I'm sitting here crying because one of those damn Humane Society commericals just came on. I couldn't grab the remote fast enough and was subjected to images & videos of suffering animals.I don't fault the Humane Society for showing these commercials...however un pleasant, they know they're eliciting a gut-wrenching response from us.
These commercials not only sadden, but anger me. How could someone possibly mistreat an animal? They don't understand why they're being mistreated. I imagine it's confusing. I think people that say animals don't have similar feelings to humans, are sorely mistaken. I'm not saying they sit there and contemplate their wardrobes, but I'm almost certain they feel abandonment, shame, hurt, loss & fear.
I have a cat named Jake, who I'm convinced is bipolar. I "adopted" him when he was about 5-6 weeks old.
Jake vs Sista's hand.
He even looked like a shit then.
Jake is an interesting cat, to say the least. I am told by many that I should write a book about him one day. Every time I explain how crazy he is, I get response much like, "Oh, yah, my cat is crazy too."
NO, your cat isn't crazy. You haven't seen crazy till you have met Jake.
He was a spunky kitten. He was given dumped at the vet clinic where my Sis still currently works...the Pet Store that often had their kittens vaccinated by her clinic said he was the runt, sick & not gaining any weight. Thus, they left him with the clinic. Maybe they considered him "unsellable?" All it took was some regular feedings & IV fluid. The little dude perked right up...and thus Sarah convinced me to adopt him. They'd actually named him Charlie. Keep in mind this is back in 03'.... prior to Twilight. I liked Charlie, still do, but he looked much more like a Jake to me.
Fast forward a year or so...he had always been more cuddly than I was used to in a cat, but also more aggressive. He had a penchants for stalking me around the apartment. I thought it was just his kitten phase. I bought him more toys, let him outside to burn off energy...all to no avail. He slept in the crook of my arm, or across my neck (no doubt trying to suffocate me) at night.... And yet I'd be in the middle of getting ready for work, doing my hair and he'd latch on to my leg for no apparent reason. And he wouldn't just bite, he'd sink his teeth as if he was going for the bone. The older he got, the scarier it/he became. I ended up having to get a tetanus shot and go on two rounds of antibiotics for his bites. Why didn't I just get right of him? Well....it was much like what I imagine an abusive relationship to be. He loved me, was affectionate...but would turn on me with no warning. After turning on me, it's as if it never happened. He'd seek affection, almost as if apologizing for his outburst.
Once DG and I talked about moving in together, I was at my wits end with Jake. I didn't know how I was going to subject another individual to his madness....so I researched animal behaviorists. The first one I met with was afraid of him, said she'd never seen a cat stalk a human, & the second one I consulted with (via the humane society) said he probably had a screw loose & thus wasn't adoptable. I felt lost. I loved that little fucker, but knew he wasn't safe. Now I'm not a big supporter of medicating children, or animals for that matter...but it was finally suggested to me by my Sisters vet to try medicating him with something that is similar to a anti-depression drug for humans...This medicine is often used for dogs that act out and on cats that pee everywhere. I figured it was worth a try.
Fast forward 6 years and he's still on the meds. Sure, you still dont want to be the bearer of his "weird moods," but he doesn't all out attack me for no reason anymore...unless of course I antagonize him. He's also developed a very submissive relationship with DG. DG being the dominator. He's not allowed in our room, mainly because DG is allergic...but DG adores him just as much as I do. And I thank gawd everday that DG was willing to put up with him, despite the circumstances. I don't know if it's the combination of the meds & another male, but he's much more tolerable.
Point of the story...I didn't give up on him...despite the fact I "used to be" more of a dog person.
Here are some pics of the BIG shit:
One of my favorite photos/quotes:
Side note: I love dogs....I just don't have one because I live in a condo and I don't feel I have the time to devote. One day soon I hope!
XO J
Please donte if you can.
