You Have to Love Rusty!

Rusty is so loaded with personality you would swear there is a little person in there.

There’s a lot to be said for the loyalty of an animal. This is especially true of domestic animals which have long genetic lineages steered toward compatibility with humans. If there was a back stabbing breed of dog, for example, that breed would probably not get the benefit of human nurturing and encouraged procreation. We have a tendency to espouse traits in our pets that we do not have ourselves.

Human back stabbers on the other hand are often rewarded with successful careers, will marry the perfect back stabbing spouse, and will then propagate a bunch of little back stabbing bastards.

Animals also innately lack some bad tendencies that we have from the start. Animals do not draw imaginary lines all over the globe and then go to war over them unlike the members of the most intelligent species which also have dominion over the Earth, a soul, and a lot of other really cool stuff I’m told.

I have had many cats over the years and Rusty cat has been with me for a while now. He used to belong to an ex-girlfriend of mine. I guess my relationship with the cat was better than the one with her.  I was genuinely grateful that she entrusted me with the cat knowing that it would be well cared for after our relationship was over. I was also certainly happy that she essentially dumped both of us, I mean, there was no reason to break up the cat and me too right? After she was gone and I was going through my dating around phase I had an interesting experience.

One woman came over and actually sneered at Rusty while exalting, “I do not like cats.” One cannot expect everyone else to have the same affection for an animal that we have but to say something like that about a friendly pet that clearly meant something to me seemed a bit out of skew for me. It has been said that a love of animals shows an appreciation for all life and that is the greatest humanity of all. Lofty notions aside she also just struck me as a snooty little bitch.

It didn’t take her long to sense that the date was over. On her way out she commented, “Maybe if you had treated all of your girlfriends as well as you treat your cats then you wouldn’t be alone.” Now, I am not sure that most of the women from any of my former relationships are even currently aware if I am alive or dead.  That being said, however, she is probably right and my priorities were in the right place.

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8 thoughts on “You Have to Love Rusty!”

  1. Cats are cool. They seem to have a sixth sense about people who are no good for you, i.e. ex-husbands/wives, bosses, etc. I once told an ex-boyfriend who was standing next to my cat Bill, “Could you let him out and lock the door.” He smiled and said okay. I said, “I was talking to the CAT!”

  2. That was lovely & very touching. I can completely understand your feelings towards this woman who’s first comments were negative towards a pet that obviously means a lot to you. I particularly like the bit where you say “It has been said that a love of animals shows an appreciation for life and that is the greatest humanity of all”. This, I completely agree with & anyone who dislikes animals or feels no compassion for them are, in my book, not worth wasting time on. You are better off without people like that in your life. Animals give so much joy & unconditional love. I will never, ever understand anyone that says they don’t like animals.
    I’d also like to say that this is an excellent & well written piece. I will create a new twitter list for animal/cat lovers & you will be the first one on it! Thanks Billy x

  3. Rusty is so CUTE! I love those eyes and that face!

    I would not allow any man into my life who could not also love my cat. She’s short, she has four legs, she’s covered with hair and she can’t speak any language except Cat, but she’s my baby and I love her very much.

    She loves me, too, which is the beautiful thing. She doesn’t ask for much in return. She’s happy just to have good food, a few toys, a litter box, a couple of windowsills to perch on and someone to give her some attention and play with her a little.

    She’s funny and cute and very, very mischievous and she’s a delight.

    1. Thanks for the comments. The ideal situation in a good relationship is one where both people mutually accept all the aspects of each other’s lives. When you really love someone, it isn’t that hard to do.

  4. “Love me, love my cat.” I think baby pet animals and humans are allowed to live because they are cute. Older pet animals are allowed to live because they know what is most important to their masters/roommates. Adult humans don’t necessarily pay much attention to this detail.

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