"Meow."
I keep reading, concentrating on the sentence I'm trying to read.
"Meow!"
I start my sentence over, but again--
"Meow. Meow. MEOW!"
I turn the other way, hoping it'll stop for a half hour so I can fully wake up. But if I'm stubborn, Kitty is even more so.
"Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meeeeooooowwwwww. Meoooooooooooooooooow. Meow. Meoow! MEOW! MEOW!"
Finally, after having started the same sentence seven times, I give up and reluctantly get up and follow as Kitty runs to the minifridge. Yawning, I take out the plastic container that has her food and dump a few spoonfuls into her dish.
The infuriating thing is, she'll take two nibbles, shut up, and then walk away. What the hell, Cat!? You were just meowing like a... well, like a dying cat, as if you were on the brink of starvation, and then once I give you food you couldn't care less! Stupid cat!
Still, she's my stupid cat and I'm very fond of her. She eats bugs -- cockroaches, moths, spiders, etc. In the afternoons, we often take naps together -- her curled up on my stomach or in the crook of my arm. She purrs as I gently stroke her, and life is good.
Lots of Peace Corps volunteers have pets. Animals can be such a source of companionship, especially during first few months of service. The first three months at site are widely known to be the hardest, when you're dealing with homesickness, isolation, missing other volunteers, getting used to your site, etc. I had Poppy when I got to site, and she was a great friend to me.
Which is why I wasn't too surprised when, the other day as I was on vacation, I got a text from my new roommate at site, Laura.
"I got a puppy!"
And what a puppy he is.
I've never lived with a puppy before, and it's been equally fun and infuriating. He's so cute, and he loves to have his belly rubbed and sleep upside down. On the other hand, he chews on everything, pees everywhere (seriously, everywhere!) and cries at night.
Still, Laura loves him like her own child. We've been spending a lot of time sitting on the couch together, watching Downton Abbey, with my cat purring on my lap and the dog lying contently belly-up on Laura's lap.
Our little friend, Simba |
Slowly, though, they've been getting used to each other. The dog is always trying to play with her, and she just glares at him, as if to say "Come on. I dare you to come a few steps closer."
Still, we've caught them eating from the same bowl without fighting, and even napping next to each other. I just know that one of these days, I'll catch Leeloo curled up with the dog and purring.
But for now, the relationship is pretty much explained by this photo:
Still, they're our animals and we love them. <3
I totally agree with the companionship aspect. My Nino is really precious. He was so happy to see me when I got back! Miss you Helen!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Peace Corps is a pet-friendly occupation (some are not, you know). Enjoy your blessings! Mrs. H.
ReplyDeleteI believe I heard that indescribable
ReplyDeletecat sound a few times from the famous Crumpet! Glad you have pets---they make the world a lovely place no matter what! Aunt B