I have two cats, Coco and Cheekoo. If you remember, a few months ago, I also told you coco's story- how I found her in my backyard, helped her survive and how I brought another cat, Cheekoo to accompany her.
But, since then, I've shared nothing much about them, specially about cheekoo. So, today, I would share something about him as well as what is going on in their lives.
"My relationships with my cats has saved me from a deadly, pervasive ignorance." —William S. Burroughs, The Naked Lunch.
The reason I never shared anything about cheekoo is due to the dilated pupils of his eyes. And, whenever I take his pictures, all he has to flaunt is wide open eyes.. 👀
I've seen that he is usually more alert and aware than my other cat and can detect the slightest of sound and movement easily. However, when it comes to taking the action after being alert, he often delays in it and my other cat acts more quickly.
According to the experts, cat's heightened awareness helps them to cope up with the fear of uncertainty and the potential danger in a better way. That's also what makes their eyes fully dilated, specially if they are alert to their surroundings.
He was born like this.
I brought him at home when he was only two months old. I remember he also had a small dark spot near his nose, which disappeared after sometime.
Looking at him, it was quite easy for me to figure out how alert he always is. He was quick to respond to the sounds, no matter how low and feeble.
And, he also used to spend most of his time learning to climb on the trees and trying to catch the birds there. 🐦🐤 🐦
But, he never succeeded in catching them and always looked disappointed when the birds used to fly 🙀
As the time passed, Cheekoo grew into a proficient hunter with a strong body and courageous heart..🦁 He learned to respond to the outside stimulus faster than ever and became highly skillful at catching everything that moved before his eyes, fearlessly.
I gave him everything he needed to lead a good cat life.. But, as he grew up more and became an adult, he lost all the enthusiasm for ordinary life and obsessively started spending most of his time wandering in the forests, in search of the prey or 'god knows what'..
'Werifesteria' — (v) To wander longingly through the forest in search of the mystery.
'In some mysterious way, woods have never seemed to me to be static things. In physical terms, I move through them; yet in metaphysical ones, they seem to move through me.' — John Fowles
Days passes, but he doesn't come back to the home.
And, when he comes back, he spends most of his time eating, playing and enjoying with Coco who is not yet confident enough to go out with him..
But how long can cats stay at one place? 😀
Soon, It gets boring.. and the urge to wander takes over 🐅
"Uncertainty and mystery are energy of life. Don't let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity." — R. I. Fitzhenry.
So, in the remaining time, he takes coco everyday to the nearby forest..
encourages her to take risks and explore her fears.
And, when they finally get tired, they find a suitable place to sit.. and look toward the deep forest as if it's calling them.
All of it makes me wonder if the only thing they are here for is— to wander and search that unknown mystery buried deep in their hearts.
"Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them." —Jim Davis (cartoonist, Garfield).
Thanks for reading!