How a Cat Improved My Self-worth

Thanks Inspector and Farewell

We had four Farm Supervisors at the Genuine Faux Farm as we entered 2024, and it looks like we will have four Farm Supervisors as we exit the year that was. Unfortunately, our staff is not populated by the same set of cats as it was in January. We have a new feline that is auditioning for a position after getting dumped at or wandering to the farm around Thanksgiving. And, at some point this summer, the Inspector moved on to the next plane of existence.

Usually, when a farm cat completes its ninth life, the farmers are never certain when or how they met their demise. And that was true of the Inspector. He wasn’t a very old cat and he was in reasonably good health. He had a bit of a limp on cold days and was getting a little grumpier because he never quite accepted Murphy and he definitely was not on the best of terms with Hoover. Otherwise, he was appreciated by both of us and I am pretty sure he knew it.

Happily, we also knew he appreciated us.

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Picture of the Genuine Faux Farm Supervisory Crew in June 2024

Tammy and I agreed when we started living in the country that we would establish some ground rules for how we would deal with farm cats. We would try to provide shots and medical care for any feline that spent time at the farm. But, if they wanted regular food and any additional perks, they would have to be friendly with humans - especially the farm humans.

If any particular cat ran away every time we approached, that was their choice. We figured they would do the same if we had a gathering of people at the farm. But, the cats that approached humans had to understand that we would not accept actions on their part that led to “tales of woe” coming from visitors. This was especially true when we had numerous children (and adults) attending our regular farm gatherings.

Usually, we’ve had a crew of two to four cats every year at the farm. And, interestingly enough - and not surprising to me - each Farm Supervisor brought their own style and preferences to the Genuine Faux Farm. Doughboy was a bit of a rakish, yet likeable, fellow who really knew how to enjoy life - even during difficult times. Cubbie would unabashedly drool and show great amounts of pleasure any time she received a good skritching - but don’t let that fool you, she was a mighty huntress. Mrranda was a bit of a diva that knew she was the best looking critter this side of whatever thing you wanted to use as a boundary. The Sandman hitched rides with the farmer, dispensed feling wisdom, and served as our Spokescat for many seasons.

The Inspector? Well, he is the only cat that was born on our farm that stayed with us. Others, like Murphy and Soup, were likely dumped on a country road near our house by someone who didn’t want them anymore. Unlike some cats who are abandoned in this way, these cats were fortunate.

And now, in honor of the Inspector, a most excellent cat, I will share something I wrote about him a few years ago. It’s a story about how he helped me to improve my own sense of self-worth.

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The Inspector was always cooler than I was - yes, he could do visual puns

I opened the door to the farm house to go out and perform the end-of-the-day farm chores. The sun was sitting on the horizon and the air was heavy with the beginnings of a mist in the surrounding corn and soybean fields.

As I closed the door, I looked out to the north and watched while the Inspector took note of my appearance. First, he lifted his head quickly - showing a great deal of interest. Then, he leaped from his resting place and bounded around and over obstacles in an effort to get to my location as fast as he possibly could. It was apparent that he was actually very happy to see me. And, as the distance between us rapidly shrank, he started talking to me, telling me about his day and how a good "skritch" would really be appreciated right now.

Cats are not known to go anywhere - especially towards a human - at speed. Instead, they tend to figure out how to show just enough interest to prevent you from giving up on them.... but nothing more. Inspector normally followed that feline playbook, but he knew himself and he knew his humans. Somehow, he was aware that this was a good day to give this human a boost.

Of course he got that skritching. And, of course, I listened politely while he let me know about the mouse he chased around the granary and the excellent beam of sunshine he had the good fortune to find so he could nap well this afternoon. I even made certain to tell him that it was "ever so nice to see him, and that I was glad he had a good day." And, I wasn’t exaggerating in the least.

I really was glad the day had been a good one. And I was exceptionally pleased that he shared some of that goodness with me. It was something I was in need of at that moment. Like most people, I go through periods where I wonder if I bring much value to the world around me. Things in life were feeling a bit heavy and difficult to bear. If I let it, thoughts of that sort can form a cold, hard block in my chest - pushing my self-worth into a corner where it can spend time to doubt itself.

I can only hope that everyone experiences the feeling that you get when another living being shows pleasure that you are present. It has the power to melt that chunk of ice and give you back that space you need to be who you are.

And so, I share this lesson brought to us by Inspector, the most excellent of felines and Farm Supervisor extraordinaire. You, too have the power to lift someone else up. Be willing to show others that you are genuinely pleased to see them.

I’m glad you took the time to read and consider my words today. On behalf of the Inspector, I hope an excellent beam of sunshine provides you with an opportunity to take a most excellent nap or whatever other thing that gives you pleasure.