LIFE WITH CHEETOH

BY: LASHAWN GARNES, CAT GUARDIAN (TMC CONTRIBUTOR)

Cheetoh is a feline of peculiar patience, or should I say lack thereof. He insists on having my undivided attention. Curls up near my feet, reaches up with one paw so that I may stop what I’m doing to pet him.

Petting him requires me to set aside time to give him a massage around his neck, stroke the left and right side of his cheeks and brushing his coat from the top of his head all the way down to his tail bone. Cheetoh then falls to his right side into a relaxed spread out position in which he experiences a moment of ecstasy. His eyes squint with approval.

Cheetoh can see the unseen—spirits. It’s quite fascinating to see my cat look up, turn his head left and right then up and down, followed by a sprint down the hallway, running away into the kitchen or into the living room. He watches the spirits in the house go about their day, existing with us. How do I know that they are spirits? Well, a breeze is in the air when they are around. The spirits like to tease Cheetoh around the house playing hide and seek. Cheetoh is doing the hiding, which is funny to see. Having the spirits step in has been beneficial to me while I’m on a work conference call or when I desperately need to go to sleep because they are able to wear Cheetoh out. Then, he eventually finds a cozy spot in the living room and falls asleep.

Cheetoh loves to chat, especially at night or when I’m on the phone with someone. He speaks with conviction and authority, that what he is saying at that very moment is all that matters. Nothing more. He needs an audience, after all that’s what caregivers are for, right? Cheetoh can be demanding as well. Especially, when I don’t give into his request to be fed or when his litter box is not to his liking. Cheetoh is a feline that knows what he wants and conveys it with class.

I, the caregiver, have learned one valuable lesson, the importance of nonverbal communication from my feline Cheetoh.  Sitting in silence looking at me, studying my behavior and habits around the house. Having Cheetoh in my life is a reminder of how I need to be mindful of human beings. It’s not only what they are communicating to me but what they are not saying, yet doing. A great example of various communication skills that exist. Yet, we manage to get on with life smoothly in balance. I’m fortunate to have a cat that is excellent, in his own way, in communicating with me, his caregiver, who speaks an entirely different language. Somehow, Cheetoh and I make a great team!