Question of the Day - Are Pets Really Toys?

They offered me to take in a cat yesterday. I don’t think I can, yet. It doesn’t feel right.

The poor soul needs a home but I still have the presence of Cat lurking in the corners of mine. I keep seeing her. Until she’s there, I’m not ready for a new companion. It’s way too soon.

This cat – it’s a year old Persian boy - was given up by his family. And his tale made me boil with anger.

Children, there’s three of them, wanted a pet. Parents got them a cat. I could just bet there was some serious whining and persuasion before parents agreed to buy such an expensive pedigree cat.

A year later, kids change their minds and suddenly don’t want to take care of the cat anymore. Too much trouble, you see. Toys are not supposed to be trouble. Persians require grooming, special care and whatnot.

And what do parents do? They give him up. Worse, the mother brought the cat to her work and asked people if someone wanted him. She doesn’t even intend to take him back home anymore.

These parents do not talk to the kids about responsibility, they don’t do any parenting job, and they don’t even consider taking care of the cat by themselves. They just get rid of a pest that previously much desired pet has turned into.

People, please! Whatever happened to the elemental morals? Pets cannot take care of themselves. We are the ones who domesticated them and, therefore, are responsible for them! Yes, I understand that everybody has to work for living but taking care of a cat is not so time-consuming! A half an hour a day would do. Even less on really busy days. I know. I had a cat just last week.

The habitual cruelty and inconsideration people so often show towards animals is unbelievable. Animals might not be able to talk but they do feel things. They understand things. And they hurt. They are not pieces of furniture you can throw out if you don’t like the colour scheme anymore. Yes, there really was a story like that behind a cat given away to the animal shelter in Riga. She hadn't matched the new colour scheme after re-decoration, and the proud owners threw her out. Such attitude disgusts me.

Thankfully, I’m absolutely sure this Persian will find a new home in no time. He’s a well-behaved pedigree cat with all the papers, and there are a lot of people who find it desirable. He’ll be snatched up in a minute. Or at least I really, really hope so. If not… we’ll see.

I’m one of those strange people who consider pets their friends. And somehow I have a feeling he or she will come when the time’s right. It’s what usually happens in my life. Things just happen when the time is right. That’s what Cat did, after all. She just showed up one day, and moved in with me.

I keep thinking about that little corner where I buried her. A nice, sunny spot on the fringe of a forest, clearly visible from my friend’s house. Among pine-trees and under hyacinths, violets and sun-flowers. Yes, I did plant flowers for her, I’m melodramatic like that. And previously mentioned friend (who owns the house and, along with two more friends, helped me bury Cat) made us throw three handfuls of sand in her little grave. It’s a tradition performed in Latvian funerals. So there. I’m not the only one sentimental.

Other news - I'm starting to smile again.

April 22, 2008

So here it is. My Cat went to the cat Heaven this Saturday. She was my companion for 12 blessed years.

Cat got ill 2 weeks ago; I took her to the vet. Verdict – she’s not curable but it’s possible to alleviate or even stabilize her condition. Renal insufficiency is like that.

So we did what we could. I dragged in all my family and friends for help. She had to have a drip feed every night, and somebody would always come to help me hold her still for the procedure. No cat likes to be still against their will for longer then two minutes. Wasn’t easy, but they never complained. Did I mention I love my family and friends dearly? They agreed to help me without a second’s hesitation.

So went the last week.

She started to eat on Wednesday, and I was so, so happy. It looked like she’s decided to live after all. She even didn’t put up much fight when it was time for her shots and medicine. I thought she might be feeling better.

My friends took us to visit the vet on Saturday. He said she’s making progress and told me to come back in a week with strict instructions about the treatment. Suffice to say, I was ecstatic.

And then, on our way home, she suddenly got restless and was having trouble breathing, and then went into seizures. We turned back while I was having frantic consultation with the vet. Well, it was too late. In ten minutes Cat was dead. Just like that. In my arms.

Apparently, her little heart was not strong enough for all the stress she went through. I don’t really understand all medical particulars.

I know my Cat died. I know I’m sad, and miserable, and devastated. And I miss her very, very much. I guess that’s all that matters. It was her time to go, and all I can do is get used to a life with no Cat in it.

Is it weird to feel such loss over a pet?

I hadn’t realized how much my daily life was adjusted to the presence of Cat. With my every step, I checked, and double-checked. I was constantly considering everything from a cat-safe aspect.

Could she possibly get stuck under the closet? Could she force herself through that tiny opening, and suffocate? Could she steal the chicken from the table, and over-eat, and vomit all over the place? Does she have enough water or food; is her kitten litter fresh enough?

Would she be alright if I’m away from home for whole three days? Should I request someone to come and check on her?

Has she had enough vitamins? Is it time to sow grass for her?

Could she possibly be under my feet when I get up from the bed?

Did I leave the window open or closed? What if it’s open, and a storm breaks out – she doesn’t like thunder. She’d be alone, and scared. And if it’s closed – does she have enough fresh air?

The doors always had to be left open, to all rooms. She hated not being able to go as she pleases, and she was very vocal about it.

She loved to tear up important papers in tiny pieces. I had to go to the bank more then once to exchange ripped up bills. It was always so much fun for the clerks when I started the explanations.

I had to be careful where I leave my keys. She loved to snatch them, and play with them. As a result, they’d be jammed in a highly unpredictable place, and I’d spend a good hour looking for them. And she’d look all smug, and watch my frenzy search, and I’d be late yet again.

I’d always have to warn guests to watch out. She took it as her duty to bite or scratch everybody at least once. Yes, Cat wasn’t your average meek lap-cat. She was a fighter with strong opinions, and she wasn’t afraid to voice them.

She had a game where she’d try to escape out of the apartment. She’d bolt at the most unexpected moment and disappear down the stairs. The rules were that I was supposed to go look for her, chase her, and bring her back. It was a hilarious sight in the winter. She’d run out, all victorious, and sink into the snow. No cat likes wet and cold, my Cat was no exception. She’d bolt back inside and wait for me at the door, an indignant look on her little face. She clearly blamed the snow on me.

Here we go again. Snot and waterworks all over the place. I have to go collect myself. I’ll continue tomorrow if I still have more words to pour out.

Eastern 2008 - not the best time ever. Definitely.

Why, why was it snowing? What have I ever done to deserve this unnaturally cruel punishment?
In short - it was snowing, and cold, and couldn't leave house almost at all. This is sad.

Lieldienas 2008

How I went to Paris this weekend...

... only I didn't, not really. But I've got photos to prove me wrong anyway.

Bowling with colleagues

Boulings

Sea and other fine creations of nature

Jūra un citi dabas prieki

My family

Family

Happy Birthday to me!

Birthday

One Fine Friday Evening

I have a new camera! Panasonic Lumix FZ8.

One Fine Friday Evening

Out of my mind?

I think I’m out of my mind. The daily horoscope said I’d do something stupid today, and, true to the stars, the stupid thing I did.

I went to the Amazon.co.uk bookstore and ordered FIVE books at once for my vocation reading. And I don’t feel the least bit sorry about it, too. I’m so, so stupid. Especially if you consider the fact that only two days ago I bought new beautiful, wonderful, dreamy, lovable, stylish shoes for a price I couldn’t possibly afford. I tell you, I’m out of my mind.

What is it with women and shopping? I don’t really think men are shopping the way we – for some unexplainable reason - are bound to do. A woman cannot just stop at the end of her shopping list. She is compelled to go into the next store (or, as it was in my case, click the next button) to have a look around. And then she falls for that cute little something she couldn’t possibly live without. She buys it, is happy about her choice. And then the next store… or the next button. She arrives home with bags full of trinkets she could’ve very well dealt without. And her bank account is now in a pitiable state.

It is the never-ending bleak fatality of being the part of consumer culture. There are just so many nice things! And we want them all! No. We assure ourselves that we actually need them all; and we even degrade to extreme measures to get them. Them, more often than not, being meaningless things. It’s sad.

Is there any half-safe way to avoid this proverbial nightmare? I haven’t found one. If you have, please, I beg you, tell me about it. I want to reach this haven of indifference to mundane temptations, too.

Well, it could be worse. At least I tend to fall for books instead of shiny bijouterie or figurines of garden gnomes. That’d be really, really stupid.

Anyway, you’re probably wondering what I bought. You don’t? A shame, that, because I’ll blab anyway. Bear with me.

So, here they are:

1. "Lady Friday (The Keys to the Kingdom)" by Garth Nix; Paperback.

I wanted that one for a long time, having read the rest of the series. I hope it will be an enjoyable read.

2. "The Children of Hurin" by J.R.R. Tolkien; Hardcover

Do I really have to explain this one? Every self-respecting fantasy fan should be ready to kill to get this book. I can’t claim to be any different. Synopsis sounds very promising.

3. "Flora's Lot" by Katie Fforde; Paperback

This one’s entirely for fun. The essence of chick-lit. Besides, if I don’t like it, I have a friend who’s learning English. She likes chick-lit very much and will be pleased to have it. And synopsis was intriguing.

4. "Touch the Dark" by Karen Chance; Paperback

Spur of the moment decision. It was on the bestsellers’ list, and I liked reviews.

“This book came as a very good surprise. It's the story of Cassandra, a talented Clairvoyant raised by a Mobster/Vampire, that eventually is involved with more Vampires, Spirits, Mages and more. From the very first page you are immersed in the deeply involving story, the gripping writing style and by depth and originality of the characters, and such quality is maintained throughout the book.

Even if the story revolves around a few locations (four, to be exact), each is rendered memorable by the revelations and events that illuminate both the reader without interrupting the flow of events. The novel is very eventful, action packed, and eventually there is a satisfactory explanation behind every small action and event.”

Sounds convincing, don’t you agree? And I so love vampire fantasies with a bit of action.

5. "Raven's Gate (Power of Five)" by Anthony Horowitz; Paperback

Also from the bestsellers list. It’s the first in the series of five. I hope I won’t be disappointed. The first sentence of synopsis won me over: “A sinister story of the supernatural”.


Well.

To sum up, I probably could’ve done worse. Much worse if we remember that bit about the garden gnomes. And – this one probably escaped your notice – I’ll have a vocation soon! As in the end of next week soon! Hooray!

Weather forecast promised a storm tonight. Let’s hope there won’t be any power outage or such. It’s already raining, and the wind is really strong.