away, to safety under the bed. Where dogs need constant grooming, cats take care of their own salon needs, thank you very much. 

How nice to have a pet who requires such little maintenance.

So why can’t we have another cat? Two reasons. One is our possessive terrier, Libby. I think she’d go into deep depression to see me cuddling a sweet, fluffy kitten. She might also be a bully. Another reason is I like having furniture intact after decades of ripped sofas and rugs from claw sharpening.

Still…the heart wants what the heart wants. In the meantime, there’s always Instagram. Sigh.

 

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