Day Two Hundred Thirty Two

Count Your Cats

If I've learned one thing in life it's that we never stop learning. I learn something new every day. Whether it's a word I've never heard before like "fungible" or "screed" or to never trust my husband to count cats before going to bed; leaving one outside all night... I try to make it all a learning experience. If you go through life thinking you know it all - whether you're nine or ninety - your life isn't all it could be. Whether it's a positive experience or a negative one, you take away something from it.

Now you probably think I'm going to whine about the cat thing. Well, I'm not. Andy knows he screwed up. Fortunately it wasn't too cold last night; there is always water available and cushions to curl up on. I suspect the little guy had quite a good time, too. He sure looked full of himself when I opened the door. He was glad to come in and get some breakfast, though! No harm, no foul.



Always count your cats!

Nah - you know me better than that. My cats are not fungible! I was stupid mad. So mad I had to have a good cry. I figured if I got it out by crying I would be less likely to kill my husband. This is precisely why we have never had firearms in our home. He knows I can get pretty mad and he decided early on not to take a risk by giving me access to a lethal projectile. Good call. I can think of a few situations where I would have liked nothing better than to blow his fool head off. He ensured all I could do was fantasize about it.

Andy's biggest fear...

The worst thing he can do is the one thing he does - shrugs. I. Hate. That. Shrug. It infuriates me more than any stupid thing he could say. Actually, it does speak. A shrug says, "I don't care about this. It's no big deal to me." ARGHHH - Well, it's a big deal to ME!

Okay. I feel better that I got that out. So, where was I? Oh, yes, learning experiences. Don't assume everyone knows what you know. Now, I'm not suggesting one goes around giving long screeds about stuff. No need to spew out all your acquired knowledge. But if you have learned something important, share it. Especially when it comes to pet care.

I pass on things I've learned the hard way. Like things poisonous to dogs: Xylitol (found in sugar free gum and candy,) toadstools, and poinsettias. While those string toys you hang on the door to occupy cats are fun - if supervised - because cats are incapable of spitting things out, like string. A friend almost lost her cat ($3,000 in surgery) because she left the cat alone with the string thing and the cat swallowed the string. Lizards can be lethal to cats if ingested. And French Bulldogs can't swim. They cannot.

Anyway, I will leave you with this - count your cats before lights out and forget the poinsettias. Better to be safe than sorry. Oh, and if you have a French Bulldog, buy a life vest.