I received a pic the other day of a Soldier (new ruling several years old now is that Soldier is capitalized like so) petting a small kitty. Oddly enough, we all had our little pets there. By there, I meant Iraq. They were so amazed at how well we treated our animals, which is true. We treat our pets better than we treat ourselves sometimes.
I have always treated animals well. I am one of those people that believe our humanity should be extended to animals, because they are truly the innocents. They don't do anything but supply us with something to love and theirs is unconditional. Unless you own some man-eating beast from the nether regions of hell...which is on you, Jack! I am talking the little guys here. Anyway, I am by my own admission a misanthrope, which basically means, I don't like people. The most disappointment that I have ever experienced has been from the hands of people. My dogs and cats throughout my life have never disappointed. Not even when they missed the litterbox or brought me a little something from outside.
We had a little cat...all right, the darn thing was huge...show up at our workplace in Iraq one day. He was a big male...and obviously owned the place. We heard something at the door one night and opened it up only to have this cat stroll in and jump up on one of the chairs. There he took an hour nap, got down, ate some of the vienna sausages we laid out, and drank the water we provided. He proceeded to hop back up on his chair and sleep for another hour. After a while he got up, walked toward the door, looked back, meowed, and left.
Like a typical guy, he hit us and quit us. We never saw him again.
However, the rat population declined dramatically over the course of the remaining time there. I like to think that the big guy was watching out for us the best way he knew how.
So, where ever you are and what ever you are doing there bud, thanks! I hope that your days are filled with bellyrubs and your nights filled with lots of mousing.
He brought a moment of joy in a joyless place, which is more than most. I even contemplated spending 2K to bring him here. Yeah, I know. I am gushy like that.
I even told some Iraqi that I would shoot him if he hurt the cat because he made some off-handed remark. I can make myself known when I want. I ain't all smiles and giggles. He took me serious enough, just like I wanted him to.
To my friends, I will do the same for you if you ever need it. I am there for you.
Well, may the wind be in your sails and your contact with stupidity be limited!
