My Pal

One of my very favorite moments of the day comes after Kenta finishes eating his dinner. Because he scarfs his food down faster and with more enthusiasm than I’ve ever seen in a cat, I have to make sure he doesn’t steal Norma or Alias’ dinners. (Alias is a very slow eater.) I used to carry Kenta upstairs to the living room couch hold him and stroke his soft fur. He would purr deeply. I’d eventually let him go and he’d race downstairs. I realized I didn’t know if Norma and Alias were actually done (Did I mention Alias is a very slow eater?)

So our routine has changed. Instead of carrying upstairs, he now follows me up the stairs knowing that he’ll get a treat. So I give him a treat, often Greenies because the vet said they might help keep his teeth cleaner. Or sometimes his hairball goop that he loves. I love that he matches my pace up the stairs even though he could race up them much faster than me. Instead, he runs up right next to me, foot after foot. He changes speeds if I slow down or speed up. He runs with a swagger, tail proudly swishing back and forth in the best Diego-San style ever.