Dear Fisher,
My name is Monte and I have to tell you, I am just not all that happy to see boxes of holiday stuff coming down from the attic. I am 16 years old now and have gone through many holidays in my beautiful home. People just show up! It’s all abuzz, as they say. It’s good that everyone is loving and happy, but I am just not in the mood this year.
And then there’s all the cooking that goes on here. It’s amazing. My housemate woman is a fantastic cook. I know that because that is a huge part of the conversation around the dinner table – not that I ever get to taste any of it. But, it used to smell so good to me. Now, I just don’t like it so much. Am I just being a…what would you call it? A Hum Bug? What’s the matter with me anyway?
Monte
Dear Monte,
No, I do not sense anything of a humbug in you. At age 16, you are somewhere around the age equivalency of an 80 year old human. I am not that far behind, and my honest opinion is that you can think whatever you want. You have earned it! My readers know by now that one of my favorite concepts is R-E-S-P-E-C-T. You have earned that, too.
Cats – and dogs, and other animals for that matter – are much like humans in their aging process. It is natural, even though the tendency to fight it is enormous for some. There is nothing wrong with being aged. Sure, the eyes may get a little cloudy and out of whack and you cannot quite make the jump from the floor to the lavished dining room table. Grey hairs show up, you now have a little paunch, your limbs get a little creaky, and so does your attitude.
How you handle your holidays this year is much dependant on the guest list. If you are expecting small children, giddy young couples, some of whom will bring that darn dog with them, and numbers of people you have met before but are not all that familiar with, plan a day of lounging away from the maddening crowd. If you are expecting a group of 4 or more assorted people, try to get your human to provide a nice bowl of food, a special treat, and water. Your litter box would probably be a good idea, too. She can place it lovingly in the Master Bedroom where you can lounge all day on the big comfy bed. Guests can use the bed in the guest room to their purses, coats, gifts, cleaned soufflé dishes, etc. You can just be queen for the day, and I guarantee, you will get through the ordeal very well.
I found this in an enlightening article by Phil Maggitti, Caring for the Older Cat, “That celebrated cat lover Cleveland Amory once defined a conservative as someone who does not like anything to happen that has not happened before. The older cats become, the more conservative they get.” Maggitti writes of the many changes in cats as they age. Diminished sight, weight gain, finicky eating habits due to lessened sense of smell are all very normal. Along with those changes may come crabbiness, lack of interest in playing with your toys, and accentuated reaction to holidays which lead to stress. Ask any 80 year old person, and they will concur.
All living beings, of course, must try to exercise, eat healthy, enjoy good dental care, and relax. If any symptoms go to beyond moderate level, you should consult your veterinarian or acupuncturist. But as for your humbuginess, enjoy it and enjoy a quiet day of solitude while the throngs of folks downstairs – even the ones that brought the dog – are enjoying their holiday merriment. Honor yourself and you will be honored. Enjoy!
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt* Tampa Bay
