The Art of Cat Possibilities

What is one way you have grown this year?

This year, I am growing into this art of cat possibilities. I am teaching our indoor cat Max how to walk on a leash. Wow, is he teaching me too. It’s a lesson in patience, observation, and being with nature.

We went camping overnight recently, and Max absolutely loved being outdoors. Friends said he was the calmest they’d ever seen him. He and I went for short walks there, slept together in my car, and that’s when it finally sank in. He’s ready to walk the streets with me, and so am I.

Being so little and living next to a busy street, I don’t feel comfortable letting him roam the neighborhood free-range. It’s possible I love him a bit too much to lose him. Still, this new art of cat-walking has become a near-daily activity.

We smell trees together. When he gets stressed by barking dogs, I pick him up and we move forward until the road is calm. So many beautiful moments pass between us.

I’m certain we’ll both keep adjusting to our time outdoors. I’m watching him, learning who he is, why he stops, his breathing. When he lies down, I give him time to take it all in without pulling him.

It’s a way, not my way, and his learning isn’t on my timetable. People stop and stare; some roll down their windows to say, “I love that!” I do too. He’s amazing.

Three kids at the playground today were in awe and came over to pet Max. He’s very friendly with strangers. Me? I love kids. Adults… I’ve learned to be careful there. Humans are funny like that.

Anyway, that’s part of my day and a reflection of one thing I’m learning this year. There are so many more lessons yet to be finished. Perhaps there is no finish line anyway, and it sure isn’t a race here. Sure, we are the “human race,” but life is going at my pace, which is a slow crawl with repeat stops to smell, climb, high-five and hug the trees.