I’ve inherited a cat

Kelsey’s Mama just chillin’. When my youngest daughter Kelsey was still living at home, she really wanted to get a dog. I knew that she would be leaving for college in a year and so I said no. I wasn’t ready to take on that responsibility with my busy schedule, and I knew it would fall to me. Having had many dogs over the years, I understood the time required.

So her pleas turned to, “How about a cat, Mom?” Well, I figured I could handle that. So Kelsey adopted a very cute black kitten from the Mesabi Humane Society and all was well for a little while. But the kitten got sick, and died. Crushed, Kelsey returned to the animal shelter, and looked again. She told me there was a mature long-haired black cat that she liked – and it was the mother of her kitten.

I went to the shelter and as I walked along the rows of cat kennels, this black cat started rubbing against the door of its kennel and stuck its front paw out at me, re- peatedly. I stopped and read the card, and the cat had been admitted to the shelter on Kelsey’s birthday. It was fate.

We brought the cat home and Kelsey named it “Mama.” Mama had somewhat of an attitude at first, but over time she became a very loving and a delightful pet. It was traumatic for Kelsey to have to leave her when she moved to Portland, OR, for college, but I’ve taken over as Mama’s caretaker and we’re doing just fine.

We have our rituals: treats in the morning, hugs and treats when I come home. Couch time before bed when Mama sits on whatever book I’m trying to read, since she thinks I should be petting her instead. Occasional grooming that she’ll tolerate for a while. A laser light and feathered toys for entertainment. She shares the bed with me at night.

I enjoy having Mama at home, as all the kids are gone and talking out loud to yourself just seems wrong. But I wonder if she’s bored; I suspect she is. She sits on a trunk in front of the living room windows and looks outside. Wouldn’t she like to go out there? She never tries to get out the door, but I wonder. I would like to take her outside, but I’m afraid she’d bolt right out of the yard and never come back. I don’t want to have to tell Kelsey that Mama disappeared into the jungle of northside Virginia. She’ll come when I call her inside, but I’m not banking on that if I took her outdoors.

Kelsey’s friend comes often to the house during the day to visit with Mama when I’m not home. But I wonder if she needs another cat for companionship. We were a multi-dog family in the past, and I know that can be a very good thing. But I’m not sure I want another cat. I’ve just gotten used to this one.

What’s a Mama to do?