One of my favorite moments, whenever I take the time to enjoy it, is sitting with my cat Jet by the windowsill and watching the birds on the tree branches just outside. On a warm, sunny spring day, with the tree covered in white blossoms and birds coming and going while chirping in song, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
I’ll sit down at eye level with Jet and join him in watching the view from his perspective. He meows in little chirps, as if he’s mimicking the language of birds. While he purrs and wags his tail with excitement, his head follows the birds flying from branch to branch, and he reports back to me like he’s on watch, giving a live update on everything happening outside.
To play along with him thinking he’s top cat, I’ll ask, “Are we safe, Jet? Do you have these birds under control?” Without fail, and without ever taking his eyes off the birds, he gives a short meow back, as if confidently replying, “Yes.” It always makes me laugh out loud. I praise him for his brave service, and he continues his watch.
When a bird swoops down in front of us, I’ll say, “Whoa, did you see that one, Jet?” He’ll dip his head low and get really serious. His meows shift into a quiet little chirp, and I’ll just sit back and observe, careful not to interrupt Jet’s little slice of heaven.
For a few minutes, life slows down. I get to escape with Jet, and it feels as though we’ve gone on a grand wildlife adventure together without ever leaving the apartment. Afterward, Jet routinely takes a few steps to the right and curls up on my bed. I’m pretty sure he sleeps with one eye open, still on active duty, just in case a bird gets too close. But after an intense session of birdwatching, he deserves the cat nap.
These are the small moments I hold onto.
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