Fiber Follies

Why is Chavez still in residence at Lollypop Farm? Why? He’s so mellow.

I see dozens of people every time I walk into Lollypop, looking at the kitties alongside me. And you all pass right by him. If there were a way to bring that dear boy here I certainly would. There are homes in the area filled with felines, and you’re the people who’d most likely take him in-if you could. I’m not talking about you. I already know that you do your best to make loving permanent homes for your fuzzkids.

It’s the rest of you. Yes, you, with the two not-quite-teen youngsters. Imagine how stately Chavez would look strolling through your home. Imagine that great fluffbuddy in your lap, purring and happy to be in your life. No. You walk on to look for kittens.

And you, over there, already looking at kittens. What are you, 75 or so? Do you really think you’ll live long enough to provide the best care throughout that kitten’s next 20 years? Kittens are great-they’re a blast to raise. BUT~ I’m not yet 50 and I’ve decided to not bring kittens home-I think I’d have a hard time giving a kitten the care it would need in 20 years when we’re both seniors. For now, it would be fun. But I don’t feel the need to be so uncaring about that baby cat’s future.

Oh, there’s a sweet family-two little ones, one barely over infancy and one nearing the end of toddler-ism. Um, the kids don’t know how to be careful with a fragile kitten. Children don’t comprehend things like delicate kitten bones. Lots of supervision needed with little people, are you prepared to be that kitten’s bodyguard ALL THE TIME? Can you provide a place for that little guy to hide away when it needs its quiet time? Can you supervise every interaction between your babies and the kitten? You’re willing to do all that? Great. Get a kitten. Otherwise, if you think you can handle a cat who is better able to save itself when the children are a bit too much, then go for an older cat. You still need to supervise! Cats aren’t babysitters. OR~ You can get a kitten when the children are older and better comprehend little creatures and their needs. There’s nothing like growing up with pets. And pets who are well loved and properly cared for will thrive as will your children. You’ll see friendships form that aren’t possible within the human race.

What is it like to be a cat, to be on the inside of one of those cubicles? You can look at the staff and volunteers in that middle room or you can look at the people staring at you from outside. Yes. Looking at you, then disappearing as they move on down the line, looking at the other residents. How does it feel to see a face that might remind you of someone you loved, gone forever from your life? How does it feel to see a face that you automatically adore? You cheek-rub your cubicle in that face’s direction, you purr, you knead, you mew in hope of communicating, you beg for the face to connect.

And the face moves away.

How does it feel?