Cat In Demand!

Hello, it's Chloe here . . . phew, do I need a good rest!  Writing to you will give me an opportunity to relax.

I can never remember such a busy start to the year, my paws have hardly touched the ground,  In fact, I think my most useful Christmas present was my new diary.

What's been going on?  Let me tell you.

As you'll remember, I work for the Pets As Therapy charity . . . and a very good charity it is.  They phone my Mum to tell her who's in need of my services, and she then acts as my chauffeur and takes me where I'm needed in our car.

Well, I've been visiting the patients at our local nursing home for years, and they're always very excited to see me, but last month my Mum had a very different request.

Did you know that some people are afraid of cats?  Yes, I know, I found it hard to believe myself.  But it seems these people have what's called a 'cat phobia' and cats simply terrify them.  The doctor from the local Phobia Clinic was in need of help for a small boy named Elijah and, well, you know me, I'm always ready to be helpful.  So off my Mum and I went to meet Elijah.

When we got to the Clinic he wouldn't even come into the room, he just peered at me through a window, looking really scared.  I don't want to sound boastful, I'm not a boastful cat, but by the time we left he was actually patting me on the head and wanted to know if I could visit him at Christmas.  The Clinic is so pleased with my visit that it's booked me to go back twice this month . . . two more dates for my new diary.

Then, shiver my whiskers if there wasn't yet another call on my services . . . quite a different kind of request this time.  It seems that a local church has acquired a family of mice.  Speaking for myself, I can't see why the mice shouldn't be there.  After all, they're all part of God's creation.  But the vicar wanted me to walk around inside the church so that my scent would discourage these mice from staying.

I was perfectly happy to oblige, and, as you can see, had a very interesting time exploring the church.  Although I must say that I'm rather surprised the mice should have wanted to live there in the first place, it didn't feel very cosy to me.

So, there you have it. 

Can you see why I'm in need of a rest?

Believe you me, it's a demanding world if you're a co-operative cat . . . you human beings need such a lot of help. 

What a relief that, when each visit is over, I can come home, go into the garden, and share my thoughts with my good friend Blue.

Thank heaven for understanding cats!

My good friend Blue and me!

Waitiing in the Wings

I've recently been watching a video which gave me pause for thought.
May I share some of these thoughts with you?

As I see it, the world is in need of imaginal cells.
What do I mean?  Let me explain.
Imaginal cells are the cells inside the caterpillar which emerge in the larval stage and slowly unite to form the butterfly.  As the caterpillar's other cells disintegrate, so these new cells gain strength.

Ultimately, a previously hungry, destructive, earthbound life-form is changed from within to become an air-bound creature of delicacy and beauty.


I wonder, did something else come to mind as you read that description?
Wouldn't you agree that, at this point in time, our world is caught up in a similar state of confusion and self-destruction . . .  and that we, too, are desperately in need of imaginal cells to bring about a similar transformation?

We won't dwell on the confusion and antagonism that is surging around at the moment . . . let's look instead for the possible existence of those life-changing cells.

First of all, surely they can be found in all activists for climate change, and in every effort being made to conserve the environment, and to show love and respect for our fellow creatures?  Only this week, an imaginal cell was activated in Oxford.  The principal of St. Edmund Hall, Prof. Katherine Willis, made the inspired decision to coat the walls and terraces of the college with flowers, plant life and shrubbery.  What a pleasure for every passer-by . . . what a benefit to the Oxford environment.

And that wasn't all this week.  It's only a matter of days since the Girl Guides in the UK made a pledge to tackle plastic pollution.

Imaginal cells are found in trust, compassion and understanding.  They thrive on happiness and love, and shine the light of positivity into the darkness of negativity.

It would seem that we have a choice to make . . . are we to be part of the disintegrating and self-destructive caterpillar, or imaginal cells with our sights set on future transformation?

Is there a butterfly waiting in the wings . . . ?

We can only hope.

To watch the two-minute video I mentioned at the beginning,  click here  . . and enjoy!