Whiskers And Wonders

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Growing up, I never understood the fascination with cats. Everything about them scared me. Unlike me, my siblings were big fans of cats. Whenever we went to our grandma’s, they’d play with the cats while I watched them from afar. I remember avoiding cats at all costs and never allowing my siblings to bring one home as a pet, despite their love for them. It was as if my whole family was under a spell, and I was the only person immune to it. I wasn’t just put off by their cat’song whiskers, piercing eyes, and creepy stares, my distaste was also influenced by the African folklore that surrounded them.

I still remember the story my elementary school teacher told us. We were young and our hearts were pure. We pretty much believed anything our teachers told us. According to her story, a family tried to get rid of their cat because it made weird noises at night. So, they put it in a nylon, drove to another state, and threw it into the bush. To their surprise, when they drove back home, they found the cat in front of the house staring at them. This story haunted me for days. To make matters worse, when I got home that day, my sister brought my friend’s cat to our house. Immediately I opened the door, she threw the cat at me and it jumped onto my face. I must have been around 8 years old at that time. I remember feeling its sharp claws dig into my skin, and its hot breath on my face. That incident heightened my dislike for cats.

As I grew older, I came to understand that the spooky stories my elementary school teacher told us about cats were mere superstitions to instill fear in us. However, despite this, I still couldn’t overcome my fears. I still found myself hesitant to get close to cats. The childhood fear had taken a firm grip and I knew it would take a lot to get rid of it.

However, my mindset about cats completely changed when I met Damilola. Damilola and I are like two sides of the same coin. We both love pets, just not the same animals. She is a die-hard cat lover, while I am a dog person. Interestingly, our perspectives were as a result of our childhood experiences. While I had a terrifying experience with cats, Damilola had a similar experience with dogs. When she was young, she was chased by two Ekukes (a Nigerian dog breed.) They didn’t stop until she fell down. Luckily, people were there to chase them off. Despite our differences, that didn’t stop our friendship from blossoming. Our shared understanding helped us create a perfect bond.

We enjoyed teasing each other about our pet preferences. We’d jokingly argue about whether cats or dogs made the best pets. Sometimes our arguments would get heated, but we still respected each other. It is safe to say Damilola is obsessed with cats. Her favorite breed is the Maine Coon. Before I met her, I didn’t know that cats could grow that big. She showed me a Maine Coon that was almost the size of my 4-month-old German Shepherd. Damilola’s phone is filled with countless cat videos. She posts cat videos every day on her social media platforms. Most of her belongings are also cat-like. Her loafers, bedsheets, teddies, wallpapers, and even her phone pouch, are all adorned with cat designs.

Although I haven't completely overcome my fear of cats, Damilola has helped me realize that they are sweet pets, and there's nothing to be scared of.

This is my entry for the INLEO monthly prompt. Day 9. The topic is; Today is cats day! Show us your experience with felines, our loves for our pet cats or even other experiences you have, with the focus on the emotion your story makes you feel.