So we have this cat.
...his name is Booger. He is pure black, long haired and came with the name.
As with all of our pets, Booger came to us through a series of events. Booger was owned by Mary's Aunt and her husband. They were in their 80's and lived their entire lives in Corinna, Maine. The first time I met them, John and Alice seemed very frail. Alice excused herself and shuffled to the back porch. I heard her open the screen door and say in a whispered voice "Booger!".
No response. She waited a moment and then this little woman belted out "BOOGER!!!!".
I laughed to myself.
To make a long story short, Mary's uncle passed away not long after that and her aunt was hospitalized for a hip fracture. Then she went into a nursing home. Then she got dementia. Then she died. When she went into the hospital, her niece called us to see if we could find a home for Booger. We kept him.
Booger was not a natural in the house when we got him. Teenage kids, 4 dogs and 2 other cats were not his idea of a good time. The dogs chased him. He hated that. He finely found refuge in Becca's room. We put a baby gate up so that he could have some solitude.
Somewhere along the line he started coming out for coffee and attention. Most mornings I get up early and sit on the couch and have my first cup of coffee. I've done a lot during that solitary time over the years. When the kids were home, I would usually plan the day. Who had what after school, what needed to be added to the to do list. For a long time, I would sit down during that time and try to catch up on emails. All along though, I gave Booger some unshared loving. Just me and Boog.
One of the things that I've developed as a veterinarian is a good petting style. I realize that this is a small thing to add to your resume, but if you are a vet it's a pretty good one. Actually, if you are the pet of a vet, it is a bonus. Of course, if you have a cat you know that they will tell you if you have found their secret spot. The orgasmic purr, the face rub, the bite, the run-away and then come back, the flip...all feedback that molds a good petting . Over the years, we have developed a little dance. He rubs on my legs while I'm making coffee. I get the coffee cup and a blanket and sit on the sofa. He is on me before my butt hits the cushion.
The reason I tell you all this is because recently I've been trying to focus on present moment awareness. I tend to run things in my head constantly and sometimes miss some significant details in my environment. For instance, I'm willing to bet that through the years I have petted Booger many times absent mindedly and drank a hundred cups of coffee that I never even tasted. Adrenaline is a mixed blessing, it makes us more productive, but it robs us of the ability to sit and absorb the sensory details of our lives.
This morning I was mindful of the bird's springtime songs, the smell and bitterness of the coffee, the feel of Booger's soft fur. I think he noticed my presence this morning because he was ecstatic in his gyrations. I laughed as I remembered the story of Mary's delicate Aunt bellowing his name on the porch.
Its springtime, and in Maine that means that our bodies and senses come alive. I hope that as your week goes on, you take a moment to enjoy you own sensory experience. If you are in Adrenaline world, take a moment to smell the coffee.
...and if you have a pet that you have a daily ritual with, take a moment to revel in that experience.
Today, pick YOUR Booger.
