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Viewpoint

3. Explore new places with your cat. Brenda
and I spent 5 weeks exploring the American
Southwest last fall. Some of the time I stayed
with my three cousins at her son’s house in
Arizona, but for 2 weeks we traveled together,
just the two of us. My seat consists of a pillow
on top of a plastic tub covered by my favorite
fleecy blanket. This puts me at window height
where I can enjoy the view, soak up the
sunshine, and enjoy numerous catnaps. When
nature calls, I pop through the back window into
the canopied pickup bed where my portapotty is Casanova and his Border Collie friend
situated along with my food and water. What a life!
2. Play! Play! Play! Brenda has a toy fish on an elastic string that I LOVE! It makes her laugh to see my
head follow the fish in clockwise circles, then counterclockwise, then up and down and left to right. I can
really get in some leaps and turns snagging that fish. (My vet says I need more exercise as I gained two
pounds last year.)
1. Cuddle with your cat. I am a real cuddle bum, thus my name. I was the feline that woke up and
climbed down into Brenda’s arms when she came to the humane society to select a kitten. My favorite
time of day is bedtime. Brenda always reads in bed before falling asleep, so I climb on her chest and purr
while enjoying head rubs, ear pulls, and back scratches. When I stand on her chest (forcing her to focus
her vision on only me), she usually says I make a better door than a window.

Conclusion
(Brenda is now taking over the pen.) All levity aside, numerous studies have touted the mental and
physical benefits of pet ownership. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (https://habri.org/)
specifically states that cat ownership can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve heart health, and
alleviate social isolation and loneliness. Moreover,
pets complement other forms of social support
rather than compete with them. Unconditional love
and companionship are powerful positive forces.
However, we pet owners don’t need a study
to tell us the positive side of owning a pet. Many
of my neighbors are single and of “a certain age,”
like me. Our pets are extremely important to our
overall well-being. I even find myself pondering
at times if I should fill out surveys as living in a
household of two!

First Calico © Watercolor Painting by
Sylvia Wingler, North Carolina;
Fall 2023 Art Gallery

Brenda E. Kirk is a member of Iota Chapter in Oregon State Organization, where she serves as World Fellowship Chair. In this role, she
has hosted scholarship recipients from Mexico, South Africa, and Mongolia, providing opportunities for them to meet fellow members,
attend conferences, and visit Oregon’s scenic areas. A retired ESL/bilingual/dual language teacher, Kirk has served in a respite center
for immigrants. brendakirk69@yahoo.com

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