Have you ever tried semi-adopting a kitten? You will find yourself in a battle of wits that you are unlikely to win. First, they come timidly to your door for a bit of food. Then they start meowing loudly for their meals. Then they wind themselves lovingly around your legs and into your heart. Before you know it, there is a cat asleep on your sofa.
Manee, our three-legged kitten is crazy about helping me with the housework. His favourite occupation is not letting anyone sweep. He attacks the broom, rolls in whatever dust we have swept up and redistributes it as quickly as he can. He discovered that walking straight emphasizes his handicap as his body dips to compensate for the missing leg, so he has devised a way of moving sideways like a crab, and he does it so fast you can barely see his legs move. Kalpaka is a heart patient. He has figured out that the stairs make him pant, but he loves going to the roof of the building. So he simply sits outside the lift and goes “Yeow” loudly and then rides up with whoever will take him.
Cats have their own strange chemistry. Two of our cats groom each other. One of them puts a paw on the other to hold her still. They then curl up together and go to sleep. The thing about cats is that they are so satisfying to have around. They do not intrude. They are beautiful to look at — a cat sleeping in a patch of sun is a work of art. If you've seen them play, you'll notice how immensely comical they are. When they're ill, they're so stoic, brave and uncomplaining (except when we're sticking needles in them). Their companionship is so rewarding that you never feel lonely when there are cats around.
