Benny Gets His Pets

Sigh.

Benny?

I can't keep up this ruse any longer; I can't continue to sit by and act content while you complain about the same old problems about which you never do anything to solve. I can't let you temporarily alleviate the stress by binging on Cracker Jacks and Modern Family anymore.

Oh.

Sorry, I don't mean to be this blunt, it just really hit me today: if I only have nine lives, I can't continue to spend this one, day in and day out, with you whining about how your dreams have passed you by. If you want them so badly, chase after them like I chase that little dangly strand of yarn you wiggle on the ground in front of my face: don't give up until you catch them and are holding them in between your two paws.

Benny. I never imagined that if you could talk, you'd have all this bottled up to say.

I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm a little bit distressed, but I appreciate your candor.

Listen, Emily, I can't go about this life sleeping well in the middle of the day if I don't hold myself to the utmost standard of honesty.

Well, I can respect that.

Thank you, Emily. I knew there was a reason I considered you a friend.

You mean besides the fact that I feed you, give you a warm, dry home, treats multiple times a day - which I don't even make you work for, - toys of every sort you could imagine, a comfy bed to sleep in (and I don't even complain or ask you to move when you lay on my sweaters or paperwork), pet you to your heart's content, play with you whenever you like, and even grow a catnip plant for you in your herb garden out on the catio I built for you?

Yes, I mean, of course you are my dearest of friends, of which I of course have many.

Of course.

But enough deflecting: we were talking about your shortcomings, remember.

Yes. I should've known you'd hold me to as high a moral standard as you hold yourself.

Indeed you should. I can't tolerate living with someone who can't be honest with herself when she looks in the mirror. If we're not honest with ourselves, with whom can we be honest?

Benny, I never knew you were so philosophical.

I'm not really. It's just common sense to me. It comes just as naturally as purring or chattering at the birds outside the window - which reminds me: It's about time to check out the South-facing windows and take a nap in the sun, so we should probably wrap this up soon.

Listen, the bottom line is, you have so many great qualities, Emily. Moping around about the opportunities you've missed out on isn't going to serve you the way that you hope. Trust me, I've known you long enough to know that.

Thanks, Benny. You've really changed my perspective. Seeing myself through your eyes has been enlightening. Knowing, now, not only what I went through, but what I put you through as well when I went through a breakup, a fallout, an end, a new beginning, doubt, fear, frustration, hours upon hours of indecision, wracking my mind for the answer to the eternally present question: which option is the right choice - it hurts all the more. At the same time, it's good to know you were always cheering me on when I treated myself well and that you felt proud when I made a good decision. Just knowing that makes my heart smile.

Emily, I'm glad I could bring you to this realization. And just know that you shouldn't take it personally when I do this, because I do love our snuggle sessions when you hold me and pet me as I purr in your lap, just as much as you do, but as I said, I must be off to the South-facing windows while the sun's streaming in them just right: those rays aren't going to soak themselves up. Aaahh, I really needed that stretch. Feel free to join me if you'd like.