So tonight my friend Rob who lives across the street from me in Queens came over to chill out and watch the NBA draft. He fed my cat Copper for the whole time I was visiting my brother in Seattle, so he’s a good dude. Copper is really shy, and she doesn’t trust anyone except me. But Rob said that she came out for him a bunch of times when he fed her.
The Knicks had just selected Kevin Knox from Kentucky with the 9th pick when Rob rang the buzzer. I buzzed him in and we watched the coverage of Knicks fans’ reaction to the pick. A lot of fans were booing, and they had the same kid who booed Porzingis three years ago at the draft on camera with his dad. He was booing again.
We watched some more of the draft, and then we both went into the bedroom to check on Copper. She was sitting in her new favorite spot on top of a pile of my clothes on a chair in the corner of the bedroom.
I said “hey Copper, hey beautiful, come on out into the living room and hang out with us.”
She eyed us both, but made not motion to leave her spot. Like I said, she’s really shy.
We went back into the living room and watched some more of the draft.
About a half hour later Copper came into the entryway to the living room and just kind of sat there and observed us.
Clearly she was a little shy around Rob, but I also took this as a great sign that she was comfortable enough to be in the same room with both me and another person. It was a big step for her.
Eventually Rob headed home, and the first round of the NBA draft ended. That’s the only round that matters anyway, so I was done with TV.
I went into the bedroom to check on Copper, and there she was, lying on her side, eyes heavy-lidded from sleepiness, on top of the pile of clothes on the chair.
I said “hey Copper, hey sweetheart” and I leaned over to pet her, and I extended my hand underhanded palm up. She rubbed her face against my hand, and then it was on. I pet her on her back, and on her side, and on her cheek, which she loves.
Then I lay on the corner of my bed in my usual spot and extended my arms down and pet her on the floor some more. It was great, it was absolutely fantastic. I could feel my blood pressure lowering and my heart rate slowing.
And then something incredible happened. She extended her front paws up onto the top of the bed, and she meowed for a few seconds. I said “yes Copper, come up her Copper, yes Copper, come up here sweetheart.”
Then in one lightning quick movement she pounced from the floor onto the bed, and she was walking around right next to my face.
This was great. We’ve made so much progress in forming a closer relationship since I adopted her from the shelter eight months ago. We hang out together a lot now, and I pet her all the time.
But she’s still very shy about being on the couch and the bed with me. I’m not sure why, but I think it has something to do with elevated spaces. Maybe she feels too vulnerable being that close to a human on an elevated, confined space.
Or maybe she doesn’t feel like she’s worthy enough to be on the couch or the bed with me. Which would be crazy, because I love her with all my heart and she can go anywhere in my apartment that she wants.
But whatever the reason, she’s been shy about it. So her being on the bed with me tonight is positively elating. I say “yes Copper, good girl, come her Copper, good girl.”
She walks over to me and I pet her for maybe five seconds on the bed. Then she walks toward the end of the bed, looks at me for a moment, and jumps back down to the floor.
Aaargh! This was just getting good.
I stay on the bed for another couple minutes, petting her while she’s on the floor.
And then suddenly, boom! She jumps up onto the bed again.
She seems hesitant though, like she’s out of her element. But even so, she’s actively working to overcome her fear, which is great. She lets me pet her for a few seconds on the bed. Then she jumps back down to the floor again.
I pet her for a few more minutes while she’s on the floor, and when it’s clear she’s not coming back onto the bed again, I say “good girl, that was great Copper. This is your house as much as it is mine. Go wherever you want and do whatever you want. Just be free Copper. Just be free.”
Then I head back into the living room to check out some more sports, and I think about making a sandwich.
All in all, it was a good night with Rob, and a truly incredible night with Copper.
She’s the best. Thank you Copper for making my life so much more rich.
I’ll try to make your life as good as you’ve made mine.
