Mindful Monday – How “Supportive” is Your Cat?

I think most of us would scoff at this question. I mean what happens in your household when you try to sleep in or when you want to take a nap after a hectic day? What about when you feel sicker than a dog and all you want is to be left alone? What is your cat’s reaction? How empathetic is she?

I guess it depends on the cat. Most cats seem to believe it’s their duty to wake you up in the morning. But is that because she doesn’t want you to miss an appointment? She knows how you don’t like to be late for work? She’s missed you terribly all night and is eager to give you kitty smooches? Not likely. In my experience cats wake us up in the morning because they’re hungry. And that’s not a sin, is it? I mean we want to give our cats what they need and what they want. It’s a healthy, smart cat who knows how to take care of her own needs. But what about when we’re sick?

Does your cat curl up with you on the couch? How sweet. But is that because you’re using her favorite throw and Fluffy is simply interested in the cozy blankie and your body heat? Does she know to stay off your tummy when you feel sick? Will she let you sleep through her dinner time?

Since I’ve been down with the flu these last weeks, Lily and Sophie seem either to be across the room glaring at me or nudging me to feed them. Oh, occasionally one of them will curl up with me or near me and I like to think it’s because they miss me and/or want to comfort me, but I’m pretty sure they’re just annoyed that I’m taking up so much space on the sofa.

In my Klepto Cat Mysteries, Rags is super sensitive to some of the maladies and emotions of humans. He has pointed out medical issues with children, which isn’t out of the realm of actuality. There are instances where cats (as well as dogs) have seemed to diagnose medical problems with their humans before a doctor could. But as far as I can tell with my two kitty-girls, all they want is to be fed on time and enjoy their own creature comforts no matter what our human issues are. Sigh.