Thursday, April 19, 2012

Sepurration Anxiety

On Monday night, I went to find out for sure whether I’m a psychic dreamer or an apnea-tic sleeper (and boy, that sleep study blog post could be a doozy!)  Anyway, that night, for the first time ever, I was separated from my babies.  And by babies, I mean –
Teddy...


...and Decca


The four-legged variety of babies, of course. 

Now, you all know that I was super worried about becoming the neighborhood Crazy Cat Lady.  But friends and family assured me that three cats don’t make a Crazy Cat Lady.  In fact, we actually determined a number – well, it was more of a vehement proclamation.  (Five, in case you were wondering.) 

Here’s the thing, guys – Crazy Cat Lady-ness has nothing to do with the number.  And I’m beginning to think the crazy has arrived.  I’ll let you decide –

When I come home from work, I greet them excitedly and I talk to them like they’re babies (which is weird because I don’t baby-talk to the real baby I hang out with!) 

After reading in an article that slow blinking fostered love and trust between feline and humans, I spent an evening blinking slowly at my kitties.  They just stared at me.  Not blinking.  So, maybe the trust and love is one-sided?   

I bought them an expensive water bowl so they could have filtered water.  I don’t even drink filtered water!

I spend hours playing “Who’s Got Your Paw?  Ouch, I Got Clawed.”  They love it.  At a recent doctor’s appointment, the doctor asked me if I had cats at home.  I’m not sure how he knew. 

I stand at my front door, opening and closing it, so my Teddy can try to catch the sunshine.  He hasn’t caught it yet but he’s trying real hard. 

When I visit my parents, I load the kitties up in their carrier and buckle them up safe and sound in the front seat so they can see me.  This keeps them calm and reduces the hysterical meowing.    

Call me crazy…or maybe just doting.  By the way, I know that I’m not the only doting animal owner out there.  In fact, at a recent lunch my pals and I whipped out our phones and proudly showed pictures of our various pets (between the five of us at the table, we had seven cats and two dogs).  I think mine are the cutest.  And the smartest.  And the funniest.  I swear that I’m not biased.

But the hard part’s coming.  This summer I have four trips planned – all lasting longer than one night away.  So, I’m going to have to leave my little cat-babies.  And I’m freaking out about it.  Don’t get me wrong, they’ll be in excellent hands – the cat-sitters have four cats of their own, not to mention an ACTUAL baby.  They know what they’re doing.  It’s just…I’ve never left them before!

What’s a Crazy Cat Lady to do?!