Cat Dreams

With my mind centered on—and so much of my time consumed by—being an elderly rookie insurance agent, I fear that I may have been neglecting, both in my life and in this blog, my housemate, Alex.

As I previously wrote, I try to make it home sometime during the day to feed Alex his lunch and let him in or out of the house, depending on where he was when I departed for work that day. There are times, such as today, when I am not able to return home during the day.

When I did arrive home this evening, I found Alex inside the house, which was unfortunate since the weather has been delightful. After greeting the cat who owns me with a hug and a belly scratch, I provided him with one of his favorite packaged meals. He seemed thankful and pleased—if one can ever really interpret how a cat is feeling.

An hour or so later, after I had returned some phone calls and initiated a dozen or so telephone contacts with perspective clients, I decided that I needed an early evening nap. I hooked up the CPAP and climbed into bed. A few moments later Alex joined me in the new manner of sleeping that he began a few nights ago.

Perhaps because I am now away so much—or maybe because of some notion he has gotten into his feline brain—Alex now sleeps on top of me. The first time he did that—a couple of nights ago—I was sleeping on my side. I was awakened by cat claws digging into my pectoralis major and, when I rolled over on my back, Alex walked as I rolled and ended up on my stomach—where he curled into his normal sleeping position. That’s the way he has slept the past two nights and during this evening’s short nap: on top of me.

Thankfully, I always now wear the CPAP connected to an oxygen generator when I sleep! This morning I awakened, not only with the cat sprawled on my upper chest, but he had positioned his hind end on top of my face! Without the CPAP forcing air into my lungs, I am sure there is the possibility that Alex could have smothered me!

Alex still has not ventured outside today. At the moment he is curled up by my feet as I type these words. I suppose the little fellow really misses me.