I'm watching Marley & Me again, and I'm crying again because I know. Reynaldo was particularly naughty all day today, scattering papers, chewing holes in my umbrella and knocking down photographs. Joey has been successfully emptying the contents of his stomach up and down the hall. Charlotte has a sore on the inside of her hind leg, undoubtedly the result of one of the boys playing a bit too rough with her and reaching for her as she scurried away. It doesn't seem to bother her too much, but it bothers me. It could open up again and get infected next time I leave them alone and they play with her.Yes, these three cats are a lot of work and they so frustrating at times. And yet, I love them so. I know they will slow down as their time slips away. And I will have to deal with losing them. It will break my heart. For as the movie ends, Owen Wilson reads lines that are just as true of cats as they are of dogs: "They have no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. They don't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give them your heart and they'll give you theirs."
So on days like today, when I bemoan their maintenance, moods and mischief, it's important to remember that they won't be in my life anywhere near as long as I need them to be or want them to be, and someday I'll wish I had them for a few more days, a few more hours of meowing and hairballs and catfights.
It's one of the cruelest jokes of all, that our pets don't share our lifespans.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor's Golden died last week and that dog was the neighborhood dog. It's awful when they die.
ReplyDeleteSame with cats, I look around my house and see some scratched up door frames, furniture and rugs and try to figure out why I though owning cats would be better than a dog. And then they come and cuddle ( at least one does) and I remember why.