Our cat is anything but a nice cat. He is rather grumpy. We think we was a factory cattery cat. The big mistake was going to a pet store to buy a kitten but being talked into taking a free cat if we brought a certain value in cat paraphernalia. It is no wonder he was free. But I do not dwell on his negative side. I try to avoid the nasty swings of his claws or his quite strong nipping. His frustration when he does not get what he wants is just a facet of his congenital anxiety. This also comes into play when a stranger visits the house and he heads for the hills. He learnt distrust I suppose from being separated from his mother at an early age. He has never got over his separation from her suckling, warmth and love. So I try to fit in with him. He is fed on time with good quality food. I give him affection even when he does not respond. I try to bring out his best side. I do not condemn him. I do not negatively compare him to the other cats we have owned. He is not here for our amusement. He is his own cat and has his own life. He rewards us with his beauty, even present after 12 years, his sullen superiority, his quiet dwelling in the garden and his presence which is full of a transcendent silence.
