Bernard the Cat — Smarter than Vladimir Putin
The wisdom of knowing when to walk away
The Bookshelf Incident
You know how it is; occasionally you have to sleep on someone’s couch. This was early 2013, and I had been unceremoniously dumped in a place I didn’t want to be, but where my daughter had a home. And a cat (above, at Christmas) called Bernard. They both put up with me for a while.
There was a high bookshelf next to the couch, and one morning Bernard jumped up there. It happens; sometimes you end up in a place which does not work out for you. Then you need an off-ramp. It works best if you make your own, to suit your needs.
Bernard noticed something was wrong when all the books started falling down onto my bed. I don’t usually let anything other than a coffeepot wake me up, but this was an exception.
The photo below is a different cat, showing a similar reaction to Bernard when the books fell:
Bernard sat up there, with the few remaining books. He washed himself, jumped down onto the debris that included the fallen books and me, then sat and washed himself again. Then he walked away, without looking back.
In the rest of my time there, I never saw him even acknowledge the existence of that bookshelf.
Learning from Bernard
You don’t lose by walking away. It’s your decision, so you are back in control. I used to stay and try to sort things out when there was no hope. That only ever makes things worse. Other times I’ve moved on — it’s always been the best choice.
Vladimir could walk away from the mess he’s made in Ukraine; maybe make an announcement that he loves Mother Russia and doesn’t want her to suffer any more. He could see Ukraine how Bernard saw the bookshelf; something he is no longer interested in. Pretend it doesn’t exist.
It’s easier to do than people think. I see the Irish Defence Forces have revealed a plan to get their troops out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are to rent cars, and drive to Rwanda. I’m sure Kyiv Car Hire can help the Russians get home.
As for nuclear missiles, even if they work, firing them is a stupid idea. Depending on how many of us survive, and the condition we are in, if he is remembered at all, it won’t be fondly. Even if he’s still alive, anyone who can will hunt him down, along with all his family.
It comes down to the old question: “Do you feel lucky?” Vladimir hasn’t been lucky so far, unless he wants to be remembered as the man who screwed things up for everyone, and was less smart than an old tabby cat. He could just walk away, like Bernard (and Renée).
Bernard found new things to do with his time; so can anyone.
I don’t usually give advice, but to anyone who’s made a complete mess of things, has made a big mistake, or is in an appalling situation:
Just walk away and don’t look back, then the rest of your life is yours to enjoy. Be like Bernard.
That includes you, Vladimir.
