I had three cats, Sake, Haiku, and Taki. I can't say that they were friends, the best I can say is that they tolerated each other. They could not all 3 sit on the sofa at the same time; two at most, and at best. The one place all 3 could share, besides the kitchen at meal time, with separate dishes, was the bed. They could not sit together, but they could share the bed.
And, they shared something else. I don't know if they learned this from each other, or it is just something they had in common, but they would become anxious when I stripped the bed to wash the linens, and did not make the bed quickly enough to suit them. They did not like to sit on the mattress. I think that was a hold over from when I had a waterbed. But when I stripped the bed, I would make the comforter available to them, on the mattress, or elsewhere in the bedroom. And sometimes, when I did start to make the bed, they liked to play with the linens and hide under the sheets and comforter. For a short while.
The only cat left is Taki. She is learning disabled, but functional for the most part. She forgets how to pull a door open some days, but never forgets how to push a door open. She forgets that playing with claws extended, and biting are not allowed, or just cannot control her impulses. She also is not much of a snuggler, but will sit adjacent, and even likes to hold my hand in her front paws! She likes to eat where I eat: in the kitchen when I am in the dining area, in the computer room, when I am there. If her dishes start in one area, and we move to another, she seems to forget where her dishes are. But she knows the words "kitchen, breakfast and dinner." She has not learned the word "commercial" but she knows that when there is a break in the action, or a change in tempo, I will get up and try to tend to her requests (if I can figure them out)
So, all the to say I washed linens today, which set Taki off a bit, because that is usually a Sunday chore. I was slow at getting the laundry dried and remaking the bed. Meanwhile, Taki took up residence on the comforter that was piled at the end of the bed. She was not resting peacefully, but keeping a careful watch on the bed. And that is when it struck me: This is a common weekly occurrence in our house, which is calm and quiet for the most part, (except during sporting events.) History in her life indicates the bed will be made and we will have a bed again! Although I can try to explain this to her, and I do, her vocabulary is not as good as Sake:s and Haiku's, so I do not think she really gets even the general idea of what I am saying.
And this brought me to what I am seeing on the news about the events in Ukraine, and how it is effecting the civilians. Especially, the impact on children, who may not really be able to grasp what is going on, or are too young to have any idea about what is going on. I do not wish to demean the children of the Ukraine in anyway. I have never had children, only fur babies. But if an unmade bed can create an anxiety reaction in my cats, can you imagine how the noise, explosions, fires, destruction impact the children of war. How being bundled up, leaving home behind with only what you have on your back, with crowds of strangers, usually only one parent, and minimal provisions on a trip in an uncomfortable, crowded truck, bus or train. Not knowing how long the trip will be. Not knowing what will be waiting at the destination, which probably is only an interim destination, before repeating the processing to yet another unknown destination.
And, this is just the beginning of the trauma. There may or may not be a safe haven at the end of the journey: relatives who are lovingly eager to take you in, or shelters that are waystations until some other plan can be made for you, by someone you do not know, who may or may not be able to accommodate your preferences.. In a different country, with different customs, languages, and expectations. With discrimination possible and even likely, once the novelty wears off.
As one individual, there is only so much I can do to help: I can pray. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and the more united the prayer, the more powerful. I can attend vigils, solidarity demonstrations, and educational presentations about the events of the world. I can donate goods, funds or perhaps even services. I can advocate with my legislators regarding my concerns and viewpoint for these world issues.
And, so can you!
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