TGIF
Smokey isn’t that into me.
This is odd and disconcerting for me as all my other cats have become close personal friends and family members.
I assumed that after Miss Kitty went to be with the Lord that Smokey and I would develop the same kind of relationship I had with her…or a reasonable facsimile thereof, as all cats, like all people, are different.
This has not happened yet, though he has lived here for quite some time now.
So far, all our interactions are about what the Big Smoke wants, when he wants it…then he leaves.
I suspect that he has some affection for me…but I wouldn’t put big money on the proposition.
There is a real good chance that his experiences with other humans has taught him that this is the way of feline wisdom…and that getting too close means getting hurt or worse.
It’s possible that this relationship will take years to build…and it may not change much at all.
What should I do?
Maybe… I should constantly threaten him with being cast into the outer darkness until he loves me the way he should.
Maybe… I should leave him out in the rain with only wet kibble until he repents.
Maybe… I should refuse to acknowledge any movement toward me until I completely break him.
Maybe …I should just get rid of him…there are lots of cats that need a home.
These suggestions are pure, cruel, stupidity, of course…yet somehow we think this kind of behavior is how we help God draw people in to His family.
I don’t know what experiences have shaped Ol’ Smokey’s personality.
I don’t know what has happened in his life to make him distrust humans.
I do know this…that it is only consistent kindness that will change him.
I learned that…from God.
So…I realized something the other day.
I stopped buying treats because they made Miss Kitty sick….thus, Smokey had never had a cat treat.
I picked some up and Smokey has now discovered the joy of treats.
He’s always been well taken care of…but treats are a whole new ballgame.
He’s now slept on the bed with me three nights in a row.
He’s been way more verbal…probably asking for more treats.
Kindness works.
Love wins.
Cruelty is its own reward…
Make your own application…
When my very shy little Ally came to me in April of 2020, she hid under the bed and hissed. Then, she moved to the back of the toilet and hissed. I had some lickable treats left over from my previous kitty (she didn’t like them), and I tried one. It still took another month, but Ally started waking me up for her delicious treat in a tube. She still is ready right at 4:40 am ( I get 10 minutes to get my first cup of coffee). I wish humans responded to tuna in a tube, but I have a few acquaintances for which I continue to try different “offerings.”
Glad that Smokey is becoming the Phoenix Purrer. God sent us a dog to love us when we needed some, when people just couldn’t cut it I suppose.
Keep up the current work in Christ, while resting in the finished work of Christ, I say unto you all.
Linn,
I’ve never understood why so many don’t know that it’s the kindness of god that leads to repentance…probably the same reason we don’t try to ‘love our enemies’… keep trying those offerings…
JD,
I’ve always done better with pets than people…and vice versa…but the pets help me tolerate the people… 🙂
Oh, such a funny story! I love it! But what is sad is that you are right; so many of us treat animals better than the people God has surrounded us with.
“pets help me tolerate the people…”. LOL
life isn’t easy… our neighbor has a serious drinking problem and is coming home today from another round of rehab’. I wonder why she can’t come to grips with the fact that life isn’t fair OR easy… Too easy to run to the bottle, i guess…. dunno
the world has tilted more towards balance now that a Friday cat post is up…thanks, and well said. My bride and I were speaking of this very thing, sans cats, in the car the other night.
Thanks, fil…give my best to your bride as well.