Freddy's routine is reliable. He wakes with the radiators in the morning and bakes upon them on and off throughout the day such that he has dandruff all over his tail. He watches the clock and knows the time for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner precisely. He loves to drink from the bathtub faucet so that we turn it on for him just right as we get ready for bed. He sleeps curled up next to me each night, waiting until I have put down my book and turned off the lights to settle in. If I move, he regroups, inching closer again to my legs for we must touch.
Freddy loves to play with a pompom or a piece of string. He has a fetish for boxes and baskets and bags. He takes great pride in stalking prey whether a bug that has invaded NOLD or any form of wildlife outside the windows and doors. Such a sighting causes his tail to twitch and growls to emanate from deep down in his throat. In the summer, the neighbor cats often come to taunt him through the screens for he is an indoor cat, one who must enter a closed door as soon as it is opened to inspect and insure that all is well.
A rescue cat, Freddy has a fear of strangers, particularly men with loud, deep voices. As soon as the doorbell rings, Freddy makes a mad dash for the basement, where he has a secret hiding place within the far reaches of the crawl space beneath NOLD. Yet, Freddy never fails to snuggle my girls with an abiding affection, reminding me this is just how he chose us at the SPCA almost eight years ago.
What I find most remarkable of all is this: Freddy believes the sun shines for him. No matter how hot the day, Freddy will stretch out or curl up in a swath of sunshine and sleep for hours. His fur glistens. When you pet him, he is hot beneath your touch and his eyes close in complete contentment and comfort.
Freddy reminds me to appreciate an ordinary day and to note the most reliable and remarkable of all events, the rising and setting of the sun. Its light and warmth remain my most constant companion on a snow-filled day in early February such as this.
The
Cats
Ann Iverson
To find such glory in a dehydrated pea
on the tile between the stove and fridge.
To toss the needs of others aside
when you simply aren't in the mood for affection.
To find yourselves so irresistible.
And always in a small spot of sun,
you sprawl and spread out the pleasure of yourselves
never fretting, never wanting to go back
to erase your few decisions.
To find yourself so remarkable
all the day long.
