I just read another recent study that suggests dogs are more loyal than cats. Of course, I know better. I remember years ago when I had very painful dental surgery and the late great Roxie (the Japanese bobtail) would not leave my side as I rested on CCL’s sofa. While I slept she in fact laid on top of me. Most recently, Grace, a true diva, has provided a sense of comfort during the COVID crisis. She is also quite chatty too.
If there is any doubt that cats make good companions and are loyal to boot, read the story from Reader’s Digest of “Henry and Baloo.” Owners of Henry, a rescue dog, found that their pup seemed to suffer separation anxiety, so they adopted Baloo to keep him company. You can read the story here: https://www.rd.com/article/henry-and-baloo/
We are all getting more acquainted with Social Distancing. Health experts have warned us that this is what is needed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. For our lives, sakes and the sakes of others’ lives and health, we have been asked to create physical space when shopping or visiting neighbors and friends.
Still, for some, that may not be enough. There are a lot of people who need to “social distance” in their own homes. Some of us also need to distance ourselves mentally from less than positive influences. We need to practice Social Distancing of the mental kind.
The Coronavirus or #COVID19 is highly contagious, spreading death, disease, and fear all over the world. For all of us in some way, it has caused outright panic with grocery stores running out of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and food stables. There have been widespread cancellations, economic setbacks, extensive handwashing, and handwringing. No movies, no concerts, and no parties.
Social distancing is the new normal. Right now, we are all in our corners, waiting to see how things “shake out.” Fear is trying to rule, but we are all looking for positive, peaceful ways to cope and to connect. Prayer, meditation, and the emergence of spring have helped.
I am following the example of Grace, the tabby cat, I inherited from CCL. She is content to do her morning meditation in my back yard. She also joins me when I am seated on the living room sofa – “her spot.”
My church holds daily prayer calls, many religious institutions and fitness centers have moved to online support, and Zoom “happy hours” are being held on a regular basis.
In my Brookland, Northeast Washington, DC neighborhood, we are, as in most of the nation and the world, practicing “social distancing,” but folks on my block join in a daily “Dance Party” party. One neighbor uses his Bluetooth speaker on his porch to blast music while and we all dance either on our porches or up and down the sidewalk of our street. Today he played several songs from “Frozen” for the children and some Disco jams for the adults.
There is also the wonderful DJ D-Nice, who holds a daily jam on Instagram (@dnice). The party has a strong celebrity presence, including Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Oprah, J-Lo, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Demi Lovato, actor Donny Wahlberg, and Chuck D.
Music is a universal healer.
Grace the cat gets her groove on with DJ D-Nice too!
So here we are – 14 days (or 15 days depending on your time zone) into a new decade. Often we use the event of a new year to make change. At the start of 2020, many of us started work on our resolutions to do better, be better or at least seem better. Maybe we wanted to lose a few pounds or change jobs or adjust our attitudes. Those resolutions – promises to ourselves and to the world – are for some us already broken but we are just fine. God loves us, just as we are and we can begin again tomorrow. One Day At A Time, life gives us fresh options.
Cats & All That ™ 