I have always said that there are two things that make a house a home: a piano (my father would be proud) and cats. My family is a family of cat lovers and none of us could imagine a home without a wonderful four-legged creature in it. Animals are amazing beings. One of the purest relationships around. Other than food, walking and a little attention, they are not demanding of us. They bestow on us their unconditional love and we love to love them in return.
My cat has been with me for almost 14 years. He was a co-dependent love bunny (rather, kitty) from day one – always in my lap, always purring, and chock full of personality to boot. My cat thinks he is a dog. Seriously, he really does. He has species identity confusion. He will play fetch, roll over, speak when spoken to, come when I call him, and he presents me with his “toys” each morning. He purrs in my presence and always longs to be near me. The perfect cat and the perfect dog rolled into one pet.
I have found that having a pet in my life is very therapeutic. Having one being that loves me unconditionally and is always happy to see me, no matter what may be going on in my life. This brings great comfort, joy, and peace. When I am feeling blue, quality time with my cat is always a good strategy to start to lift my spirits.
My cat is older than my girls, he is part of my family (as are our other two cats). In fact, my girls will often say that they have three furry siblings – and they MEAN it! They really see our cats as part of their extended family and they love to love the felines as much as my partner and I do.
I think that pets do more than shower us in their affection, they also afford children the wonderful opportunity to learn what it is like to help care for a living thing. My girls help feed and clean up after our cats and it has been a very good lesson for both of them. They love the cats and they understand that helping to care for them is a way to give back love to the animals that love them so much. I always thought that if reincarnation was a reality, I would want to reincarnate as a cat lovers cat – what heaven it must be to live like a king or queen in the midst of a family that appreciates the value of a wonderful pet.
Today, 352 days ’til 40, I honor all of those pets out there whose presence make our lives richer. As I head to 40 I will remind myself not to take their love for granted – their unconditional love is a priceless gift.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
namelessneed
March 6, 2012 at 03:30
You had me at -I have always said that there are two things that make a house a home
a piano (my father would be proud) (mine too) and cats. I can so relate/ thanx
and thanx for looking in on my site SPILLING SOME
400daystil40
March 6, 2012 at 22:37
Thanks Namelessneed! I look forward to reading more of your writing.
~400daystil40
Namaste Consulting Inc
March 6, 2012 at 07:52
I would have never agreed… not ever having pets and having all kinds of allergies… but almost 4 years ago, I stayed with a friend for 6 months and came to adopt that friend’s pets. I was deeply touched by them and saddened when both died about a year apart.
Thanks for the post.
400daystil40
March 6, 2012 at 22:33
Yes, Namaste, it is amazing how our experiences bonding with pets change our attitude towards them. My partner is a dog lover, but we have three cats and it is amazing to see the transformation into a cat lover! It is very sad to see our pets die, they give us such a pure, unconditional love – a deeper love than us humans and our demands can give (I think)
~400daystil40
zaonez
March 6, 2012 at 10:14
I just wanted to say good luck on your journey. I look forward to following it 🙂
400daystil40
March 6, 2012 at 22:32
Thank you Zaonez!!
~400daystil40
The Quiet Borderline
March 6, 2012 at 10:54
Cool. Cool cool cat 🙂
The Quiet Borderline
http://quietbpd.wordpress.com/
Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat
March 6, 2012 at 17:37
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Enjoy your journey to 40. It is a wonderful time of your life. . . as is every day.
400daystil40
March 6, 2012 at 22:31
Thank you! I look forward to reading more of your writing.
~400daystil40
cherished79
March 6, 2012 at 17:44
I couldn’t agree more as I have a doggie; and have always have dogs throughout my life. The pets are companions and so loyal. And, since mine is a rescue dog, I feel so good inside that this little girl got a chance to live in a good home with people.
400daystil40
March 6, 2012 at 22:30
Hi Cherished,
Thanks for your comment! My cats are also rescues (I have three of them) – it does mean so much to know that you have taken a loving animal and given them a warm, caring home!
~400daystil40
Victoria
March 7, 2012 at 05:20
I totally agree! My dog’s bowl says “Home is where your dog is”, but I feel the same way about cats (which I also have 🙂 Animals are such comfort and give such unconditional love!! What a gift they are!!
400daystil40
March 7, 2012 at 07:50
Yes, Victoria – they really are a gift – I cannot imagine life without them!
~400daystil40
Bongo
March 7, 2012 at 06:00
I’m a dog who lives with a cat. I agree with you. I don’t know what people would do without us.
400daystil40
March 7, 2012 at 07:50
Love your comment!!!!
🙂
~400daystil40
charles
March 7, 2012 at 17:15
What a great post! I totally agree. My new puppy has been such a blessing in my life – pets are so wonderful!
400daystil40
March 7, 2012 at 22:52
Thanks, Charles – New puppies are so much fun!!!!
~400daystil40
John Paul McNeil
March 8, 2012 at 08:33
Just got here 400, after you so kindly liked my horse poem on my site. Great post, all of us who have had and loved pets know that kind of love is the best, unconditional. Cats, dogs, what most folks think of first as pets. But horses too. More difficult to get to know and be close to, cause they tend to live out in flelds and/or in barns, but if you ever get to know one on a real close level, Whoa! It’ll make you whoa up big time. Had a Morgan-Arab mare years ago, she could literally read my mind. And smart. Not sure who trained who. But that’s another story, and this is your blog, and a very fine one. Only the 2nd post I’ve read of yours, and will read some more. Thanks.
400daystil40
March 9, 2012 at 21:39
Thanks, John. Yes, I agree – I have quite a few friends who have developed amazing bonds with horses!
~400daystil40
babso2you
March 11, 2012 at 17:20
Our extended family includes a dog and two cats. Cannot imagine life without them! Nice blog! And, thank you for stopping by to see mine, and for the like as well!
400daystil40
March 11, 2012 at 20:58
You are welcome – I look forward to hearing more from you!
~400daystil40
katrael59ganaiden
March 12, 2012 at 19:14
You cat with species identity confusion reminds me of a female cat I once had. She thought she was human. She walked upright at times on her hind legs and went to the bathroom in the toilet and I didn’t train her to do either one of those things.
I would find her hanging by her claws looking out through the oval window in the door waiting for me to come home from work. I was sad when she got out and didn’t return for some reason? I’ve got several cats now but none that displayed anything like what I’d seen before. Thanks for your post.
400daystil40
March 12, 2012 at 22:10
And thank you, katrael59ganaiden, for your post. Your cat sounds like she was amazing… how sad it must have been when she wandered off….
~400daystil40
food for health and happiness
March 12, 2012 at 21:34
oh it’s so true. my dog is my hero. he has stood by me through thick and thin. i can not the same for some of my human friends.
he is my best medicine, best friend, and my biggest fan.
yay for your kitty. our animals often put human animals to shame.
400daystil40
March 12, 2012 at 22:15
Yes, Food for health and happiness, I have also found that animals are so much more loyal than humans – and their unconditional love is the best healing gift out there.
~400daystil40
suntithenai
March 13, 2012 at 20:46
You liked one of my posts. I came to visit you now. Charming post. Have grown up with 25-30 cats on my parents farm and then beginning in 1990 began to have cats in our home, all homeless and one incredible Siamese that a friend asked us to take. Souse had an incredible vocabulary and you could tell what he was saying. My spouse was his favorite. I was his servant and often told me off as I cooked his favorite dishes because he thought I was too slow. He loved sauteed salmon in wine sauce with creme fraiche and Breast of Chicken with Mornay Sauce. He did not like cat food particularly expensive food!! He died two years ago and now rests under a huge Mango Tree in our back yard. I shall visit again. Frank
John Paul McNeil
March 13, 2012 at 21:14
Ah, to be a Cat in your house (and kitchen)!
400daystil40
March 13, 2012 at 22:35
Thanks, Frank – I agree with John!!!!! I would love to reincarnate as your cat!
🙂
~400daystil40
barnyarn
March 15, 2012 at 03:24
I so agree with your sentiments – I always think how terrible it would be for me if I were allergic to cats.
400daystil40
March 15, 2012 at 22:16
Yes, I agree – it would be so traumatic for me if I was allergic to cats!