What have my cats taught me?

So there I was.

3am.  This morning.

Wide awake.  I didn't need to be awake for two more hours.

Minnie, as is her habit, woke up, walked right into my face, gave me a rub, a purr, and a soft MEOW, and jumped down to snack on some of her dry food.  After a  quick trip to her litter box, she jumped back on the bed and curled up on my side under my right arm.

Whatever stress that may have caused me to wake up so early was, at least for the moment, gone, replaced by a smile and happy thoughts of my little former stray girl.

It got me to thinking.

What can our cats teach us?  What have my cats, and two decades of cat ownership, taught me?

Plenty.  So much, in fact, that I thought it would make a great little blog post.

So, from Tyler to Minnie, here's what my cats have taught me.

1. Tyler.

Tyler, my first cat, taught me so much.  First and foremost, Tyler taught me about love.  What love really means, and what true love is and when to recognize it.  Tyler taught me how to live on my own, how to rely on myself, and how to be independent.

Tyler taught me that it was OK to be alone sometimes, and how to learn to love myself.

Tyler taught me that, when it comes down to it, that there really is no love greater than the love of a good cat.  That bond between cat and person that nothing can ever tear apart.

Tyler taught me that.

He also taught me how to appreciate "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis in a whole new light.

I am forever grateful for what Tyler taught me, and so much more.

2. Tiger.

Tiger taught me that just because you're up there in years, doesn't mean you're done living, learning, and loving.  He was, at 6, the oldest cat I have ever adopted.  He taught me to appreciate quality over quantity too.  After all, we only spent a little over 4 years together, and I as I often say, I wouldn't have missed my time with Tiger for the world. 

He also taught me that sometimes it's best to let a friendship go if it isn't fulfilling.  Case in point: I had a friend that I'd known since 9th grade. We were the best of friends for over 20 years, but by the time Tiger came to live with me, our friendship was very much running it's course, for reasons I don't feel like boring you with. One day, that friend came to my apartment to hang out and do whatever it was we had planned.  This was a decade ago, don't expect me to recall every detail.  Anyway, 20 minutes in, I was in the other room and hear:

"Uh....Dan......your cat took a shit at my feet."

"WHAT?"

Sure enough, Tiger took a big steaming dump right at his feet.  

Point taken Tiger.  Thank you.

3. Jackson.

Oh my Jackson, I can write a whole book on what he taught me.  Most importantly, he taught me to be strong, to fight for what I believe in, and to never give up.  No matter what the odds.  

After all, no cat was braver, or fought harder, than Jackson.  You all know that.  From bravely overcoming major bladder surgery to bravely fighting the stomach cancer that eventually took him from me, Jackson fought bad genetics and gave it his all.

He also taught me the power of a GOOD cat nap.

Miss you, sweetums.

4. Sophie.

Sophie.  Meet the new boss, not the same as the old boss.  Sorry, Pete Townshend.   

Sophie taught me that in many ways, female cats are better than male cats.  After all, she is the first female cat I ever adopted.  

Sophie taught me so much about female cats, and I am grateful for how effortlessly she assumed Tyler's old alpha cat role.  

Sophie taught me that sometimes it takes a while for things to work out.  She taught me patience, and to be patient, something I am still not the best at. 

She also taught me how to savor a good meal, after all, she loves, LOVES to eat!

5. Tucker.

Tucker.  My Tuck-Man.  Tuck Tuck Goose.  Tuck the Duck. 

Tucker taught me, and continues to teach me, how to savor life.  How to appreciate each day, and try, emphasis on TRY, to live each day to the fullest, even if you stay home and are lazy.  Tucker taught me that each day is a gift, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.  I mean, look what happened to Tucker!  One day he was a shelter cat, the only life he ever knew.  A bit sad, a bit lonely. The next day he and I found each other, and a year and a half later Tucker is enjoying the house cat life!

Tucker is the happiest male cat in the world, and he never forgets to let me know, each and every day, how happy he is.

He continues to teach me, just by being him.  

6. Minnie.

Minnie, or as Ashley likes to call her, the Min-sti-gator.

Minnie taught me, or reminded me, to trust in fate.  To trust in destiny.  

To trust that things happen for a reason, and what is meant to be, is meant to be.  

Minnie was meant to be MY cat.  Minnie was meant to find my front door at the back of the house our apartment is in.  

Minnie was meant to loudly proclaim that she will now be, forever more, my cat.

She did, and that's exactly what happened.

As it was meant to be. 

Minnie continues to try and teach me how to not stop being silly and goofy from time to time either.  

She excels at both.

Cats teach us more than we realize.  

What have your cats taught you?