Month: November 2013

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Author's Life| 16 Comments

Thanksgiving_cats

Happy Thanksgiving
from
Allegra,Ruby and Ingrid

I try to be thankful year round, but I do spend a little extra time on Thanksgiving to really reflect on what I’m thankful for. Of course, Allegra and Ruby top the list – followed closely by you, our Conscious Cat readers! And to show you just how thankful we are for all of you, we have a special surprise for you tomorrow.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

We’re celebrating Thanksgiving on The Conscious Cat Facebook page, too: post photos of your Thanksgiving kitties!

Allegra’s World: Nursing Mom

Allegra's World| 25 Comments

Allegra's_World

It has been said that cats have healing powers, and I’m proof that it’s true! I took care of Mom last week when she was sick. Mom said I was a very good nurse, and that what I did was very sweet. I didn’t think what I did was so special. I was worried about Mom, and I wanted to help her. It’s what we cats do.

I knew something was wrong when Mom didn’t get up at her usual time. She’s always on time with our breakfast, so I was getting worried when she was still laying in bed half an hour after she usually feeds us. When she finally got up, she moved very slowly, and her voice sounded funny – kind of scratchy and hoarse, not at all like what she usually sounds like. But at least she was finally up! Whew!Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Contentment

Sunday Purrs| 10 Comments

cat_contentment

When I think about what contentment looks like, I think of a purring cat. If there’s anything that illustrates happiness better, I don’t know what that would be. And it doesn’t take much for cats to be content: a sunny spot on the floor, a full tummy, a lap to curl up on – those are the ingredients for contentment when you’re a cat.

Why is it so hard for humans to reach that same state of contentment? Why do so many of us always look for the next best thing? For some people, the mindset for happiness is a never-ending cycle of always wanting more. Perhaps we’d do well to learn from our cats when it comes to mastering contentment.Continue Reading

Sunday Purrs: Learning to Live With Impermanence

Sunday Purrs| 11 Comments

Ruby Buckley maple tree

Impermanence is a principle of harmony. When we don’t struggle against it,
we are in harmony with reality. – Pema Chodron

The two photos in the collage above were taken five years apart. On the left is Ruby, looking out of our living room window one day last week. On the right is Buckley, enjoying the fall sunshine in the very same spot, in late 2008, about a month before she died. Looking at these two photos made me realize that accepting impermanence is a fact of life when you love cats. The beautiful fall colors in the photo remind us that nature is also all about impermanence, and the inevitability of change. Nothing lives forever.

Impermanence is a cornerstone of Buddhist teachings and practice. All that exists is impermanent, nothing lasts. When we don’t fully accept this tenet, we suffer. When we do accept it, we find peace. If we can accept that suffering, which can encompass anything from unhappiness and stress to anxiety and anguish, is one of the facts of human existence, we can then also appreciate the sweeter side of life: the genuine joy of living with an open heart. Accepting that nothing is permanent makes the present moment more precious.Continue Reading