#11 Eleven reasons why you need a cat and a few tips

In December 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, my family adopted a cat from the local animal shelter. We named her Lilith. She was a one-year-old, short hair, feral-black cat. 

One big difference she brings to my family is her ability to break negative vibes in the house. For example, if I am bored, she will invite me to play with her. She will look at me with wide eyes and then run under the couch as if she's saying, "Come, please play with me." When my mother-in-law feels lonely, Lilith will accompany her in her bedroom all day. She can somewhat sense her loneliness because Lilith would jump into my in-law's bed only to be stroked. When my wife is exhausted after a day's work and then travels from New York City to Maryland on Friday evenings, Lilith makes her feel better by licking, stretching, and rubbing her body against my wife's legs upon her arrival.

That's one of the eleven reasons you need a cat. A cat can dissipate negative vibes and turn them into positive ones at moments you are not expecting. Here are some of the other reasons.

1. You will have a faithful companion. She will accompany you anytime and anywhere in the house. She will show up in the morning to greet you as you prepare breakfast. She will sit at the sink when you are washing the dishes. She will be in your room or the bathroom when you do your night routine. During virtual learning, Lilith also often slept in my office while I was teaching or attending virtual meetings. She's clingy. If she follows you and you suddenly disappear because you are in the bathroom, she will call for you or even open a partially opened door with her paws just to see you.
2. You will be encouraged to become physically active. She wants you to play with her several times a day. She will race with you as you go up the stairs.
3. You will have a playmate. She will learn games from you that both of you will like. Our Lilith likes peek-a-boo and staring challenges. When she loses, she will meow and approach us. 
4. You will feel welcomed after a long day of work. She will greet you through verbal or nonverbal means when you arrive. She would stretch, rub her nose or face against you, or sometimes will let you carry her. She knows when you are coming. Lilith will run from her cat tree to the door when she sees my wife approaching the door or me. She will also sit still in the hallway near the door, staring at me as I prepare to leave for work.
5. You will smile or laugh. Lilith is like a ninja who maintains her balance while walking gracefully on top of the headboard, stair railings, and top back of a high chair. Also, one day while at the corner of her cat tree, she made a catatonic-like posture with one paw up and still. I noticed there was no more space for that one paw, so she just stood there in that comic posture. Finally, she will bite us if she does not want to be carried but will allow us anyways if we insist. 
6. You will have a talking and listening friend. Well, not like humans do. She will meow for different purposes. Lilith meows in varying volumes, intensities, and frequencies depending on her purpose of communication. She will meow frequently and intensely when you ask her if she is hungry. On mornings, we 'talk' back and forth in the kitchen after she emerges from the basement as if we're checking each other how our night had been. Sometimes she will show up in the middle of the night with a short, whisper meow. When she is locked in a room, she will make a pleading call to open the door, then spring with a couple of meows as if thanking you. If not meowing, she will just sit while staring at you as if saying, "whatever," as you talk to her.
7. You will learn to be compassionate and responsible. My son, Gabe, is in charge of feeding Lilith at night. They build this relationship of anticipation when it is time for dinner. She will wait for Gabe to call her then they start talking to each other. Gabe would ask Lilith if she's hungry and wants wet chicken tender. Lilith would respond with lots of walking back and forth and loud meows.
8. You will miss her, and she will miss you too. She will reciprocate the affection you show. My wife and Lilith have developed this bond that when Aileen is home from New York, Lilith is always following her into the house. Lilith will also hang out in our bed for a few minutes, purring while petting her. She will never come to me in bed when Aileen is not around. She demonstrates the same affection when my daughter is home from college.
9. She can change your mood instantly. Your stress level will decline when she decides to be pet by you. You become happy and energized once you start playing with her. 
10. She's low maintenance and independent. As long as she is well-fed, she will not bother you. She can entertain by herself. She can turn things into her toys, such as a rubber band, bottled-water cap, barbecue stick, and an empty box. She chooses whom to hang out with and where to sleep. She decides if she will come to you when you call. Just laugh when she ignores you.

 

Here are some tips should you decide to get a cat.

• Consider getting one from an animal shelter instead of buying from a breeder. Hundreds of cats (and dogs) are waiting for adoption.
• Be willing to spend time and money.
• Always stock on food - wet and dry. You cannot tolerate a hungry cat.
• Clean her litter box regularly, or else she will dig the soil of your favorite plant.
• Have lots of toys - feathers, lasers, moving objects, etc.
• Put several scratchers at different locations in the house, or she will scratch your favorite furniture.
• Buy a tall cat tree. Cats love heights!
• Clear your window sills. They love sitting there for hours watching squirrels, dogs, and people passing by, the birds, and the garbage truck!