I loved your note about the emotional growth of your kitty and it drew me to this beautiful article! I always knew my cat Banjo helped me practice presence but your wisdom helped me understand why. Thank you for that. I was delighted that I knew the answers to all the questions in your exercise because I’ve studied him so intently! The weight of his body on my left side each night is a feeling that brings me such peace.
I was shamed as a child for caring “too much” about animals (particularly strays) when there were “more important” things to focus on. It wasn’t until my early 40s that I stopped hiding my love and fascination for animals. I am a volunteer at a homeless animal shelter now. Being in the presence of dogs (which I didn’t know much about) has delighted me in ways I didn’t expect! I have enjoyed writing about those experiences instead of keeping them to myself.
Thank you for opening up this beautiful dialogue. I am so fond of the way you weave storytelling with psychology. You’ve got a new reader today.
Welcome Rachel! I am so glad you are reading along! This was such a lovely comment to wake up to. I’m so sorry you were ever shamed for your love and attention towards animals. Our love for them does not take away from our capacity to care for humans too. I currently have 5 cats and one dog, all who were rescued from the humane society. I also lost two senior dogs in the past year, which I’ve also written a bit about (the disenfranchised grief of losing a pet is another hardship of being an animal lover, in my experience). Thank you again for subscribing and your kind words ❤️
OH MY GATOS! My cats arrest me multiple times throughout the day. We are so lucky to have these strange furry companions guiding us through it all. Glad to have validation from a doctor that being a cat lady is not crazy.
What a wonderful exercise! My two kitties are teenagers now, so it feels especially resonant to be mindful with them and soak up every sweet moment of time we have left. 😻
Love this and so glad we connectedvia Writers at Work! Total animal-nut here 🙋🏻♀️ too (collecting all the creatures from birds to horses since childhood) …but my husband now keeps it in check. 😅
I loved your note about the emotional growth of your kitty and it drew me to this beautiful article! I always knew my cat Banjo helped me practice presence but your wisdom helped me understand why. Thank you for that. I was delighted that I knew the answers to all the questions in your exercise because I’ve studied him so intently! The weight of his body on my left side each night is a feeling that brings me such peace.
I was shamed as a child for caring “too much” about animals (particularly strays) when there were “more important” things to focus on. It wasn’t until my early 40s that I stopped hiding my love and fascination for animals. I am a volunteer at a homeless animal shelter now. Being in the presence of dogs (which I didn’t know much about) has delighted me in ways I didn’t expect! I have enjoyed writing about those experiences instead of keeping them to myself.
Thank you for opening up this beautiful dialogue. I am so fond of the way you weave storytelling with psychology. You’ve got a new reader today.
Welcome Rachel! I am so glad you are reading along! This was such a lovely comment to wake up to. I’m so sorry you were ever shamed for your love and attention towards animals. Our love for them does not take away from our capacity to care for humans too. I currently have 5 cats and one dog, all who were rescued from the humane society. I also lost two senior dogs in the past year, which I’ve also written a bit about (the disenfranchised grief of losing a pet is another hardship of being an animal lover, in my experience). Thank you again for subscribing and your kind words ❤️
OH MY GATOS! My cats arrest me multiple times throughout the day. We are so lucky to have these strange furry companions guiding us through it all. Glad to have validation from a doctor that being a cat lady is not crazy.
Also your cat is gorgeous.
Haha, about a decade ago I bought a magnet that says “My therapist thinks I’m crazy but my cat says I’m ok” 🤪
What a wonderful exercise! My two kitties are teenagers now, so it feels especially resonant to be mindful with them and soak up every sweet moment of time we have left. 😻
Yes! My oldest cat turned 15 this year and I’ve had her since she was a kitten. It’s such a special bond.
Yes, crazy cat lady here too ✋️ Those moments when a kitty crawls into my lap are my favourite moments of the day - my whole system down regulates 😊
Yes, it’s the best! And it never gets old to me. I’m excited every time lol.
Love this and so glad we connectedvia Writers at Work! Total animal-nut here 🙋🏻♀️ too (collecting all the creatures from birds to horses since childhood) …but my husband now keeps it in check. 😅