Gratitude #9 – Sumi

When my husband and I became partners, I gained a lot more than just a spouse. Along with The Buddhist came a son, a daughter, a cat, a rabbit, a snake, and more tangible personal property than any human should ever own. I am very grateful for everything listed except the stuff. We’ve been trying to rid ourselves of the stuff for 7 years.

Bonnie and Clyde (and mom)

I’ve always been a cat person. Aside from my awesome childhood dog and a sweet little mouse I briefly had in undergrad, I’ve lived with cats for nearly my whole life. As a child, there was Morris, who greatly resembled his famous TV star namesake. Siblings Bonnie and Clyde lived with my parents for 16 years, from my teens through law school. In college, my bestie and I had a cat that I tried really hard to name something grand like Anastasia or Antigone, but who quickly became known as Cujo. The moniker my BFF bestowed was a much more descriptive choice for the devilish creature who delighted in scaling the curtains and causing mayhem. Cujo had 3 kittens who I called Tounces, Mussolini, and Button before they were adopted out to forever homes.

Tounces, Mussolini, and Button

When I was traveling around the world after law school, some lovely Koho tribeswomen in Vietnam tried to give me a kitten I’d been playing with. They said I should bring her home so she could be an American kitty. Sadly, I had to decline as I was just a few months in to a trip that would last at least a year and kitties like living out of a backpack about as much as one would think. In Borneo, I again came into temporary possession of a wee little kitty. I’d heard her mewling as I walked next to a busy road and my partner executed a daring frogger-like traffic rescue. The desk clerk at the place we were staying ended up adopting her.

Koho Kitty ………………. Borneo Kitty

Returning home from traveling abroad, my partner and I adopted a pair of litter mates we called Muggins and Tonkatsu. I loved them dearly, but when my ex and I parted, the kitties stayed with him. He adored them and I knew he would provide them a wonderful, loving home. Still, I miss them.

Muggins (orange) and Tonkatsu (white)

And now there’s Sumi. A member of my ready-made family, Sumi welcomed me as kindly as the kids did. Though she does quite poorly with new people, we became fast friends. I’ve never known a cat quite like Sumi. She is sweet and adorable, but also rather clumsy, very cautious, and kind of half-hearted in the grooming department. She plays fetch. She’s rather dog-like in general. I attribute this to being taken from her mom at such a young age. I think she came to The Buddhist’s family before she’d finished her training or received her How to Be a Cat handbook.

Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty, little ball of fur.

Over the years, Sumi and I have bonded and are nearly inseparable. She lays on or next to me all day. She follows me when I relocate, waits outside the door for me when I shower, and sleeps politely curled up by my side at night. She has the softest fur ever; the cutest ‘baby kitty voice’ when she’s angling for treats or petting; and I swear she smells amazing. Like intoxicatingly amazing. It’s pretty clear to me that I have toxoplasmosis and I welcome my feline overlord. My family says I’m a pushover and that I spoil her, but that’s just their parasite-free brains talking.

Although she did attack me a few years ago when something outside completely freaked her out, she is typically gentle and cuddly. Unless you’re a noisy stranger; then she’s a fluff-tailed, growling, hiss machine. I think it’s because, like me, unexpected guests unnerve her and she needs some time to adjust to host mode.

ouch!

She can be exceptionally sweet, though. When our bunny, Peanut, was dying, I kept him with me all the time to try to soothe him. Though usually a bit jealous when he was the center of attention, she seemed to know he was ill and was kind. She would lay next to the little cushion box he was resting in and gently pet him with soft paws. Similarly, when I got out of the hospital and was feeling poorly at the beginning of the year, she would cuddle with me and lick my hand and pet me.

I feel very grateful and lucky to have Sumi in my life. I think living with a creature from a different species is mind-blowingly cool to start with. Sharing a house with Sumi, in particular, is a fun and fascinating experience. She’s surprisingly good at communicating (when her water bowl is empty or she wants attention or she thinks it’s time for her treats) and I’m pretty sure she loves me, too.