How to replace the irreplaceable
My absence has been a lengthy one this time - it’s been a strange phase since coming back from my trip, with a lot of deep thoughts not yet ready to be put into words. Whilst trying to settle these new directions forming in me, December was also pretty much overwhelming me with a lot of unexpected, warm invites! All cherished & impossible to say no to, so it has been a busy time with many parties, dinners & club-outings, which I don’t for the life of me regret - but beneath them I’ve slowly started setting up the basis for a calmer life. Some firm decisions need to be made as to my economy: the boat requires a re-blackening & I am also considering buying a flat in Stockholm. Further I am full on working to create a space to regain my creative spark ( = a work area is ready, but I need a decent high stool that goes with the interior) ( *for some reason I like to be perched high when working) & a steady routine for both exercise & learning Spanish ( this currently translates to me learning 6-10 new words every day, & re-iterated in my mind whilst swimming in the pool = an excellent method so far!). And lastly:
a cat.
But the last is not proving entirely easy… It's naturally to be from a shelter - but the way Happy singled me out & the outstanding way in which we met, has made me look for something my dense head won’t accept can’t be the same. This time there won’t be a mewing set a pitch over the others, the repeated pull or a moment of seeing distressed eyes & falling heedlessly. It was a once in a life time knowing/connection; I’m not stupid. But it nevertheless has had me visit Mayhew twice fruitlessly, wandering past every pen waiting for something that will set a cat apart. Friends have recommended 'Paws for Life' (who specialise in old & ill cats), but their preference is that you choose a cat from a pic on their website, which I find difficult, so I’ve ended up also contacting Battersea. ‘It’s just a cat’, doesn’t work for me; it’s a companion ~ not to forget in the sensitivity of that choice that the poor critter must also be able to put up with me..heh. ;-)
But I’m considering taking on two cats. Mainly because of the overflow in shelters from the recession, but also admittedly because there’s a wistful part in me that recalls how Happy paced the pontoon his one & only Christmas, crying pitifully for the other cats… this perhaps a small, belated gesture to the need in him that my gawky, two legged presence couldn’t fill at the time. And yes, *sigh*, I know.. it’s probably a bonkers decision when under threat to lose my job, but most I spend on is starting to feel increasingly trivial; especially in comparison to accomodating a piece of forlorn soul/life. Although I acknowledge I may well be too optimistic about space on my boat…
'Paws for life' have this sweet looking pair - but they've suggested this cat… and the way he follows you around does admittedly sound very endearing.
Battersea are more informative, and this fellow seems so much like Happy (& he's been stuck there since July). He drools in a slightly inelegant fashion, but I think I can live with that… ;-)
~ So, well... seeing one today, the other tonight, so send me all your good luck vibes in this ‘trepidatious’ process of picking… Gah!!
Edit: damn, damn, damn! Puss is not at Battersea, but a location way beyond Croyden... I can forget that without car. :-(((