Amazing!

Shiro and Gallahad are two cats who have moved into my place as temporary residents. They will be moving out in about two months but in the meantime, they are learning to cope with a new environment and it hasn’t been easy for all of us.

Shiro, the white Persian is a beauty and she knows it. She loves lovely scents, loves being a girl, but she also loves clean toilets! Some of her time is spent finding a clean litterbox and taking refuge in it! So, I have to clean her up twice a day. Gallahad, the British long-haired cat with the orange eyes is quiet and observes the world as it goes by. He looks menacing but is a sweetheart with a gentle way about him. They are brother and sister. I think he is the bigger brother and she, the younger sister. They watch out for each other.

A few weeks ago someone told me that cats are not humans. I agree they are not humans but it is incredible the human traits they possess and sometimes, they do one better than humans!

I observed this behavioral trait yesterday. Galli is always hungry. He is all about the food and he loves me because I’m his “food lady.” Whenever he gets hungry, he looks for me, rubs up against my leg, and purrs up a storm. Those love-filled orange eyes always get me and it did the same yesterday. We went downstairs and I got his favorite pack of food. Yes, they are spoiled rotten and now, they are into gourmet food! Anyway, I opened the pack and turned around to put it in his bowl when Shiro showed up. She was hungry as well. I emptied the food into Galli’s bowl. He headed towards it when Shiro cut in front and proceeded to eat from his bowl. I thought Galli would try to push her away but I watched in amazement as he stood right next to her and watched as she chomped away! He did not push, he did not shove, he just waited patiently.

After she had eaten, she placed a kiss on his cheek, he kissed her cheek back and then proceeded to eat what was left in the bowl. I was amazed at Galli’s behavior and the tenderness he showed his little sister. Just for being the little gentleman he is, he got an extra pack of food and a kiss on his forehead.

Animals have many layers to them. Some may see them as “just” animals and nothing more but if you observe them, you will see the subtle nuances that make them stand out, ones that make you look at them with different eyes as I did.