9/1/2020
Pets are a clear asset these days. Puppy fever has gripped the nation and an onslaught of needy puppies are being brought up in apartments that were once deemed too small. Families that previously lacked the time and attention to give pet-rearing a go are now scooping (or leaving) poop on your sidewalk in droves. It’s a good time to be a vet while we all suffer from puppy fever.
Us cat folk are just happy to play cats* through the lock-downs. Allow me to unpack this term, while dog people get to go on runs, throw balls, and generally be overactive with their pets, us cat people can also play, but in a more muted and subtle fashion.
Playing cats is to emulate their lifestyle: lay around, eat when you like, and not really emote unless necessary. It’s the couch potatoes best life but you have to make do wherever, like cats. They can sleep on a newspaper atop a hardwood floor and make it look like a plush mattress.
My cat, little sweet baby Moses, recently went to the dentist for what was supposed to be a two tooth extraction. Turns out if you put off the dentist for a couple months your gum disease can spread and it becomes a full tooth extraction. The poor 10-year old, nine-pound, Moses had to lose all her teeth in one day.
Since then we’ve been fussing over her every move while she rides out her prescription and generally sends rueful stares at her dirty paws. Imagine having your wisdom teeth pulled without explanation and then deal with a sharp brushy tongue that grates on your new mouth wounds every time you try to eat.
Aside from her newly gummy mouth, Moses has provided us some serious comfort as we’ve been relegated to the apartment in the past few months. She even joined us for our interstate trips to visit family, sitting on the driver’s shoulder for nearly every minute of the drive.
As usual, she made friends along the way whether it was a lucky motorist whose day was made with a glimpse of Mo or my mother in law enjoying a game of playing cats via naps.
Not being a human parent myself, seeing Moses give joy to others are rare moments of pure and simple pride. Not only pride but little intense love pangs will come through when Moses is really shining. Having raised her from a days-old stray in Spokane all through to her 10th year, I feel a responsibility that can only be described as parenthood. To be completely honest, as a kitten she once attempted to latch…for milk…it was awkward but I guess I am her new age human mother/father.
Since her recent procedure left us with some sleepless nights, I also recognize that I like sleeping and am in no big rush to make a little hell-raiser of my own. Plus, how would Moses feel? She’s been in my lap this entire time and I don’t think she’s thrilled by the idea. We’ll wait.
So cheers little Mo, may her gums not bleed and her curiosity return soon. Also a sidelong cheers to those who have housed her while I traveled and generally took time off from being a human cat mother/father.
Moses healing / Moses Driving / Sun Valley Moses / Wisconsin Moses / Sleepy Moses
*Playing cats is a term made up by friends of a friend, not us, we wish.