Living the Life of Andre

Andre (our cat) lives a life of ease ...

He eats when he wants to eat, sleeps when he wants to sleep, loves us when he feels like it, teases the dog when he's in the mood, plays with the kids when the spirit moves him and lays in a sunbeam when he finds one.

There is no schedule to his day. He wanders the house at night if he so chooses. He sleeps all day if there is nothing better to do. He loves when he finds someone snuggled up with a blanket. Snoozing beside someone who is completely relaxed or sleeping is one of his favorite things-to-do.

He appears to be just as happy on his own, as he is with a house full of people. He's a social cat who knows how to appreciate his own company. He welcomes our guests by introducing himself and giving those less fortunate, a chance to know him. He invites himself into others lives with ease.

Andre has a bad case of spring fever right now. He has been watching the weather network (by looking out the living room window) and has been sniffing at the temperature of the air every time the door opens. He wants to bolt. Yes, Andre has an adventuresome soul ...

We do our best to keep our favorite cat confined to the safety of our home. Yet he has a wanderlust that has him wanting more. Living the life of Andre isn't all it's cracked up to be.

He makes the best of what he has. I have yet to see him pout and stalk off angrily when we deny him the pleasure of sneaking outside. He never yells at me for being a 'mean mom'. He doesn't withhold his love when he is upset with us for abandoning him for days on end. He longs for more ... but he is content with what he has.

There is much to be learned by living the lessons that our cat has taught us.

Make the most out of what you have got. Love and forgive easily. Invite people into your life. Make your own fun (but only tease dogs that you know well). Yearn and go after 'more' in life. And when all else fails ... stretch out in a sunbeam. There is nothing like sunlight to make things right in your world.