Mischief and Wisdom

Stoned on catnip again

Eyes aglow with mischief (just like his Mom)

My life would not be complete without this family member.  This is our cat, Shinigami. The name Shinigami is Japanese, and it refers to their cultural equivalent of the grim reaper.  He was named by a previous caretaker.  I originally wanted to call him Midnight but he only answers to Shinigami or Shini. In actual fact, Shini does suit his personality more than the name Midnight. He is a 7-year old feisty feline furball.


This is the story of how Shini came into our lives.  Seven years ago I had a conversation with one of my co-workers.  My co-worker was telling me that her sister had recently acquired a stray kitten.  Her sister was working in a store along Kingsway when a customer entered with a 2-month old black kitten in their arms.  The customer told her sister that the kitten was trying to cross Kingsway by itself.  My co-worker was looking for a home for the little kitten because they themselves already had too many pets.  Having just lost my previous cat to illness, I said yes without hesitating.


The day came when her sister needed to give Shini to us.  It was painfully obvious that her sister didn't want to give Shini away because she was crying when we met with them.  Shini kept looking over at my coworker's sister with sad, expressive eyes, (almost the shape of gumdrops), as though trying to console her.  She gave Shini to David to take home because I still was at work for the day.


We loved Shini right from the start. He has a larger than life attitude.  He is the only cat I have ever had who is told not to do something, decides that's not the way it is, and comes over to you and swipes at your leg with a defiant look on his face.  *Clearing throat* and in a sarcastic voice, "I have no idea where he would get that attitude from" LOL.  


I received some pearls of wisdom from my wonderful husband, David today.  I wasn't going to go to my TOPS meeting today because I've been on antibiotics, rather sedentary, and felt bloated.  I was afraid that I would be up in weight, and already feeling ashamed. He said, "You have nothing to be ashamed of.  If you start avoiding the scale because you've gained a pound or two then you're allowing your fear to take over.  You need to approach the scale, not in fear, but with a sense that you  are in control.  If you gain one week, take control again, and most likely you will be down the following week. Don't be afraid to be up in weight.  Don't be ashamed."  I Love You, David. Thank you for your support and encouragement <3