Canadian author Charlotte Gray once said:

“After scolding one’s cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word.  And has filed it for reference.”

I happen to subscribe to that theory.  And so when I came upon Soleil and Elgin lounging together in what is supposed to be my spot on my bed I did absolutely nothing.  Well, except for take their picture.  And even then I had the feeling I would pay for it.  They looked perturbed and simply sat back.  I decided I could remake the bed later when they’d moved on to their second lounge spot of the day.  Cats are very civilized creatures and ours are outgoing and friendly as well.  Cats are also quiet and clean, but mischievous.  Elgin eats my flowers and Soleil chews my phone chargers; both of which are maddening.  And cats, like women, hold a grudge.  If I scold them Elgin gets even by shredding things (Burk refers to this as “interior decorating”) and Soleil scratches my pleather furniture.  The last two just make me want to weep.  People who do not love animals cannot understand why those of us who do endure it.  The simple answer is we do it for love.  We bear it for our love for them and for their love for us.  NOTHING for me beats being curled up with a cat in my lap and a good book.  So yes, our house has some cat hair here and there and we have had some “interior decorating.”  But their fur has absorbed my tears, their purrs have lulled me to sleep, and their meows greet me every morning (admittedly to wake up and feed them).  For as much as I have rescued them they have rescued me.  And the cats sat back.