This week I've fallen in love. After months of conversation and
planning, Michael and I adopted a kitten from a local rescue
shelter. While I've always been crazy about animals, I had no idea
how much joy this decision would bring to our lives. Our little guy
is named "Poupon" (he's a blue/gray kitten and Michael named him
after the "Pardon me, could you please pass the Grey Poupon?"
slogan). He's a ball of energy who loves to play at all hours of the
day and night. We just love him!
Here's a picture Michael took of us this week:
In a short amount of time it's become obvious that the lessons to be
learned from a pet are quite remarkable. For example, when I'm with
Poupon, I'm standing right in the middle of the moment. Playing with
him forces me to remain centered on what we're doing right then and
there rather than on what I need to do next. He's also a powerful
example of what it means to be steadfast and focused. When he sets
his sights on something (like his favorite toy), he is sharp,
single-minded and intent. Nothing else exists but the object of his
affection and he'll wait patiently until he gets it.
Finally, he models good self-care skills. He sleeps when he's tired,
moves his body throughout the day, makes fun and play his number one
priority, avoids junk food, and finds joy in the simplest of
places. In just one short week, the life of a cat is starting to
look pretty darn good :).
The greatest lesson of all, however, is about love. While I've
always known that animals are a pure source of unconditional love,
I'd forgotten how good it feels to give love unconditionally every
day, throughout the day, without expecting anything in return. Cats
are great teachers in this regard. They do what they want to do when
they want to do it, and they respond to the energy of receptivity,
not assertion or advances. Caring for this little animal has become
a daily spiritual practice -- a ritual that will have a ripple effect
throughout my life. I'm learning to be a more loving woman because of Poupon.
If you're thinking about getting a pet, I'll be the first one to say "Go for it!" And if you have one, lucky you. Both Michael and I
agree that if we had known how wonderful it would be to have a furry
companion in our lives, we would have done it long ago.
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