It’s been two weeks since I took Billy the cat home from the animal shelter. I have to admit that he is more than I can deal with. After years of having low key senior cats, Billy is both a breath of fresh air and an out of control circus performer on steroids in comparison.
He is just a little over a year old. His favorite thing to do is run zoomies around the house and terrorize my furniture and carpets. He sees scratching posts as a poor choice compared to upholstered chairs and rugs He is a hunter and likes to practice by biting and clawing away at his toys, as well as at any available hands and ankles. Billy is also an adorable cuddle monkey. He is a lap cat of the first order. On the first night in my house he came over and sat on my chest when I laid down in bed. He makes my heart sing when he snuggles up for some pets. He is very entertaining as well, poking his head around the shower curtain when I am taking a shower and climbing into the refrigerator when my back is turned to put something on the counter that I have taken out. His favorite toy is feathers on a stick. He will follow it anywhere and perform amazing gymnastic maneuvers, leaping and flipping, trying to “catch” the feathers. When he does catch it he will proudly drag his trophy around the room. He needs and demands lots and lots of attention. Billy is a a master at being a cat. He explores everything with an enviable curiosity. He “hunts” with precision and skill. He knows what he wants and goes after it with gusto. I guess cats are trainable but really it’s a matter of them training their owners. I have not been able to find a way to “train” Billy to direct his cat energy away from doing destructive things. I have decided to let someone else take on that challenge. This makes me very sad. It feels like another loss in the long list of losses I have endured this year. I really wanted Billy to be “the one,” a cat I could grow older with. But I am already old and Billy needs more than I can give. I feel like a failure but I know I have done the best I could to provide a good home for him. Billy needs a place that matches his high energy and has more exciting things to interact with than a little old lady and a lot of upholstered furniture. So today I am going to bring Billy back to the shelter. It is a shelter where their only focus is to find animals the right home. I will bring his beloved feathers on a stick toy too and notes on what I know about him that will hopefully help him find the perfect new home. Update: Billy is now back at the shelter. They treated me and Billy in a supportive and understanding manner. The house feels empty tonight. Update of the update: Billy got adopted!
1 Comment
Mary Blotti Anderson
2/2/2022 08:44:33 pm
you did the right thing-maybe a meek little calico?
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Leslie Masona woman in search of her post-retirement future Guess what! By subscribing, you get notices about the latest Little Old Lady with Cats posts sent to your mailbox!
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