Hiya Max, it’s us again. I’ve been wanting to write and say thanks you for your good advices back 2 months ago when my sisfur Winky went to the Rainbow Bridge – we all thought you gave us some good ideas on how we could feel better and how to help makes the Mom feel better too. But the Mom was so sad she wasn’t leaving her iPad out much.
The problem is this. I would sit with the Mom whenever she sat in her special lay-back chair, the one where she sleeps most of the time cause of her sore back. I like to sit on her chest and make biscuits on her face and she talks to me when I do that, mostly just silly stuff about how cute I am – like I don’t already know, and how I was helping the big hole in her heart. But for a couple of weeks, before Santy Claws came, she kept asking me if I wanted a new baby!! I was shocked! I mean, I tried to tell her she’s way too old for that sticky people stuff, and we sure don’t need any of those, and Buddy and Honey said she was asking them if they wanted a baby too!
Well, Max, she got a baby the week before Santy Claws, a BABY KITTY!!! We don’t think we needed one of those, either! He looks a lot like our Winky, but the Mom keeps saying that Toby is a “rescue” and we have lots do love to share with him. I’m still not sure, even though he is 8 months old so he’s not too little and he does play THoE really good. I know how you feel about Buddah now… help!!
Now, keep in mind I feel about Buddah the way I feel because when he came to live with us he brought cooties, and those cooties nearly killed me. I know he didn’t do it on purpose, but it sure didn’t help me to think him being here was a good idea. Intellectually I know it wasn’t his fault, but deep down I never got over it. So I think he’s a giant dootihead.
But your Toby? He could be a very good thing, if you just give him a chance. People are odd creatures, and sometimes that cat-shaped hole in their hearts can only be filled by another cat. And because the edges around that hole are a little rough, it needs to be a small kitty, one who can worm its way into that hole without making any rips or tears, and as he grows bigger he just fills it completely, and his furs cushion the sore spots until they heal over.
Your mom’s heart probably needed Toby to fill that hole, and Toby needed to be rescued, so they’re really helping each other. Now I won’t lie to you—having a baby kitty around can be a real pain in the asterisk. It changes your life, not just your mom’s. But I swear, you’ll get used to Toby, and you might even come to think he’s your favorite toy. Chances are in a while you’ll look back and wonder how you ever lived without him. But even if you don’t, if he’s like Buddah and you just put up with him, it’s okay. You’ll learn to live together, and sometimes you’ll have glorious games of THoE and will eat delicious noms right next to each other, and with any luck…you can blame him for EVERYTHING.
For now…give him some head bonks and thank him for helping to heal your mom’s heart. There’s time later to lay the smack down on him if you need to. And trust me, you’ll find a reason to, even if it’s just because. He’s the little brother. Laying the smack down on him will be your divine right.
See? Another good thing!
Max, this is the human writing this. I asked you what to feed my kitty that would help him gain weight and you helped a lot! Well, he saw the stabby guy and we found out that he has either severe inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. Neither is curable! How can I prepare myself for him crossing the Bridge? Is there something a kitty would really love to make his days more comfortable and happy for what time he does have? He is eating and has medicine but we decided not to put him through the inside biopsy due to too many risks involved. Thanks Max!
Beth
Chances are, you’re already doing everything he needs and wants to make his time left with you pretty freaking sweet. Let him eat the things he loves to eat, give him chin skritches and tummy rubs when he wants, and tell him what a good boy he’s always been and how pretty he is.
Really. Boy kitties are pretty, too, and we like to hear it.
I’m not really sure what you can do for yourself to prepare for the day he needs to go to the Bridge. It’s going to suck on about 32 different levels, not gonna lie about that. But you’ll also know, without a doubt, that you gave him the most wonderful life and that he always, always felt loved and wanted and needed, and that he loved you right back with all of his furry little heart. And when it hurts, just remember that where he went he’s having an awesome time with as many buddies as he wants to hang with, and he’s going to have an awesome time forever, while he waits for you.
I think that’s what you hold onto; you know that he’ll be waiting there for you and even though he doesn’t want to see you there anytime soon, when he does he’s going to wet himself with joy, because you’re bringing to him the only thing he can’t have at the Bridge…you.
You know I think the Bridge is wonderous and special and it’s a place to look forward to. Your little guy has something incredible in front of him. Tuck that into that space in your brain and in your heart that you can reach when you need to. But until then, just enjoy the bejeebers out of having him with you, and with any luck and a little grace, he’ll fool you and be here for a long, long time.
I hope so, I truly do.
You might also like:
Ask Max Monday: I Believe I Can Fly…Come On, Sing It With Me!
Ask Max Monday: Don’t Lick a Bellybutton, Either
Ask Max Monday: Own the Stink, Dood
Ask Max Monday: Midnight Noms
Ask Max Monday: When In Doubt, POOF
The post Ask Max Monday: The Holes in a People’s Heart appeared first on Cat Lifestyle: Mousebreath Magazine.