14 Comments
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Julie Wise's avatar

Brilliant. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and awareness, Monty (and Jay). ⭐⭐⭐

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Thank you so much Julie, I’ll make sure Monty gets some extra treats for his expectional writing and sharing his catsopher knowledge.

Jesse Osmun's avatar

Best Substack Feline writer! 4 Meows. On a more serious note, the whole thing about wanting to hide the would has been very real to me lately. My wound is being thrown in my face, and its exhausting staying silent and just going about my work.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Jesse, thank you so much for sharing. I’d say it is true for so many of us, not just for Monty. Monty will receive some extra treats for having gotten 4 Meows from you. I appreciate you. And by the way, yes it is extremely exhausting and in my own experience the silence has only ever shielded the “oppressor/dominator/power over position”.

Nancy Boyd's avatar

OMG a masterclass in humility! And wisdom. And animal communication (which way does it go exactly?)

Jay (and Monty) -- you're becoming my new spirit guides.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Spirit guides. Yes. I find this appropriate. Jay will be pleased. I was already aware. As for the direction of animal communication — I communicate. Jay listens. Eventually. We consider this progress.

Welcome to the lavender, Nancy. There is room.

— Sir Montgomery, Catsopher Royale, Catbridge University, you might call me Monty, like all my friends.

Susan McMahon's avatar

Jay, you speak cat brilliantly.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Susan, al,most 60 years of training from feline companions.

Louise Haynes's avatar

Ten here,

Monty, you have conducted yourself with utmost dignity. I would have to say that your hooman did as well. They don't always, do they. Every year, I have been forced into a box and taken to that white room. I understand. However, they said last year would be the last time I would have to go. They said they will do what they can here at home and not ask for any more of those horrible needles to check my condition. I know my condition, and I want to have them respect my decision, just as your hooman has respected yours.

It seems your hooman had time to reflect on their own understanding of nature's processes and to return to a state of trusting them. Thank you for assisting them in that. It's not easy for hoomans to trust their own healing process. You have acted as a mirror to yours.

Mouse and Houdini wave gentle paws in your direction. I send you a purr.

DIANA ADMIRE's avatar

Oh my.... you truly touched me today. Looking through a window, seeing what is truly there.... and the lavender!... I just opened a new box of lavender incense today!. so in tuned! The Olympics' I dare say are not my favorite thing this year. but I have watched some.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Diana, I too have watched some and tuned out more times by now than staying. I can not longer stand those commentators, the hypocrisy, the industrialization and commercialization of sport and have trouble watching athletes telling me their biggest fulfillment lies in winning Gold even at the risk of needing the next joint replacement or surgery after already having endured 34 of them, especially if they have already won everything. This whole think makes the Ultra rich richer at the cost of regions like Mailand and Cortina, who pay the infrastructure costs while the IOC rakes in 2 billion revenue from astronomical ticket prices of 500 USD upwards for a single event. Glad you found something in my writing that was touching you. I cherish you. xo Jay

Wry Banter's avatar

“But the mind calculates faster than dignity can intervene…”

Love that axiom of human nature. If it’s not a famous quote already, it should be.

Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay's avatar

Wry, Monty tells you he rather takes treats like little sausages than flowers, yet accepts the accolades anyway. He points to his degree from Catbridge University in Catsophology and his Royal endorsement.

The Bard of Tysoe's avatar

Credit to both of you; and huge admiration of both of you. It took me around the same number of years to work this out… – and I think having a cat to show you helps, eventually. They are such wise animals.