Reunions…. The Stuff Movies Are Made Of

You know how it happens. You are winding through a crowded venue. Suddenly, and most unexpectedly, you find yourself face to face with someone from your past. It can be a welcome meeting, which leads to an exchange of contact information, and possibly even a renewed relationship. Sometimes! Of course, it can be… and often times is…equally unpleasant. The same crowded venue. You turn to find yourself inescapably forced to be civil with an ex spouse or significant other.

We’ve all experienced our share of the good, the bad, and the unfortunately ugly reunions. Any one of these could doubtlessly supply interesting column material. But that would be too easy.
For anyone who has lived a life requiring multiple relocations, you quickly come to understand the difficulty in maintaining friendships and relationships. At some point, you just have to admit to yourself you’re going to have to end some relationships you’d rather not, but know it’s for the best.

After one too many heartbreaks, you realize you can no longer share life with a pet. Long hours apart are tough, especially on the pet, left to entertain themselves in a quiet and suddenly lonesome home. Often times a slow learner, I came to this realization finally, about three or four moves ago. Long hours and extended travel required my cat, Baby, to spend far too much time alone.

Fortunately, I have a sister who is an animal lover, specializing in cats. At any given time, Ramona’s cat ranch is home to anywhere from five to fifty cats. While that might be a bit of an exaggeration, these cats have come of their free will, checking in after no doubt having heard of the deluxe accommodations from passing cats who have stayed there previously.

But, Baby is a special cat. She was mine. I won’t deny pampering her just a bit. We won’t discuss any specifics that might prove embarrassing. A phone call, explaining the situation, was all it took to convince Ramona to come for Baby in the cat limousine. Baby was to have a new home in the penthouse suite.
Fast forward now to last week, when I made a visit to Ramona and family. Having been quite some time since Baby had become privileged resident, I didn’t expect to see her on this visit. If so, I wasn’t sure she would remember me. Cats have somewhat unjustly been tagged as being fickle. So, I had braced myself for that possibility.

After initial pleasantries, we had gathered in the front room, when it happened. Baby regally entered the room. There it was. That look of surprise in an unexpected meeting. Although, not exactly a remake of the reunion scene from “The Sound of Music”, it wasn’t far from it.

Pets have that certain way they like to be petted, caressed, or scratched behind the ear. Baby, being no different, walked right up to me, positioning herself for her favorite scratching. It was the kind of scene movies are made of. Well…maybe not exactly. I did, however, have to resist the urge to tell her I was there to ask her back into my life. As a matter of fact, I had just dropped to my knee to appropriately begin the proposal, when Baby chose to distractedly leave the room.

What can I say? Cats can be fickle.