June 9, 2012

• Leo the Cat

  So, yeah… Sorry I went all Dreary Drew on you the other day. I try really hard to stay positive and in positivity; some days are just harder than others.

  Well, nothing really going on right now. Back’s still there, still doing its own thang. My cat seems to be hanging around me a little more than usual. Then again, I’ve been having a pretty good increase in spasms, so it’s kind of nice having him around. And who wouldn’t want this pretty face hanging around you?

  

  I’d like to take just a few moments to tell ya about this crazy cat… As you know, I’m a disAbled vet. I’ve always been an animal lover. One of the reasons I have Leo is for the therapeutic aspects that come from our companionship. He loves keeping me on my toes and enjoys causing a little chaos from time to time, with or (more) without me. Next month will be his 3rd anniversary of entering my life. In January, he’ll turn 5. The best thing about him, though, is how he’s gotten me to be okay with not being in the military…

  Since my back started doing its own thing back in 2003, it’s not easy for me to get up of my own accord, most especially with the medication I take. Sometimes the pain is so intense, the spasms so sharp, that I just don’t want to get out of bed. When I lived in Hawaii and in England, I had a critter or two in cat form to help with that lack of motivation. It’s easy to just roll back over after the alarm when it’s just myself; not so easy with a 10-15 pound cat pouncing onto your chest, licking your face, and meowing as loud as possible in your ear.

  One of the reasons why I decided to live in the apartments I did in Tulsa was because the landlord allowed animals. When my back started getting a little tricky, I decided it was time to get a little encouragement. I debated between a dog or cat for a couple of weeks. I had started to lean towards a small dog because I knew I’d have to get up and off my tuff a few times a day, forcing me to also get the benefits of some exercise along with it. The manager of the complex caught me one day a couple of weeks after I got the go-ahead to add a critter to my lease. Tyler asked me how my search was going. Told her I just hadn’t really made my mind up yet. Then she asked me if I wanted a free cat. There was a tenant that had moved in a week or two prior and that lease was not animal included. I asked if there would be a way I could see the cat before I really made my decision. Needless to say Leo the Cat stole my heart and hasn’t given it back!

  When I finally had full custody of Leo, the manager was relieved… Apparently Leo’s previous owner would leave him for a few days at a time and not have anyone check in on him. Tyler said that every time she knew that the chick would be out, she’d check on him. Leo took to me quickly when he came to live with me, though he is quite skiddish around other still today. I’ve taught him it’s okay to be a cat. It took me a couple months before he would let me pick him up and carry him around. Then I taught him how to get up on my shoulders. After about 6 months of slow steps with that last bit, he now believes it’s his right to be up there, no matter what I’m doing! (Maybe I shouldn’t have taught him that… hindsight, eh?) And at the beginning of this year, we crossed another threshold: he turned over on his back to let me pet his tummy! I almost cried when he did it; I finally feel he trusts me implicitly. Not bad for almost 3 years…

  But as much as I’ve taught him, he’s taught me so much more. Before I met Leo, I was having a major problem with my discharge from the military. It’s tough being so young and having a career you thought was a sure bet just be yanked from you quicker than anything. I’m sure I’ve said it before, so good chance you’re not experiencing deju vu: the military prepares you for the military life, not a civilian life. The military, VA, and everyone thinks it’s an easy breezy thing to forget your training and just be a civilian. For some, sure, it’s as easy as breathing. For others, like myself, it’s incredibly difficult. And in my situation, I have a daily reminder of what I had, did, and no longer am capable of doing. I know my momma loves me, but one day she made a comment that kind of sucker-punched me. She told me I needed to forget the military and let it go. In theory, it’s not good to hold on to something for too long like that. But it’s hard for me because every day I have this constant reminder called pain, spasms and a broken body that just won’t let me forget overnight.

  

  This is where Leo comes in to save the day… He doesn’t care about BDUs. He doesn’t care about Blues. He doesn’t care if I once had to walk 60+steps up to work or that I worked under a pineapple field. He doesn’t care that I got screwed out of making Staff Sergeant the first time. Or that I know Morse code and way too much about how computers talk to one another. At the end of the day, all he cares about is having a tummy rub, food in his belly, and a shoulder to lay on. All he sees is me, his people mom. It’s crazy the bond that he and I have formed over the last couple of years. He’s helped me ease the hurt and pain from my discharge. So I don’t have him just to have a critter. The therapeutic aspect has been overwhelming and beyond what I ever thought possible. Now if I could just get him to walk on a leash, I’ll be happy!

  Well, I’ve rambled enough for tonight. I’m about to konk out… Have a magnificent weekend!!

  Until next time… CIAO!!!

  • 1:50 am
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