As the weather gets colder a warm lap to sit on isn’t so bad I guess. I wasn’t brought up with warm, comfy laps to sit on so it still feels a bit strange for me. I used to snuggle into the fur of my kitty family but we were dirty, hungry, wet street cats and my eyes were always sore, so I couldn’t always get comfortable or warm. Sleeping was a time when I was most vulnerable and as I’ve said before a time when I didn’t always settle and relax.
Now though after living with mummy and daddy for longer than I was without them I’m starting to realise that a nap and cuddle isn’t such a bad thing. I can allow myself to have some time when I’m completely relaxed and now I can let myself sleep deeply, the worst thing that happens here when I’m sleeping is that Millie or Angelin might jump on me!
When I first arrived I wanted to keep my own sassy street cat personality, I thought all I really needed humans for was food, shelter and safety. I’m an independent, capable and confident cat and the thought of losing my identity and becoming completely domesticated was something that I worried about. Daddy said that he was the same when he left his childhood home to set out on his own, he was proud of where he came from and didn’t want to lose his identity and heritage. He explained to me that it was ok to accept that you might change a little bit to adjust to your new surroundings but inside you’re still the same. “Jenny” he said “You’ll always be that courageous, adventurous, independent street cat, that is something that’s just part of you no matter what. Being a home cat won’t change that but it’s also ok to enjoy some home comforts too, it won’t change who you are inside and who knows you might quite like a lap cuddle and I know mummy would love it.”
My daddy is very wise so I went away and thought about what he said, I remembered something that I had forgotten from when I first arrived here, I was so tired and nervous and without realising it I had sat with mummy on her lap and slept and slept until I was fully recovered from my journey. After settling in properly I was just too busy being an energetic playful kitten to spend time cuddling. I had forgotten all about those early days – it was all such a blur and I had forgotten how warm, cosy, comforting and reassuring mummy’s lap had been. Maybe I’ll give it another try, so once I had finished a pre nap in my cat perch bed and it was all quiet I crept down the back of the sofa, as I did I felt the touch of mummy’s hand very gently guiding me towards her so I carefully climbed onto her lap.
Mummy’s lap was soft, warm and slightly squishy and as soon as my paws touched mummy’s pyjamas I remembered these feelings from before and immediately all the memories from my first days here came flooding back in full. The feelings of togetherness, comfort, caring and love but mostly the overriding feeling of being safe. I wondered why I had stopped doing this but I was just a kitten back then and had so much to do and explore that I didn’t have time to snuggle for long but now I’m older I do like a good sleep. Mummy’s very good when I sit on her, she doesn’t fidget and move about much and stays very still so I can really relax and not worry about what else is going on around me. Then every so often if I stir, fidget, stretch or move she’ll give me a little stroke to make sure I’m ok and I like her comforting touch. Sometimes I wake up for a little bit and have a wash, mummy gets a little wash too if her hands or arms are within licking distance, then back to sleep again. Normally I only really fancy a cuddle in the evenings but recently I’ve been having a sneaky morning cuddle with mummy but only when it’s just me and mummy so we save this for the weekends when daddy’s having a lie in with Millie and Angelin.
I think I could get used to this kind of domestication and when I feel as relaxed and warm as this then I realise just how lucky I am. I’ve learnt that it’s ok to let go once in a while and enjoy the comforts in life, it doesn’t change you or mean you can’t still be true to yourself and your heritage. I’m a feisty street cat on the inside and a snuggly lap cat on the outside – the purrfect combination.
I am happy. I am home. I am loved. 💕
Jenny’s Story 