Cat Musings - Josephine Jellybean

I miss the quiet company of all of my cats . . . and I can't get home to them soon enough.

If you have a pet you love dearly, you know how hard it is to leave it alone every day while you go to work, or worse, when you leave for an extended trip. Imagine leaving for two months! Even if your pet sitter is someone you trust who also loves your pet, you know that no one else can provide the kind of loving care for them that you do. In the case of my furbabies, my son, Keifer, will do his best to honor my requests as far as the cats are concerned, but I know they will miss snuggling up next to me at night; lounging around with me during the day; for Samson and Sophie, lapping from a stream of water in my bathroom sink or tub; starting their day at 6 a.m.—Keifer certainly won’t be up that early—with their breakfast of wet food.

On Monday when I talked to John on the phone, he was having a rough day without his buddy, Brodie, so I encouraged him to go visit my cats.

“You’ve only been gone two days, Kelly,” he protested.

“I know,” I said, “but it might make you feel a little better. I know they can’t take Brodie’s place, but it might help you get your mind off of how lonely you feel.”

We talked for a few more minutes, but he remained noncommittal about visiting my cats.

About 15 minutes later, he sent a text message containing this video:

It didn’t take long for Josey to warm up to John. He has a natural way with animals, and I think they can sense it. She is an exceptional little feline, too, much like Samson. In fact, her personality is a lot like Samson’s as far as being affectionate. She also recognizes the hierarchy of the clowder and will readily back away if Samson wants to stretch out across my lap or curl up next to me. Sometimes he is willing to share some space; other times he reminds her who’s the boss by swiping at her with his paw, but he never full out attacks her the way he does poor Loki, Keifer’s cat. I’ve said before that I think he likes her, despite himself. She is certainly very, very likeable.

One of the characteristics that sets her apart is her obvious interest in humans. She loves to hear her name, and it didn’t take me long to attach the moniker “Jellybean” to it. It doesn’t matter what she’s doing, if I summon her, she comes running. When I pat the cushion of the recliner or sofa next to me, she hops up eagerly and steps up on my lap to receive the copious amounts of strokes and scratches I offer. Her little engine roars as she closes her eyes and stretches so I can reach her head, neck, or back with my gentle caresses. In seconds she relaxes, lays down across my lap, and when my hand or arm is in

just the right position, she deposits a kiss on it with her scratchy little tongue! She’s the first and only cat I’ve adopted that behaves that way, and it’s very endearing. She would have been a wonderful momma, and it makes me a little sad to think she won’t ever have the opportunity. On the other hand, there are more than enough sweet, deserving cats and kittens in the shelters that need to experience the love and security of a home where they can offer the gifts of their unique personalities in return for that security and love.

She definitely likes to eat, and her round tummy is an indication that I will need to monitor her intake as best I can. It worries me a little to be away from her so soon after she adapted to the other cats and myself. It’s been only a few months, and it makes me wonder if she’ll remember me when I finally get home or if I might have to start over with her. I tend to think that because of her happy-go-lucky nature, it won’t take long either way.

Without a doubt, I miss the quiet company of all of my cats. I miss coming home to find Samson on the banister or sitting expectantly on the narrow table in my entryway. I miss seeing Andre sprawled on the living room rug, his belly exposed and ready for strokes of my hand. Most of all, I miss feeling their warm, furry bodies nestled next to me at night when I drift off to sleep. I can’t get home to them soon enough.