TLDR: Jojo, pet ethical questions (in red box), Kafka on the Shore (in grey box)
Hey friends, tomorrow is Jojo’s birthday, so I think it’d be nice to write him a letter and have a little cat conversation with y’all.
Dear Jojo,
It’s been two years since I brought you into my life – the black furball that was probably constantly being seen in my posts and stories. I found you at the SPCA in Montreal. You were a scruffy little stray with a missing tooth when you arrived at the shelter. Can you believe I nearly passed you by? I was on my way to another shelter to check out more cats. But fate had different plans, and I decided to scoop you up and take you home on a freezing winter night.
You are a sweet and clever guy. Sure, you’ve got your moments of playfulness and naughtiness, but you know when to cut it out. You can tell when I need some company and understands human emotions. Now that I’m back in China and you are still in Montreal, I miss you like crazy. But I know you are in good hands with people I trust. So, on your 4th birthday (yep, my little Scorpio baby 😼), I’m writing this post for you. No one really knows your actual birthday, so I decided to make the day I got you your special day.
Before you came into my life, I thought I was a dog person, through and through. I figured my personality and pet preferences aligned perfectly with our canine friends. But then I realized I might not be as extroverted as I thought. I discovered the joy of spending Friday nights with you, watching our favorite shows together. In my photo album, I had three main categories of pictures: food, gym, and you. The food and gym photos were purely for records, but when I snapped pictures of you, it was with a heart full of love and warmth. Whenever I felt down, all I had to do was look at my phone’s wallpaper, adorned with your goofy yet endearing face, and it brought a smile to my face.
I can still vividly recall my initial days as a cat mom, constantly worried that I wasn’t taking good care of you. There was this one day when you were snoozing on a chair, lost in deep sleep. I poked you gently, but you didn’t stir. I shook you a bit harder, and a rush of fear washed over me. My heart pounded, and I let out a scream for help. Then, you blinked awake, totally bewildered. It’s become one of my favorite stories to tell people.
I’ve seen too many people abandon their pets due to breakups or moving. I feel terribly guilty for not being able to bring you back to China with me because of my hectic schedule. Although I found you a fantastic place to stay for some time, I can’t help but blame myself for being away from you for so long. Adopting a pet, or even making a small effort to care for one, is never just a casual decision. It comes with a chain of responsibilities and emotions. Always think it through carefully before diving into a life with a furry friend!
I love you so so so much, Jojo. I wish you the bestest and the healthiest.
Love,
Lin <33
If you wish to look at some controversial questions and a book recommendation, keep reading. Thanks for sticking with me and wish you a nice mid November!
Questions to consider:
Background Story:
In your neighborhood, there was a cat that your neighbors were actively feeding. One of your neighbors had been the main caregiver for this cat, and it was a common sight for the cat to receive regular meals. But that neighbor was NOT the owner of the cat. For several days, you noticed the cat was meowing for attention when you passed by. One day, after giving it a brief pet, you returned home to find the cat still waiting at your door, meowing for your attention. The following scenarios will explore the decisions in this context.
Scenario 1: The Cat Seeking Attention
- Do you give the cat attention (playing with it or giving out food)?
- Do you leave the cat as it was?
Scenario 2: Injured Cat Seeking Help: If the cat were injured and came to your door for help, what would you in this scenario?
- Do you take the cat to the vet?
- Do you tell your neighbors?
- Do you leave the cat as it was?
Scenario 3: Competition Among Cats: After you fed the cat with food and attention, three different cats came to you for food and attention. The first cat was a small cat compared to the others and stopped showing up because of the competition with other cats.
- Do you feed the other cats?
- Do you give more attention to the first cat?
- Do you stop feeding altogether?
Scenario 4: Neighborhood Complaints and Safety: Some people in the neighborhood started complaining about these outdoor cats (and dogs) because of some recent news on dogs attacking toddlers to death.
- Do you send the strays to shelters?
- What would you do for the neighborhood safety?
Of course these questions don’t have definite answers, but they worth thinking for a bit. They are largely associated with animal ethics and current animal stray problem in our society. If you would like to discuss your ideas, you could shoot me a quick comment or a message, I’d LOVE to hear some of your voices 😸
Book of the month: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Synopsis Kafka on the Shore is a novel that weaves together two distinct narratives. The story follows a 15-year-old runaway named Kafka Tamura, who escapes an abusive home in search of freedom and self-discovery. Concurrently, it delves into the life of Nakata, an elderly man with a unique ability to communicate with cats.
Their journeys are filled with surreal and mystical encounters, blurring the lines between reality and dream. As the narrative unfolds, themes of family, destiny, and the search for identity take center stage. (by AI lol)
Key Themes Identity, destiny, family, and surrealism
Why did I choose it? CATS. Well, the only book that I could recall with cats in there hehe, but it was a great book and it was by Murakami, so you know it’s going to be mysterious and good!
19til29 