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The Subtle Nuances Of Pets

Many times, ardent pet lovers will wax poetic or show concern over their pet's behavior. Those without pets, but especially those with pets of their own, will comment that such behavior is completely normal. What they do not realize is that you're simply making a generic statement for something they would not understand, especially if they miss these cues from their own pets.

One of the things I've realized over the last four-plus years is that Swag, my cat, or should I say, my master, is very in-tune with my mental state. When I am sad, he tends to stick close by, but when I am stressed, he tends to wander, often leaving me surprises, thinking he's helping. When I am happy, content, rested, he is too. I worry about his eating habits, especially when he shuns his food, but interestingly, he tends to eat more when I eat more. Certain sounds spark his curiosity and he wants to try, often settling for a lick of his favorite, vegan butter. My behavior often dictates his, but I also have no qualms over admitting mine reflects his.

I often wonder how his behavior would be if we were all alone. During the times when we have been, he has been very attached, showing the most affection, to the point where my feet become entangled regularly with his weaving body. This is a morning occurrence which I find quite amusing, if not, at times, quite annoying. I once felt revolted by routines, especially in the morning, but he has changed me. I know cater to his schedule, waking at 4:30 AM, then again, just before sunrise. I tend to go to sleep much earlier than before his joining my life, but I am OK with that. I find the lack of sleep has changed my daily life, not always for the good, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I do get upset when I comment on his behavior and people tell me that he's "being a cat" or that he does such things every day, because what they don't realize is that I'm not commenting on the general behavior but some minute detail, they'd never notice about him, their own pets, other humans, and most definitely themselves. I have always watched people's behavior, learning from their cues, and working with children has taught me a lifetime of knowledge in reading physical cues that contradict the spoken word, but animals are so very different. Their inability to speak gives them an inability to lie. While some may call their pets mischevious, think about how many cookies or ice cream you've eaten when nobody else is around. Children, animals, and my love for the one I live with have taught me to pay attention to behaviors over what is said and I'd like to think I'm better for it, but it also makes me realize just how poor most humans are at reading people, when they can't even read those sentient beings which don't speak their language.

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