Saturday, June 26, 2021

A Forgiving Cat

It always surprises me how forgiving a cat can be. As readers may recall, Neville develops mats in his fur, especially along his back and rear. This necessitates cutting them out. I have begun using an electric hair-trimmer for this task. It is effective and the result, if not pretty, is satisfactory.

But the process is far from satisfactory for the Nevsky. He finds it uncomfortable and dislikes the whole event. I have to shift his position several times and, though he remains static for most of the time, his patience eventually wears thin, and I must hold him in place.

Yet afterward, he holds no grudge. Whether or not he feels better for my efforts, and whether or not he associates any improved comfort with them, I can’t say. Today, after shearing bits of him in the bathroom, I sat on the sitting room couch with a glass of cold bubbly water. I asked if Neville, lying near by, wanted to join me, and he did.

He and I had a good half-hour of me rubbing his face and chin and him purring. I stick needles in him twice a day, I poke his ears numerous times once a month; I try to prompt him to play when he doesn’t want to and attempt to give him food to vary a diet he doesn’t seem to want varied. Yet he still will sit with me and allow me to make us both feel good.

Nev is a forgiving soul.





15 comments:

  1. I think cats realize when we're trying to help them, so while they may not like what we do, they'll put up with it. Meanwhile, Neville looks like he's loving every minute of his massage.

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  2. Neville knows that you love him, no matter how difficult those things are for you both. You two have a special relationship.

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  3. I call that unconditional love. He is a special kitty for sure!

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  4. He's lovely!x
    Like a few other followers, l have
    a soft spot for Neville..He's a loving
    soul to..! :).

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  5. I agree, Neville understands that you love him and are doing your best to help him feel better. He's a wonderful mancat, John. ♥

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  6. Neville is such a handsome fellow. Maybe he also and doors hair trimming so that he can impress Portia. For you the best news is he's very affectionate towards you. All all the purrs him time spent sitting right beside you.

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  7. Good on you Nev. Mum has to get my trouser pants area trimmed at the vets every year or too if I get mats. I feel your pain.

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  8. Neville would never do that if he didn't trust you. I think he is a very VERY special mancat. Anyone would be blessed to have him as theirs. He and Raleigh have always tugged my heart strings. They are and were, the most fortunate of cats to have you as their dad.

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  9. Cats know when they're loved, so if their humans occasionally have to do things they don't like, they can cope with that.

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  10. The Nev is such a sweetie! He's so fortunate to have you as his foster dad and enjoying the "life of Riley"!!!

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  11. He is such a good boy. He knows that what you do is for his benefit even though he may not like it at the time.

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  12. He is such a lovely cat. Both in looks and personality.

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  13. He is such a sweet fellow and we know he trusts and loves you. He may not like it but he allows his treatments which prove that. Purrs Neville my main man-cat!
    Angel Timmy Tomcat

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