bonding

Tag Archive: bonding

Nothing Sleeps Like A Cat

Written on July 16, 2011 by J. Paul Burnside

Nothing, and I mean nothing, sleeps like a cat.

Jayne’s sleeping habits are ridiculous even for a cat. Please ignore my freckled elbow. I couldn’t find a way to crop the photo that still included Jayne, but didn’t flash my elbow to the world.

The quilt he’s on was made by my mom. She threw together several crazy colors that she liked. When she asked everyone what they thought of the quilt, she always got an “It’s interesting” response. When I saw it, I instantly fell in love with it. I mean, what’s not to love? It can burn out retinas at 10 paces.

Perfect.

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Feline Love

Written on January 28, 2011 by J. Paul Burnside

“Loneliness does not come from being alone, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important,” said Carl Jung.

A big part of what I love about cats is their ability to seem to understand what’s needed. From the time I was 22, Shivers would always find me and keep me company when I was lonely. When I don’t feel good, Jayne perches on the hope chest next to the bed, and watches over me. Oswald once brought his chewie bone (yes, he’s a cat, and yes, he chews on everything) onto the bed when I had a migraine. He stayed at the foot of the bed the whole time, napping and nomming on his toy.

They give so much of their lives, and ask so little. Occasionally this is hard to remember, when I’m tired and crabby from a bad day at work. Sometimes it feels like a burden. I’m trying harder to remember that taking care of them actually makes me feel better. Do you find the same thing to be true?

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Written on March 3, 2010 by J. Paul Burnside

I had a huge to-do list today. Alas, I am foiled. I’ve managed to catch pneumonia. Go me. On the plus (?) side, Oswald went in for his yearly vaccines yesterday so he’s also feeling under the weather. He’s getting in some serious “mum time” today. So we’re bonding. I was really looking forward to writing the next few entries, but snuggling and rest are important, too.

So there will be more posts once the Meezer and I are feeling a bit better.

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ALL RIGHT!!

Written on February 16, 2010 by J. Paul Burnside

Valentine got a home!

Check it out: story at KBOI.

This makes me unbelievably happy. I remember the day she came into my care at the Simply Cats shelter. She was so scared and disoriented. It took quite a bit of work and care to get her healthy. Then there was the fact that she had lost all trust in people. We did some serious behaviour work with her, as well as offering simple love and affection.

When her eye started itching as it healed, I put red Softpaws on her back feet so that she could scratch without causing damage. Red for Valentine. Get it? I know, I’m goofy. We really worried over whether her eye would heal successfully, but it finally did.

I think the best part was when my then ten-year-old stepson came to visit her. Despite the pain inflicted on her by a twelve-year-old boy, she interacted with him perfectly normally. It brought tears to my eyes that she had come so far.

And now, finally, she has a forever home.

If you’re not familiar with her, I have several posts about Valentine and taking care of her. Here are some of them, or you can search for Valentine using the search option in the upper right side of the menu bar.

January 23, 2009: A Will To Live
January 24, 2009: Valentine In The Morning
January 27, 2009: Raised Spirits
January 28, 2009: Please, no autographs
February 4, 2009: A Perfect Fit
February 14, 2009: Valentine’s Day
March 4, 2009: A Little Traveling Music, Please
March 11, 2009: A Room of Her Own

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And I Shall Call You…

Written on April 19, 2009 by J. Paul Burnside

Actually, I’m really trying hard not to name my current foster kittens. Their status is shaky and I’m trying not to get attached, but really it was too late for that the second I saw them.

The smallest baby is now unofficially “Gummy McGummerson.” It doesn’t matter how quick I am or how I hold him. He will find something to gum on as soon as I pick him up. It’s like he’s a cute, furry lamprey. He even tried nursing the plastic side of a soap dish.

Anyone know if there is such a thing as a pacifier for kittens?

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