Huskies or Hookers: Quick fix solutions for the soul
Placing the last of the morning dishes into the drying rack, I hear your staticky, high-pitched squeal escape the monitor adorned in breadcrumbs.
Perfect timing! I whisper under my breath, knowing full well that within seconds, your complaints will morph into a mini monologue. Amongst your stuffed minions, you’ll speak passionately about the earth’s diminishing resources, that include: light switches, shiny motorcycles, peaches and big boobs.
Admittedly, in any other context, I’d call you bat-shit crazy, but youth has provided extra wiggle room for “normalcy”. If only adults were given the same courtesy.
Scooping you out of the crib and into my arms, your legs wrap around me in a sumo-simian embrace. “Maaaamaaaa!” you scream, pointing to the miniature puma curled in a mound on the rocking chair. “Maama!”
“Yes honey, I know. IPA is chillin’ in the rocker, so we’ll have to go elsewhere for our ritual post-siesta cuddle.” But just as I turn to leave, it occurs to me that to date, you’ve never felt the delicious feeling of fur on your face.
Laying you on your side, I place your head gently on IPA’s body and wait. As with most felines, IPA will happily tear off a limb if you try to cozy up to him during normal “business” hours, but when deep in REM, a 10 point earthquake won’t shake him into consciousness.
“Mica…does IPA feel good?” I ask in a hushed tone.
With a tangle of fur between your fingers, you peer to the heavens and allow a mischievous smile creep across your face.
Occasionally you lift your head up to seek my approval, to secure my whereabouts, but it’s momentary. The minute you see my eyes, your head drops right back down again, sinking deep into his fur, listening to inner-workings of his body.
If you could stay there forever, you would.
Life Lesson
Sweetheart, during the most trying and difficult times of my life, I’ve always had a furry companion to ease my pain. Granted, cats aren’t known for their sappy displays of affection, but their mere presence calmed my nerves and helped me feel loved.
Even today, when I feel like the world is ending because I can’t figure out how to keep your stomach full for more than 10 minutes, I do exactly what you did: I simply lay my head on IPA’s body and feel every ounce of anxiety slip off my skin. Much like your car blanket or pacifier, animals can offer a sense of security, of dependability, of safety and love. To be truly loved by an animal is one of the most magical and majestic feelings in the world, and one that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
So next time you’re stressed and want to spend your money on hookers and blow, do me a favor and get a husky instead.
Photo by jenny downing
