A Satisfied Cat

Posted on October 26, 2023 by mitchteemley

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It’s hoodie weather. I live in t-shirts year-round, but in October I add a hoodie, because in autumn a t-shirt without a hoodie is like tights without a cape. But now, every time I put on my hoodie, I think of our little cat Misha who passed away four months ago. And as I sit hoodied and snug in my winged-back chair, handwritten notes splayed across my lap, I remember…

How, invariably, Misha would come and curl up next to me. How I’d offer her rubs, and then continue working on my Very Significant Project. How she’d begin to purr. And how I’d finally clear away my notes, transfer her to my lap, and melt. During one of those melty moments, I wrote this sentimental bit of fluff:

O, the sound

of a satisfied cat

Was ever a music

more perfect than that?

I know: Cat poem? This probably means I’ll have to turn in my Serious Writer card, not to mention my Manly Man Club certificate (wait, Hemingway was a cat guy!). But then, I never attended the meetings, anyway. And on mornings like this, I’d give anything to have that satisfied little cat back on my lap…

Disrupting all my important plans.

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
This entry was posted in Humor, Memoir, Poetry and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

66 Responses to A Satisfied Cat

  1. Rhonda says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:48 am

    “Melty” moments with a pet are the best!

    Reply
  2. Mike and Kellye Hefner says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:48 am

    It’s so hard to lose a beloved pet. I still miss my little dog, and he has been gone for 10 years. Have a nice weekend, Mitch.

    Reply
  3. Victoria says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:49 am

    Melty moments…in the reading, too, Mitch. Thank you! ❤️

    Reply
  4. Todd R says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:49 am

    Sorry for the loss of your cat. As James Herriot wrote, “No animal is a better judge of comfort than a cat.” We have 2 cats, and one of them treats me like I’m God (the prosperity gospel version).

    Reply
  5. Liz says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:50 am

    I like that poem. Very heart warming.

    I used to be a cat owner. Had several over the years.

    Reply
  6. Andrew Reynolds says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:56 am

    just a note that you don’t have to turn in your Manly Man Club card if you get a dozen cats — that would put you in the Hemingway league, a truly manly man.

    and yes, it’s sad to lose a beloved cat, even for a manly man.

    Reply
  7. joynealkidney says:
    October 26, 2023 at 11:59 am

    lump in throat

    Reply
  8. Helen Devries says:
    October 26, 2023 at 12:05 pm

    So sorry that you have lost your feline friend. Leaves an awful gap in life.

    Reply
  9. sandyroybessandbugzy says:
    October 26, 2023 at 12:05 pm

    A sad, sorry for you! It is remembering that makes for longing. We miss our pets when they pass. Have a good day.

    Reply
  10. Liz Gauffreau says:
    October 26, 2023 at 12:27 pm

    It’s so hard to lose a beloved pet.

    Reply
  11. Sheryl Craig Russell says:
    October 26, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    Misha looks like a little sweetheart! I feel the same way about the last dog we had. She was a golden lab so didn’t snuggle up on our laps, but she would rest her head there and would whine a low little groan when getting petted. Think of her every time I see another lab.

    Reply
  12. wordancerblog says:
    October 26, 2023 at 1:15 pm

    Love the photo, the poem, and the thoughts. I’ve been reading about how a cat’s purr lowers human blood pressure.
    https://vbvh.net/blog/the-therapeutic-benefits-of-a-cats-purr/#:~:text=Notably%2C%20research%20has%20shown%20that,stress%2C%20and%20even%20promote%20healing.

    Reply
  13. joyroses13 says:
    October 26, 2023 at 1:21 pm

    Thanks for sharing that tender memory . We do miss them so much when they are gone. I get choked up about my dog and she is still here! But she is 15 years old and getting harder for her to walk because of arthritis. I know the day will come ….

    Reply
  14. Gary Fultz says:
    October 26, 2023 at 1:28 pm

    I’m not a “cat guy” but somehow, I understand…hoodie weather here too.

    Reply
  15. Paula R.C. Readman says:
    October 26, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    Yes, autumn with a change of clothes here too. I’ve started wearing boots.

    Reply
  16. stumblingfaith says:
    October 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm

    There’s nothing better than a snuggly kitty purring away abd just giving you their pure love. When I wad working my cat would jump on my desk and demand attention regardless of what I was doing. And then when he was satisfied, he’d remain on my desk and look out the window.

    Reply
  17. Discover and Explore says:
    October 26, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    I have been privileged to have owned 4 cats over my life, and they are so amazing to watch, and interact with. Thank you

    Reply
  18. Discover and Explore says:
    October 26, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    Sorry for your loss…

    Reply
  19. Erika says:
    October 26, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    Oh, I am sorry about the loss of your fury sweetheart. We have had a cat since April and I understand well what you mean. It is bittersweet but the memories of being loved so unconditionally are priceless.

    Reply
  20. Pam Webb says:
    October 26, 2023 at 3:29 pm

    Cat’s are purrfect writing companions according to Hemingway, Poe, Dickens, Alcott, and so many other authors!

    Reply
  21. Awakening Wonders says:
    October 26, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    I have heard that cats come into our lives for all sorts of reasons, and they teach us life-lessons we will never forget. So very sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you during this time.

    Reply
  22. Antique Works says:
    October 26, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    I have lost a few pets that were very dear to me too, Mitch. Sometimes I still
    think of them and really miss them. Sometimes cry a few tears too. May our God comfort your mind, body and spirit…..in Jesus name.

    Reply
  23. Celebrate His Love says:
    October 26, 2023 at 5:39 pm

    Totally get it! Just lost our pup after 15 years…and we’re missing those ‘melty moments’ too. You can keep your man card…and especially your ‘tender heart human’ card! Very admirable, I’d say! 🙂

    Reply
  24. Celebrate His Love says:
    October 26, 2023 at 5:40 pm

    Just noticed all the replies… guess writing cat poems & about melty moments is a good way to go! 😅

    Reply
  25. mariner2mother says:
    October 26, 2023 at 6:37 pm

    Aww. There’s something so special about our furry family members. I miss having one around.

    Reply
  26. Nancy Homlitas says:
    October 26, 2023 at 7:29 pm

    Charles Dickens says it best: “What greater gift than the love of a cat.”

    Reply
  27. Vera Day says:
    October 26, 2023 at 8:01 pm

    Aw, a sentimental cat poem!

    Reply
  28. Catsandcoffee says:
    October 26, 2023 at 9:22 pm

    So sorry about your loss. Maybe soon you will decide to get another Furry Family Member. There are a lot that need homes and would probably love snuggling and melting with you.

    Reply
    • mitchteemley says:
      October 27, 2023 at 5:29 pm

      Very true, my friend.
      P.S. I haven’t been able to visit you blog until now because the Like notifications I receive don’t include a link. Adding a link to your Gravatar page should fixt that.

      Reply
  29. Jessiana Naturalista says:
    October 27, 2023 at 1:04 am

    Sorry to hear about your loss of your cat Misha. Your right there is something very special about their sweet little purrs. Love the reference to a t-shirt without a hoodie is like tights without a cape. made me chuckle. Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Dickens were cat people too.. I think your serious writers card is still safe.

    Reply
  30. Kymber Hawke says:
    October 27, 2023 at 10:01 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  31. cher8 says:
    October 28, 2023 at 9:49 am

    I melt into a land of love, hugs and kisses for my cat and when that arrives I will experience a great lost. Now I embrace him with warmth and he is my beloved friend, companion of grace and humility.

    Reply
  32. Wynne Leon says:
    October 28, 2023 at 11:24 am

    Right to the heart, Mitch! RIP, dear Misha!

    Reply

  33. Pingback: A Satisfied Cat – QuietMomentsWithGod

  34. Jeff says:
    October 30, 2023 at 10:33 am

    1. I’m very sorry to hear about your cat. We become quite attached to them.
    2. Do not turn in your “Serious Writer” card.
    3. The “Manly Man Club” is highly over-rated. I canceled my membership at least a decade ago.
    4. I love the poem, and it is spot on.

    Reply
  35. Crystal Byers says:
    October 31, 2023 at 8:26 am

    The was never a music more perfect than that. Rest in Peace, sweet Misha.

    Reply
  36. April says:
    November 1, 2023 at 10:17 am

    Misha 💓 she definitely holds the melty moments and memories close too…

    And i do love a cat poem

    Reply

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