Lima Beans, Giraffes, and Fishes
Mornings With Maddox (Story 3)
Does your cat have a favorite toy?
Ever since Maddox was a kitten, he has held on to a favorite stuffed giraffe named George. It is the kind of old-fashioned toy that has crinkle paper inside of it, so it is squishy, but not overly so. He inherited this from his “sister” cat and it had been passed down from two generations.
Maddox has his own mini toy box and a little play area in my office where he likes to hang out while Mom works from home. I recently moved most of his daily toys in there for him so that he could have a little zen space where he could be comfortable and just be a cat. It is the equivalent of a child’s room, and maybe a little extra, but I do consider him family and this is his home too.
I’ve often caught Maddox snuggling with some of his favorite plushies, and he often takes a little stuffed lima bean, and a catnip fish to bed each night. I find it endearing to see him carry his toys to bed and he chooses which one he wants.
I can fondly recall that when I was feeling ill, or under a lot of stress, Maddox would hop up beside me and place a toy next to my pillow, he was sharing what made him feel better in an effort to “help.”
After recently recovering from kidney surgery, upon returning from the hospital, not only did I receive lots of purrs, I also became the guardian to his beloved stuffed lima bean.
I’ve never felt more loved.
God bless our pets.