Goldie

We initially went to the humane society to adopt Quint, a 6-year-old male who had lived at the shelter since he was a kitten. He is a shy boy and didn’t weave between people’s legs when they came to adopt.

Quint climbed from his cage and stayed as far away as possible when we met him. He wasn’t interested in coming home with us…or maybe anyone.

We walked around the building, checking out the kittens and cats in other rooms, looking to see if there was another feline who would be a good addition. A playmate for our 4-year-old female named Piney.

Goldie practically melded into us when we found him. He is a 3-year-old orange and white striped cat who had only been at the shelter for a few months. I wrote a check, signed some papers, and Goldie came home with us.

Piney discovers Goldie in the cat tree for the first time.

Piney stopped dead in her tracks when she heard his first meow. The look on her face said it all: What the hell did you do? There was a lot of hissing, growling, and fancy dancing those first 48 hours. Piney stayed mainly in the bedroom, Goldie hid in the office…under my bookshelf. We would close the door to one room or the other to keep them separate and prevent any more fighting. Goldie was curious about Piney. Piney wanted him to spontaneously combust and never be seen again.

A few weeks later, there is little hissing and practically no growling. Instead, they attack each other when using the litter box. Piney even seems to want to play with Goldie at times, though her form of play shares some similarities to torture. Goldie always wants to play with Piney, which usually results in hissing and snarling from Piney. She is more active than before, primarily because Goldie keeps her engaged and on her toes. Piney watches him run around, play, and even just sleep. She wants nothing to do with him yet can’t take her eyes off him.

I am Piney’s human; however, I am now also Goldie’s human. I am very aware of this and try to let Piney know she is still the alpha cat. I make sure she gets her food and treats first. I am intentional about giving her attention and praise whenever I can. I want her to know I am human enough for both of them, though I don’t know if she will ever believe it. I was her human first, after all.

Goldie is just Goldie. He snuggles with me at night, hangs out on the back of my chair while I read, and even jumps in my lap to comfort me when I cry. Watching Goldie explore the house, settle in, and make himself comfortable has been an interesting experience. He just plops down anywhere, stretches out, and chills. Very little phases him. He is happy to just be and just be loved. He is the chilliest cat I know, the opposite of Piney…and me.

First Piney and now Goldie challenge me to be a better person. Someone who puts down their phone to scratch under a chin. I can send that email later. Goldie is teaching me to enjoy the simple things – a soft bed, a roll and stretch on the ground, and the joys of just being. He is a reminder to pause and chill. An incredible gift for all of us to consider.