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Love Comes in Small Packages 7/21/2005 9:19:53 AM
You can learn do much from animals when you take the time to watch, play, and become their friend. My wife and I recently adopted two Devon Rex kittens and are learning again that love can come in small packages. I don't know if you are familiar with this breed of cat but they are just as we call them "purr buckets". They are always with us in fact one in on my lap as I write this article. He is sleeping very comfortably, purring as he sleeps, and setting an example that I wish we as humans could emulate.
I've always been a dog person with my faithful companion always at my side. I never thought I would become a cat person because my experience with cats in the past has been that aloof personality which some cats exude. We had a cat many years ago and she was not a friendly variety but became very angry as she got older. I always felt it was because she was a cat but now understand that most of her problems were generated by living with people who did not understand a cat's needs or desires.
I've learned many things since I adopted these little wonders. I've learned how important it is to live in the moment, to appreciate a meal, and to see wonder in an ice cube floating in a bowl of water. I've seen superior concentration as one of my kittens watched a bug crawl across my sunroom floor or try and catch the cursor on my computer screen. I marvel at how each new thing they see becomes a curiosity only to be understood not feared.
Then there is this thing called love. I've read articles telling me that a cat only functions on instinct and does not really have emotions. Well, I feel that theory has been blasted out of the water as my Devon Rex prefers to sit on my lap, follow me around, or looks at me and gives me one of his silent meows as he nudges me with his cheek or nibbles my chin with affection. We see what we want to see not only in animals but in people too. We react with scripted fears or warmth and we become who we are by learning from each encounter we have with the unknown.
I've learned some things from my little friends. I've learned that when its time to sleep I'm going to sleep. When its time to play I'm going to play. When its time to love I'm going to love. When its time to wonder about the little things I'm going to spend the time in wonder. When its time to fear I'm going to remember the wonder, the joy, the moments of pleasure that being alive brings to me and move into that space where peace dwells and love abides.
