BLEAH

Bleah, according to the Urban dictionary, means to express disinterest, tiredness, or overall feeling like crap. Pretty sure the last part is where it falls for me.

I am on the tail end of my annual creeping crud experience. I use to go years with out the first sniffle. Recent years it has become a regular event.  I now  get the regulation nasty cold with coughing, sneezing, wheezing and blowing.  With my puny lungs, this is not fun and a wee bit scary. But, I stayed out of the hospital this time and am actually recovering ahead of schedule. Whee.

I did learn something this time about my pets. I have written before how dogs are better listeners than cats. Still believe that and consider dogs to be more loyal than cats but the cats have way more compassion than dogs. At least mine does.

I am not a good patient. Therefore  there is a lot of grumbling along with the usual disgusting sounds.  The chest rattling coughs, the wheezing, constant blowing and plaintive "woe is me" moans are not things any creature wants to cuddle up with. Also my being even more cranky than usual due to lack of sleep can be off putting to the best of friends.

So I was not offended when as a distraction I reached out to pet Callie the dog while we shared the couch only to have her lean away from me in almost horror.  I had to smile as I imagined her thoughts.  'Hey, when was the last time you washed your hands? You do have hand sanitizer but I can tell by the smell, you have not used it. I'd appreciate it if you kept your crud to yourself thank you.'

Ok, I understood and  left my germaphobe alone as she claimed her corner of the couch, far from me.

I was really feeling punk though so I spread my feet, leaned forward and placed my elbows on my knees.  I used my hands to cradle my 30 pound heaver than normal head. I had to be the picture of abject misery.

Then I felt it.  The softest thing touched my cheek and patted it. I opened my eyes to find I was looking into Minnie (the cat's) eyes full of sympathy. Without a sound she had crawled between my feet, put one of her paws on the couch to raise herself up. Then with her free paw, she stretched to pat me on the cheek.  OK that touched me in so many ways.

Minnie has asthma and usually I will gently stroke her when she has an attack and it actually seems to help her and she calms right down. I can think of no other reason for her actions than to reciprocate what she knew to be healing.

I am much better now and hopefully dodged the pneumonia bullet from last year. Maybe it was the sweet compassion from my kitty that helped. Thanks Minnie.

Dogs listen, cats care. We do have a tie.

Your pet ever surprise you with an unusual, almost human gesture?