Ins”purr”ations Corner

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Author Romana Gould shares her inspiring writings and eye-catching photos of her furry friends with an everyday purrspective of gratitude and appreciation. Her gentle observations of joy and love in our lives will appeal to the cat lover in us all.

by Romana Gould

R e l a x R e l a x R e l a x R e l a x

Appreciate Appreciate Appreciate Appreciate

For a moment, become aware of the room you are in. Become grounded as you sense the chair beneath you. Take a deep breath and as you do this, pull your attention away from the outer world. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Allow cool air to fill your lungs and warm the air with your heart. As you slowly exhale, fill the room with love. With a sigh of relief, you realize that a moment of clarity can make all the difference.

Deep appreciation nourishes the soul. Become present to the gifts in your life that can be found right here, right now. Celebrate the moment as you walk slowly in nature, as you listen to the happy purr of your cat, or enjoy a good meal. The best types of gifts cannot be wrapped with paper and a colorful bow; they are the ones that make your heart glow.

Wonder Wonder Wonder Wonder

Slow down and see the ordinary with the eyes of a child, as if everything were brand new. Become enchanted by twinkling lights, melt yourself into the melody of a song, let the cool winter air kiss your cheek. The best moments happen when you lose yourself in the wonder of it all.

Mochi as an adult cat today

The other concern was scratching. Jake, similar to Armaan, says it is not that bad but recommends getting scratching posts. “She likes to claw on the chair in my room, but I just tell her no and redirect her attention.

Jakes’ biggest advice, “Don’t keep food out or they will overeat. Feed them twice a day. So Are You Ready for some Cat-panionship?

If you decide to bring a kitten into your family, don’t forget that there still is an amount of work and care that needs to be done after your preparations. It is very important to vaccinate your kitten. Kittens require shots starting at eight weeks, and need a booster at 12 weeks and 16 weeks. These shots are very important because they protect the cat from deadly diseases such as Feline Leukemia and Rabies.

If you are concerned about the price, there are places that help to provide low cost veterinary care. If you are in South Carolina, Pawmetto Lifeline’s Care-a-Van, travels to different locations around the state weekly to provide vaccinations and preventive products. It is also important to spay/neuter your cat before they reach the 12-week mark. Females will stay in heat until pregnant, and it can happen as early as four months old! In turn, unneutered male cats go missing because they will roam until they find a mate. If you are thinking of that first time cat, just know cats are unique creatures with an array of mannerisms some may find aloof or dismissive. “I like that cats have their own boundaries. I like that you have to work for their attention. The worst thing about them is the exact thing I like best, the lack of affection.” And if a kitten is what you desire, make sure you have time to spend with it and guide its behavior. Do not discipline your cat; it will not understand. Jake feels it is best to redirect the cat’s focus. He uses this approach on Mochi when she starts playing too rough with him. He will guide her to her toys or give her something else to focus on instead of his arm. If this seems a bit overwhelming, remember there are so many adult cats who are trained and waiting on you. Whether you choose a kitten or adult cat, Armaan stresses, “Just make sure to do your research.”

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