And Moses Roared

"Moses?" you ask. Ok. Well, he showed up a few months ago at our farm and roared like a lion. And it just popped into my head: Moses spoke AND THE PEOPLE (and other cats) LISTENED. He changed most everything around here. Our peaceful cat kingdom got turned on its head. Having six cats already, I had taken a solemn vow not to become a crazy cat lady. In these parts, seven cats is the magic number for that moniker. It seems I have just crossed over.

Photo by cat-lover Dwayne Smith

I did feed the hungry Moses when he showed up, but I kept telling myself not to get attached. That was made easier since he wouldn't even let me touch him. He was a Tom cat with a head the size of a bowling ball and dangling man parts, and I knew he would soon be on the prowl and would likely disappear for good. And for awhile I prayed fervently for that to happen.

You see, feeding animals here on the farm is a type of morning and evening meditation of sorts for me. So when Moses created chaos (being an intact male in a neutered and spayed world), I found myself anxious and resistant. I wanted him to go away.

And then one day he did. Immediately, I felt lost and mission-less. The peace and quiet irritated the hell out of me. Confused, I began looking for Moses, but without any success.

About ten days later (but who's counting), Moses reappears. He is now holding up his right foot, and looking generally pathetic. I try to approach him slowly, but no dice. Still, he allows no contact. He will accept food and water, but that is all. Over the next two months, I attempt all types of cat whispering, to no avail. He continues to pick fights with the other cats. I know I need to get him to my vet's office, but he is too smart for a trap, even when food is temporarily withheld.

My cat tribe grows weary of the roaring and scrimmages. I start getting anxious before I even walk out our door. My usually sweet husband starts calling him Limpy Cat. Moses just roars even louder.

And then one day everything changed. Moses started seeking me out, increasing resentment among my established cat order. A few weeks later I was able to pick him up, put him in a crate with only minimal drama, and deliver him to my vet. He was neutered and vaccinated, and no discernible cause was found for his limp. I believe I have been majorly outsmarted!

In my experience, cats are very good at figuring out what a person needs. In hindsight, I needed my world to be shaken up a bit. I needed to establish a new order. I might even have needed to be reminded how easy it is to be had.

And just like that, Moses is my new best friend. He even stood straight up on his hind legs today and purred (quite loudly) while I was petting him. I don't believe he is going anywhere, unless he finds the need to shake up someone else's world order.

So tell me, has anything shaken up your world order lately?

Marianne M. Smith

Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time

http://writerattheranch.com

wordsmith@writerattheranch.com