Sleep in? Not on my watch, you won’t!

I’m a very early riser. Some due to the fact I have a day job, requiring I get up to make it to work by 8:30 a.m., and some due to seven restless cats with persistent paws to my face and demanding meows to my ear who insist a minute past 5:30 a.m. is bordering on abuse, because how dare I not have fed them breakfast yet? A lot of it is also simple mathematics – I have too much to do nowadays and getting up early gives me an extra hour or so to get personal things done (i.e., things involving my cat writing world) before I head to work.

The habit is so ingrained I don’t even need to set my alarm clock, although I still do out of fear I might oversleep, and I get up early on weekends, even when I don’t work. Not to mention, the cats never take a holiday from reminding me they do need to eat breakfast every morning, early, thank you very much.

But, I like mornings. Once the cats have been fed, I’ve washed their dishes, and I’ve scooped the litter for the umpteenth time (I scoop, they go. I scoop again, they go again – you get the picture) it’s wonderfully private and quiet, giving me time to breathe before the busy and stressful interference of the world. I’m quite phobic as it is – I’m severely claustrophobic (not just in small spaces, but in crowds of people, such as a shopping mall, or even in wide open areas if my personal space feels intruded) and I also have a disorder called Misophonia, in which certain common, everyday background sounds that are not bothersome to most people, trigger high anxiety in me, such as ringing and dinging notifications from phones and computers, loud music, fans, the tapping noise from a keyboard, and even the sound of water running for extended periods can unbalance my equilibrium in a heartbeat.

The other morning was particularly peaceful. It was Saturday. I had fed the gang, the coffee was freshly brewed and I didn’t have to worry about going to work. I decided to sit on the couch for a few minutes before I tackled the demanding onslaught of emails and Facebook messages on my computer to play a game on my iPhone I’m hopelessly addicted to, called Fairyland. It’s my one true indulgence and something that helps calm and center me before the storm of the day.

I was engrossed with watering my fake Fairyland plants, but soon noticed I had company. A fluffy ball of ginger-orange silk – our precious Jazmine – had jumped up on the couch and was circling the cushion in a round-about to find the “perfect” spot to plunk. This transpired for a few concerted seconds, then plop. She settled next to me, snuggling herself so close it seemed as if we were one. She laid her head on my thigh like a pillow and began making biscuits into the crocheted afghan covering my legs, accompanied by the lovely melody of a soft purr.

There’s nothing nicer than sharing some snuggle time with a beloved kitty.

Ahhh…breathe and exhale…the weight of the world and all my phobias lifted from me and I could feel the burdens of all I needed to get done that day drift away. There are scientific studies that snuggling with cats reduces anxiety and stress levels, as well as lowering the risk of heart disease by being around them, but I didn’t need science to tell me what my body was already feeling – that blissful moment of pure zen and inner peace.

I put down my phone to pet her, keeping my hand on her body as I closed my eyes to fully enjoy the privilege of our alone time together because although Jazmine is very much a friendly cat, she’s not typically prone to sharing snuggle time in the morning with me, preferring her revolving, “this is my favorite hang out spot today, that will change to a new favorite hangout spot tomorrow,” which at the moment was the couch cushion on the far right of the couch, not the far left where I sit. It’s also rare I have a lap to share – the second I sit down, it’s an almost instantaneous magnetic pull for either Zoey, Mia, or both to lay claim to my body and Jazmine would prefer not to be a second or third wheel.

When I sit on the couch the cats need to be quick – first come, first serve when it comes to my lap!

Dan and I had gotten Jazmine as a rescue in 2014 while attending the Global Pet Expo in Orlando. It was a completely unplanned adoption, but when we laid eyes on her at the Imperial Cat booth, that spunky, confident, sassy little orange kitten with the white bib and golden eyes, we knew she was meant to be ours.

Setting eyes on Jazmine at Global Pet Expo – it was love at first sight.

Sitting with her on the couch, I could not believe how quickly time had passed. She was but a baby then – a sweet, sometimes trouble-making diva, and now here she was, full-grown, a large, gorgeous cat – still a diva, but with a temperament that could charm even the most “I’m not a cat person,” kind of person, as she’s a manipulative scoundrel knowing full well the effects of her wiles. For example, a coquettish tilt of her head and a soft chirp of a meow, pleading “won’t you give me just a bit of your food?” will steal your heart, rending you helpless to reason as you surrender that last bite of whatever you’re eating her way. 

That beguiling look will put a spell on you every time…

I knew she would be turning six years old in a few days. Certainly, six is not old for a cat, but with Zee, our oldest cat who had turned 14 recently, my Zoey who had turned 11, and me who had turned 59 just two days ago, it was impossible not to be reminded how fragile life is and I reflected the reality one day she would not be with us, causing me to hold our private together time all the more dear.  Life was traveling at warp speed and I didn’t want the moment to end. I sat with her far longer than my “to-do” clock allowed for, but I didn’t care, it was just too lovely to interrupt and I know she felt the love, too.

Happy 6th birthday to my gorgeous, sweet Jazmine.

With that memory close to my heart, today I wish my precious girl a happy 6th birthday. While we’ll be showering her with extra love, gifts, and attention to celebrate the day, it is I who feel I am getting the gift by having her in my life. Thank you for sharing this special day with me and enjoy the trip down memory lane.

2014 – Jazmine settling in quite nicely in her new home!

2015 – still has the look of a kitten and loves her cat condo perch!

2016 – Jazmine has truly mastered the art of comfort.

2017 – despite all the cat beds, condos, and more, for Jazmine, nothing like a broken in box for a good nap.

2018 – sunshine and Jazmine go paw in paw.

2019 – her most recent favorite napping spot – in between the pillows on our couch. But, check back in a day or two, because that might change!

Muah!! I love this little girl so much!