2021 Update: Spencer and I just celebrated his 16th Gotchaday and he is still going strong as am I though both of us are older and crankier. Also, when I originally wrote this Hurricane Harvey had just struck and we naively thought that we were experiencing some of the worst political turmoil of our lifetime.
***********************************
12 years ago today I brought this handsome guy home from the Town Lake Animal Center. The vet told me at the time that he thought he was about 2 years old so by my calculations we are now both of a certain age, i.e. cranky old men. Decent food, long naps and a trip to the litter box once a day and we’re good. We “get” one another.
He was with me when I experienced my mother’s passing, a career change, a major move, gaining and losing 20 lbs. (at least twice) and a couple of questionable life decisions. Through it all he has been a constant, giving unconditional love and not judging me though I did detect a bit of side-eye after the last QLD. In return all he asks for is a few cat treats in the evening, to be scratched behind the ears while sitting in my lap (usually when I’m at my computer trying to get work done) and a place at the foot of the bed to curl up and go to sleep at night. It’s a small price to pay.
Animals can bring out the best in us and thankfully they keep their political convictions to themselves. When compassion seems to be in short supply their suffering is a call to arms for many. The famous quote attributed to Ghandi, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated” and the outpouring of support for all of God’s creatures in the wake of the events of the last several days makes me think that there’s hope for us yet.
I'm Just Being Frank 