I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’ve spent a fair amount of my Life avoiding responsibility. I don’t know where the trait took hold, but whether it’s simply choosing what was often the easier path, taking a job because it’s offered not because it’s something I pursued – or moving into my car and playing music rather than buckling down and following the “correct” path of house / family / career et cetera… I don’t want to own a house because I don’t want the responsibility. I don’t buy a new car because I don’t want to worry about it. I don’t want kids cause… well… frankly cause I don’t like kids but ALSO because it’d be a lot of sacrifice for who-knows-what in return – and I’ve been happy without a pet because I don’t want the responsibility.
But now we’ve got this pet.
Sort of. I mean, the previous owner of Not Our Cat’s clear on the subject, and Prince has “officially” changed Loving hands and happy household from three doors down to our place – and we bought a new little collar medallion thingie and we feed him and brush him and Love him… but I’m not sure that HE’S very clear on the subject. Surely he comes back to us daily, and I think it’s fairly safe to say he spends more time with us than with anyone else, but it’s not like he’ll ever come when called (the one trait that sets him apart from being a dog) or can be relied upon to drop in on a relatively regular schedule…
While Kristen was gone I was a little more focused on keeping Prince IN because beyond the responsibility of worrying about keeping the cat fed and happy – I would be terrified for something to happen to him “under my watch”. Like, it was one thing for him to spend a night out in the cold when Kristen was home, but when Kristen and Heather were out on tour with Lea, I was staying up till I heard the “knock” of Prince throwing his body full length on the screen door… and then he was in for the night no matter how much he whined.
Well, in any case – last night he spent the night OUT for the first time since we got back from the tour out west and I was none too happy about it. It took till the rains came today for him to be convinced to come back inside and now there are muddy paw prints and wet couch blankets.
But he’s snuggled and warm. And he came home. So maybe he’ll eventually GET IT. He’s OUR CAT. And our responsibility.
Now… is it responsible to try to get him to eat ants?
