Notes from Steve

I’m guilty of watching TikTok … like millions of people.  One continuing story that is in my feed is of this fat orange cat named Garbanzo who was mean, scared, and angry, and she was abandoned by the family that adopted her.  The original foster mom took her back, and the clips I have been watching have been about the process of her slowly starting to trust again.  Plus, they shaved her (the cat) because her hair was all matted and gross.

The story for me is about regaining trust.  The story is about love rehabilitation.  The caretaker uses a voice and behavior that is engaging to Garbanzo and demonstrates the process of how to change angry, scared, and lashing out behavior into wanting love.  (She’s been “showing her belly” which is a good thing.)

Makes me think of how we all want and need validation.  Whether we are a fat, orange, angry, abandoned cat or a person.  Feeling needed and loved is not something that is quickly turned around - it takes time and dedicated attention.  

As we approach the spring and rebirth and we re-emerge from our winter caves, look around and see who needs some extra time and attention and do the right thing and show love.  They might even show you their belly.