Millie

I never considered myself a cat-lover. I never hated cats. I didn’t even dislike cats. Cats were just ever present fixtures on earth like chairs at a table, or leaves on a tree—you know they are there, and you assume they belong. To be forth coming, I have always been a dog lover—and for the past several decades a Pembroke Welsh Corgi fanatic. The first Corgi Paige and I had actually slept on my pillow, lying against the top of my head. Every dog since Brittany became family, until my last Corgi. Last, because I did’t want to face another “The Rainbow Bridge” crossing.

Then came Millie, a beautiful Siamese Snowshoe — cat.

Millie is a rescue, through a Veterinary clinic. Millie readily made herself at home with me—in her own way. Seasoned cat-lovers will understand this. She is a wonderful pet, and an interesting companion—when she wants to be; but unlike a dog. You can call a dog, and grinning, happily the dog will come bouncing to you, licking you at every chance. You can call a cat—. You can lead a dog with or without a leash. You can lead a cat—(in a crate) and take it with you. But first, you must get the cat INTO the crate—It’s a myth.

I am learning that Millie is a companion, in her own way at her own initiative. She is not the only pet in our household. Jennifer has a rescue Corgi, Claire. The interaction between the two pets reached, shall I say, détente—though never hostile; more like curiosity. Last week, Millie figured out how their relationship should go, and set her sights on it. I think Millie, now feeling a lot safer around Claire has decided to have fun with her—yesterday she pawed Claire as she passed by! She comes to the door of the room, chooses the right time, and dashes in, leaping into my lap. It annoys Claire, and I think I see a smug success look on Millie’s face.

These two house pets, different in almost every way have not only learned to create “a peaceable kingdom” but also a way to have fun. One is a dog. the other is a cat. Claire has a gimpy leg from an injury, Millie has a repaired eye. Management of and care for each requires different kinds of attention and help. Thankfully, they get along very well together—well, together is a bit of a stretch; it is more like, yes, détente.

Claire moved in, Millie was tolerant; not overjoyed, just stoic. Once the two established that they weren’t going to kill each other, they established consummate communication. Don’t get the idea they were overmuch excited being in the same house; they have accepted what it means to share, to be tolerant, and to enjoy their niche in this household. We human beings could learn a great deal from Millie.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2025