What we learn from the things in our everyday lives can intrigue us. In my life I was surprised to find out that my cats have actually taught me some things
Patience, commitment, acceptance and courage
Commitment: At first, I thought having a pet was easy, you buy food and litter and change it regularly. But what I didn't know was that, other than food, shelter and water, cats need emotional support as well. When they are small, they like to explore and you have to honor that need. After a while they will become more and more playful these are the most fun times of owning a cat. After months of having a cat, it doesn't come as a surprise anymore and the newness wears off. The cat just seems like just an ordinary thing in our household. They get lazy and more oriented to sleep; you might even forget that they are there. Still, there is an emotional quota and the fact that if you don't play with them regularly, they will get obese. So, I started playing with them more. The beauty in having as cat is they will tell you when they need something. They will meow and you have to figure out whether they want food, treats or just plain loving. This taught me commitment. They never let me slip and my wife and I are never home alone because we have our cats.
Patience: cats can teach you patience. They demonstrate every day. They sit quietly at the door, waiting for you to come home. This comes naturally to them. But it doesn't in us. When I wake up in the morning, I get out a can of cat food. They sit eager but still as I open the top. When I'm hungry I go straight for the fridge. I don't know what it's like to have to wait for someone to feed me. If I am in a place where I cannot access food when I'm hungry, I get uncomfortable and irritable. I might get anxious and I might get frustrated. Then, I think of my cats. They sit quietly all day. If they are hungry, they may meow but that's the most of it. If I'm not there, they are still humble when I get home. And patiently, they sit and watch as I get their food.
Acceptance and courage: one day I received news that a neighbor was going to throw all their kittens and their mother out in the cold. This frustrated and upset me. How could anyone be so cruel? My wife and I have two cats of our own and she is very allergic but she manages that allergy by taking three different medications--all to keep our lovely cats. When we were faced with this dilemma of whether to take the cats, we had to accept what we couldn't change--if we don't take these cats they will be left outside in the cold rain. However, we had an epiphany, we are good people, we love cats, and we knew that the right thing to do was to take them in for a day or two, and then take them to the local animal shelter. This took courage, love and made me a better person in the process.
My cats have taught me a lot over the years, and passionate as I am, they weren't just a learning experience but a loving and meaningful one as well. Pets as companions in general lift our moods, give us purpose and fill our lives with memories. So, as I finish, I would like to lend you one last thought: do you think anything in your life, whether extraordinary or mundane, could teach you something that you didn't expect to learn? Think about it!
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