MUSINGS FROM THE MIND OF AMANDA

I love pets. My oldest is a thirteen year old ginger tabby named Tango. Someone found him in a storage building at work when he was about six weeks old, and brought him to me. As soon as I touched him, he purred so loudly it sounded like a diesel engine…so of course, I took him home.

Now, he’s thirteen. His kidneys are great. He has a heart murmur. He’s blind in one eye, but he’s an inside only cat, so he manages quite nicely. He scarfs and barfs. He has the cat version of irritable bowel syndrome. He requires $75 a bag prescription cat food. He needs steroid shots every couple of months or he pees and poops everywhere. The vet said he’s on palliative care.

Well. That makes him sound awful, but he still eats and lazes in the window and chases me down for attention and purrs like a truck engine. The vet said it’s nowhere near time to consider the most unpalatable option, so for now, he’s in charge.

I’ve made a rule: What Tango wants, Tango gets. He wants fresh turkey? Sure, here you go. We buy some especially for him. He wants to eat it on the kitchen island? No problem, I’ll clean up when he’s done. He yells at me to lay down for cuddles? Let me just get the remote. I work from home and he’s decided he likes my office. It’s supposed to be a cat-free zone because they’re constantly knocking things off my desk with their butts. But for Prince Tango? I ordered a special bed for the window sill so he can have a soft place to sit in the sun and watch the world go by.

I think he’s spent about four minutes in it. Obviously, it’s ok, but isn’t snuggling under Mom’s chin a better option? Especially when she’s wearing a black shirt. Or trying to snack. Just this morning we had an office pot luck, where my dog Lillie, Tango and I ate Cheez Its. Then he decided to sit on my shoulder for a while. Ever try a conference call with a cat on your shoulder? Don’t.

But with all the extra attention and care, he’s happy. He doesn’t play, but he never has played a lot. He snuggles and purrs and eats and bosses me around and hates on the dog, and does all the things he’s always done. He even jumps from the floor into my arms, although it does take him a little longer now to line up for the jump.

The bottom line is that he’s spent his whole life loving me. I couldn’t tell you how many tears I’ve cried into that orange fur. He waits for me to come home and immediately jumps on the bed and demands attention. He wants to be near me at all times. If I can make his life a little better with some turkey or some special food or quiet time, then I will.

Still, it doesn’t change the fact that Prince Tango is a dictator, and I am his most loyal subject.