Sophie's World

One of the most difficult challenges of summer is ensuring that your pets stay cool despite the hot temperatures of a summer day. Now there is a way to make sure Fido is well hydrated. Welcome Doggie Fountain!

The self-serve fountain attaches to your hose. When Fido is ready for a drink, he trips the fountain by stepping on the metal activation pad. No more will Fido have to sweat it out when it’s time for a cool drink.

Photo by isotonic

For anyone that knows cats, you can’t not know about one of the coolest cats around. I’m speaking of Garfield, of course. Welcome to Garfield the Cat Day!

The tongue in cheek humor of Garfield is most appreciated among cat owners. We understand all too well. Garfield isn’t just a cat, but an ideology. He is the epitome of catdom.

These are the secrets every cat knows and keeps. This is the rulebook for how cats behave.

Take a good look at your cat today. You may just detect that knowing look.

Don’t even think about it. Just do it. Celebrate Hug Your Cat Day by giving your cat a big hug.

Celebrate the joy she brings into your life, the unconditional love, the trust. Celebrate those bizarre moments when she chases pixies in your living room. Celebrate those days when she won’t leave your side and demands to be held.

Celebrate her wackiness, her quiet, her poise. Celebrate those days when she just seems to know that you need a hug.

Celebrate those days when she won’t stop talking or those days when you have to search for her. Celebrate when she dogs your every move or sleeps on your computer keyboard. Cherish and love your cat for all the joy she brings into your life.

Photo by Hob

This month hits upon a subject close to home. For us, our lives are so enriched because we made the decision to bring Sophie into our home. Welcome to Adopt-a-Cat Month!

I won’t harp on about the sobering statistics of abandoned cats. Rather, I will tell you about the benefits of owning a cat. If you have a cat, you will immediately understand. The relationship you have with a cat is different than that of a dog. Trust is a vital component. A dog will learn to trust and obey you with a few snacks. Cats need time to make a decision.

Sophie and I have a special bond. Every evening, she curls up on the couch with me, trying to get as close as she can. When I go to sleep at night, she is at my side, next to my heart. She communicates with us through a variety of special calls, coos, and sounds.

She lets me play with her teeth, her face. She takes food from my hand. Ours is a relationship of trust.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t dislike dogs. I adore them. I enjoy the nuances of the relationship that you can have with each of the pets. Sophie and I have been able to forge a bond like none that I have had with any other pet. For that, I will be grateful all of my days.

Photo by ilco