Lessons from a Cat

          Pets are becoming increasingly common in Canadian households (about 68% of homes have either a cat or a dog), often replacing a human co-habitant.  Clearly, former reasons for not having a pet – the cost, the cleaning, the allergies affected, the responsibility while away – are yielding to the reasons for having a pet.  These could include their value as companions, their utilitarian value (mice-catches, guard dogs, seeing-eye dogs, etc.), and their financial value (as pure-bred breeders, show animals, etc.). 

            But as the value of having a human co-habitant normally exceeds this list, there must be more to it. My theory is that where human relationships are complicated, establishing a loving reciprocal relationship with a pet is simple, or, at least, simpler.  Feed it water it, help it with its hygiene and medical issues, take it for walks, give it a warm mat at night and frequent bouts of attention (more depending on the species), and you will be rewarded by shiny coats, bright eyes and a crateful of life lessons.

            As Sigmund Freud discovered, noting that“time with a cat is not wasted”, there is much our four-legged friends teach us.  They show us how to:

          1. Accept Yourself. Animals are content with who they are, and quite unconflicted about their role.  A cat is a cat, a dog is a dog, and remain unflinchingly so no mater how shamelessly we stereotype                    their behaviour.  “Yes, we are compulsive groomers and sleepers,” yawns the cat, and, “Yes, I’ll be either drooling or bringing you my leash,” wags the dog.  There’s nothing else they would rather be, or feel they should be doing.  Joining the rat race would be antithetical to who they are.  They’re not rats.

         2. Be happy. A pet’s uncomplicated disposition precludes the usual psychological barriers to happiness.  Post pet chow, it’s all just a matter of leaping headlong into the adventure. When there are birds or balls to chase, lakes to swim, fireplaces to warm up beside,  massages to stretch into, what exactly is there not to like?  Our pets guilelessly embody santosha (the Sanskirt word for the acceptance of oneself and one’s environment or circumstances as they are), a state of being that takes their humans years of yogic practice to attain.

          3. Spend time in nature. Follow an animal and it will lead you to where the water is freshest, the grass the sweetest, the views the most catching, the light and warmth the most natural.  Listen to what they hear, see what they see and your world will grow a few sizes larger.  They are a conduit to healthy living for us and for our children, and ultimately, our canaries in the coalmine.

          4. Keep calm and carry on. Life’s trials, for an animal, are meant to be born heroically. Their tendency to seek out quiet places, to retreat, and either heal themselves through rest or quietly accept ‘que sera, sera’ is one of an animals most noble traits.  It makes you determined not to flinch at the drill when you’re at the dentist, and cheerfully get out the Scrabble board those times you’re hunkering down in a tent in the rain.

           5. Mind your manners. Well, OK, this usually involves a little human intervention, but they are           quick studies and can show remarkable restraint when the situation demands it or when                        gratification is delayed. They are known to endure hunger, thirst and discomfort with a patience that gives us human sufferers of LFT (low frustration tolerance) pause.

           6. Show your gratitude. An animal knows its feeder, its rescuer from the rain, its warm-blooded companion and protector at night, its patient decipherer of animal-speak.  And it is inclined to become singularly attached to that person, forever.  And its love is given without the usual list of  conditions, other than expecting you will be a reliable source of food and kindness.  We are never left wondering ‘where the relationship is at’ with our pets.  It’s good, it’s 100%, and given that the animal is also quick to forgive, it’s hallowed as well.

                 I’m sure, in addition be being happy, well-mannered, quiet, scrupulously clean,  uncomplaining and warmly appreciative of all we do for them, that you’ve noticed other ways pets show us what means a well-lived-and-loved life. With these tiny Buddhas underfoot, should we surprised at the spike in pet ownership?