Whiskers
Growing up, I recall discussions about how it was impossible
for animals to go to heaven, being that they don't have a
spirit. How could they have one, being that they don't talk and,
thus, can't understand or communicate with God? Or, at least,
that was the winning argument.
Though, I've wondered, more and more, how that it would be
possible for them not to have a spirit, after having our current
cat; Whiskers. We've never had one like him before.
When we snap our fingers, in disapproval, Whiskers wines. When
he wants to do something that he isn't suppose to do, he'll wine
as if we've scolded him already. Knowing he'll get into trouble
for doing it, Whiskers proceeds to do the thing he isn't suppose
to, anyway ... fully anticipating that we'll immediately tell
him to stop, for which he reluctantly does; perhaps also testing
to see if we care enough to respond.
In every way, Whiskers appears to have the feelings and
understanding of a toddler. He even talks back to us when he
doesn't like the rules. Others have said they've never heard a
cat make sounds like he does, sort of like how a baby's cry has
different meanings.
When our hands are full and we need to open a door, Whiskers
will reach for the doorknob and attempt to open it for us. He
has the gift of helps! When he wants us to open a door for him,
he'll do the same. "Ask and ye shall receive."
With the aroma of cooking, Whiskers will run to the kitchen.
Much like we did as children, he's prepared to rinse the pots
and bowls by licking the tasty residue. (Being in the age of
dishwashers, germs aren't a problem.)
At meal time, Whiskers will select a chair around the kitchen
table, just like any other member of the family; patiently
awaiting (most of the time) scraps. (Just don't leave your plate
until you're finished eating.)
Like children might sneak cookies, the evidence later to be
revealed, we discover pieces of food Whiskers has snitched, then
hid to eat. It isn't a good idea to leave white powdered donuts
out, even with the box lid closed. That's one of his all-time
favorites.
Whenever we leave the house, Whiskers watches out the window,
anticipating our return