Lessons Our Pets Teach Us

The kitty on the left is Spice.  Spice is the mother of Sugar on right.  All Spice wanted was a warm lap.  The day we went to the shelter to choose our kitties Spice was shy.  When I rubbed her chin she leaned into it and I knew she was the kitty for me.

Sugar grew up on the streets of Waterbury with Spice.  Sugar and Spice were abandoned.   Sugar was 5 to 6 months old when we brought her home.  Sugar wasn’t socialized as a kitten.  With Sugar’s temperament I don’t think it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.  Sugar sees people as a source of food and warmth.

Sugar is growing affectionate as she matures.  When I’m working in my office she meows at me even though there’s food in her bowl.  If I give her a few pets the purring starts.

Sugar has bonded with Madison, our high-strung, though calming as she matures, collie.  I often see them laying one or two feet apart with sugar copying Madison.  Madison never moves into Sugar’s space for fear of ‘The claw.’  Sugar freely move into Madison’s space.

cat sleeping on dog

Both of our children have suffered from ‘The claw’ because they didn’t listen to Sugar.  If you ask what noise a cat makes my children will make a hissing noise.  Sugar is the reason neither of my children want a cat for a pet.  I plan on getting a fluffy and affectionate kitten for my children, and myself, when the time is right.

I have taught my children to rub their fingers together and let Sugar come to them, not to walk up to Sugar and start petting her.  Sugar is ok with about 5-8 strokes on her terms before you get a gentle reminder that she is in control, not you.

Some people might think a cat-like that is a bad thing to have in the house.  I disagree.

Sugar shows incredible restraint.  When she strikes she does the least necessary to get the point across.  No more, no less.

Cat in sun
If either of my children did not listen to Sugar I would have to find her a new home because she could injure one of them.  Sugar has taught my children to respect animals.

Sugar the Cat and Theo the Great Pyrenees Dog
We lost Madison our Collie about a year and a half ago. We now have a Great Pyrenees puppy named Theo. Sugar has dealt with the situation very well.

CATS RULE!

By John Holden


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2 responses to “Lessons Our Pets Teach Us”

  1. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    It’s great you were able to give Sugar and Spice such a wonderful home. Your children will be much better off for having learned how to “read” cats. Thank you for letting Sugar be the individual she is and for taking such a wise approach in teaching your children how to relate to her.

    1. john holden Avatar
      john holden

      Thanks Debbie. I think my children are learning to read people from Sugar. Sugar is taking a cat nap in her kitty bed in my office as I write.