Feral cats, toys and love
The heart wants what the heart wants
I took my cat to the vet Saturday. It was “Caturday” — a day our vet sets aside just for cats.
This particular vet is sensitive to the needs of felines. They have two separate areas in their waiting room, one just for cats, so that kitties already miserable about being transported to the vet will not be made more miserable by dog drool and growlies.
In addition, every few months there is a Caturday. When my cat, Opal, needs her annual, I make sure to schedule on this day. She not only gets a dog free experience, she is sent home with a goodie bag full of treats. Most of these she is indifferent to, but there are always a couple of toys, and these she loves.
You see, Opal used to be a feral cat. She had no toys. She had no human love.
Now she is addicted to both.
I mentioned this to the vet when we were discussing Opal. The vet commented on how soft and plush her fur is, and then went on to say, “She’s so friendly! What a sweet girl.”
“It’s amazing given she was feral, isn’t it?” I said. “She was caught in a field and rescued by a farm lady who was going to use her for a barn cat. Then when she realized how friendly Opal is, I got her.”
“No, she wouldn’t make a good barn cat,” agreed the vet, as Opal gave her hand another head bump, wanting to be petted.
When visitors come to my house, Opal doesn’t hide under chairs. She comes right up to greet them and jumps into their lap. She loves people.
She also loves her toys. My last cat, Snoopy, had a few favorites but was mostly indifferent. Opal has only favorites. She hoards them and never seems to get enough. She is greedy for both toys and human love.
The heart wants what the heart wants, the heart of a cat no less desirous than any other. I am happy that Opal now purrs by my side while I write, her heart full and mine as well.
