Unconditional love
posted: Jun 10, 11:28 PM
Chloe, my cat, must think humans are somewhat odd. She probably is finding life rather out of balance at the moment. Chloe has always appreciated a quiet, predictable environment. In fact, she gives new meaning to “it’s all about me”. No one is this house moves without considering how change might affect her psyche.
She has been on anti-depressants twice. The first time this happened she was quite entertaining. She’d collapse on the wicker arm chair in the kitchen and pass out. Nothing moved her. Not even Kadin trying to wake her up by putting her head in his mouth! I was the one stressed out by this maneuver! She was quickly relocated to a more restful location.
Her initial introduction to the world of happy pills was due to our lack of cat happiness awareness. We upgraded her kitty litter. You would think she would have taken this in the spirit in which we intended the gift, but no, she liked the cheap stuff.
The second time was more anxiety provoking. She sampled some unknown “stuff” which we believed to be poisonous. We took her to the after hours vet hospital and they pumped her stomach. Believe me, she was not happy! Chloe is a “tuxedo” cat (you know, black and white). She likes her whites white! The charcoal wasn’t working on her wardrobe.
The vet wanted to keep her for observation, so she was moved to the local vet hospital. She wasn’t crazy about her accommodations. Miss Chloe has high standards, hospital cages are the Motel 6 of her world! It got to the stage where she was refusing to eat. The vet was worried and I was thinking I’d need happy pills. This cat and I have been through a lot together. We’re bonded.
Kadin was none too happy while she was gone either. 
He had no one to curl up and snooze with, no one to keep him company while he scavenged for snacks from the dinner table. His balance was tippy.
I brought Chloe home, bearing happy pills (for the cat), directions on what to pay attention to and lots of worries about her well being. The minute Miss Chloe was carried in the door she started to revive. I guess she likes the her duvets, her pillows, her own accessories…
She had us just where she wanted us. We were/are putty in her hands. I think it was a plot hatched with Kadin to ensure a peaceful and comfortable life. Our neighbor started baby sitting for us when we were away. He became wrapped a round the big and tiny paws too.
I should tell you at this stage that Kadin did not like change either. He hated the car. Passionately. He had to have sedatives to travel. Acevet. Wonderful stuff. He highly recommends this to fellow dogs who hate any means of transportation which doesn’t involve paws.
Just once we boarded him at a Doggy Hotel. He liked the idea until he realized we were leaving. We liked the idea until we realized he was upset. Those dog boarding people need to throw in family therapy!
So…this is why Poppy always looked after Chloe and Kadin for us. He loved the time with them and they loved being with him. Chloe likes to visit him at his house. Unfortunately, she will often forget it’s good to be invited into the house and has set of the burglar alarm on occasion. Poppy is very forgiving.
Kadin, our dog, died six weeks ago. I can not begin to describe how much I miss him. When I think about the gap he has left in my life, however, I have to recognize he has probably left an even bigger gap in Chloe’s life.
Siberian Huskies are considered by many to be too in touch with their roots. This is my “polite” way of saying their instincts are to eliminate small animals. Given, the mice who must have sauntered by Kadin every evening (don’t even get me started) I suspect he missed the predatory gene.
He and Chloe use to curl up and sleep in front of the fire. When he got a little full of his own importance Chloe would address his nose with a claw. Often much more gently than he deserved. She was very patient with him. He in turn used to protect her from the over abundance of cats next door. We have Poppy on one side and the house with the 13 cats on the other. That’s another don’t get me started!
Chloe has little protection against the other cats. They are making our garden their home away from home. Fortunately for Chloe they have difficulty climbing. I know I’m being judgmental, but if there was Weight Watchers for cats they could do with signing up.
Now, there is no click 
of Kadin’s claws on the floors; there is no 95 pound fur ball tearing into the kitchen, sliding on his furry paw pads as he rushes to see if anyone left a treat in his bowl. There is no peaceful presence sleeping by my feet while I read a book. No big, furry, bundle of joy expressing his joy to have his humans home. I miss him leaning against me while I watch the stars come out and the bats fly across the backyard. I miss him.