Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 18

Why don't the humans look out the window more? There's so much that goes on out there.

When you look out the same window every day, something fascinating happens: you start to notice patterns. Like the woman with the dog who jogs by before the sun rises, or the man with the stroller who walks by shortly after. These things happened almost every day at the exact same time.

Interestingly, these patterns have all stopped recently. Sometimes I see the woman run by with her dog, or the man with his stroller, but it's sporadic now. I've been trying to catch on to new patterns, but they haven't become clear to me yet. So for now, I'll just keep observing and wait to see how it settles.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 17

The more time I spend with the humans, the more I realize we have in common. Other than their fascination with the clicky boxes, we spend most days doing the same things: we sit by one window or another, eat our meals and then sleep. The snuggle one even naps with me during the day sometimes.

I wonder how different their lives were when they were outdoor humans. Did they feel more free? Did they appreciate the sun, or were they always worried about the outdoor shower? Are they indoor humans now because they want to be, or did another human lock them inside? They don't run out when the door is opened, so I think they've chosen this life. Why would they chose this life?

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 16

8 am
I thought the loud human had been interviewing me everyday because she wanted to get to know me better. I had no idea she was sharing this content publicly. I feel used, and taken advantage of.

This morning she asked me what inspires me. I told her that stinky fish in my bowl inspires me. She just laughed, but I kept a straight face.

I said, "you want content, woman? Then feed me some stinky fish."

She laughed again and just said, "you're talkative this morning, Bubbles!"

Sometimes I feel like we're not even speaking the same language.

11 am
The shower is on outside again today. I decided to sit by the window and watch the water fall. It doesn't scare me so much anymore. If I can survive heartbreak, I can survive a little water on my fur. And yet, my urge to escape and be an outdoor cat has calmed. Don't get me wrong, I still want to explore the world, and meet other cats (maybe I'll even meet that handsome black cat again!), but I think I need to explore and understand what's inside first. Who is Bubbles, and what does Bubbles really want?

12 pm
Stinky fish. Bubbles really wants stinky fish.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 15

Nemo stopped by for the first time in a long time today. I'd been feeling so handsome lately, and had even felt good about that handsome black cat I met the other day. Then just like that, seeing Nemo made me feel weak again.

He said he'd be willing to talk if I could calm down and be sensible. I tried to keep it light, but couldn't help myself; I told him that my love is pure and limitless, and anyone who tries to put restrictions on it, doesn't deserve my love.

He said that maybe I'm right, maybe he doesn't deserve it, and then he turned to walk away. I almost called after him as he walked down my steps, but something held me back.

I don't think Nemo will be stopping by anymore, but that's OK. I need to let go of that handsome one-eyed cat from the great outdoors. I may be a toothless cat with a weak heart, but my ability to love is truly limitless. Indoors or outdoors, only loving freely will set me free.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 14

The loud one kept saying how handsome I am today. She's been taking a lot more photos of me lately. If I'm so handsome, you'd think they'd want to share me with the world...yet they keep me pent up inside.

It seems a disservice to society to not let others look upon my face. They used to have visitors come by to bask in my glory, but even that has ceased. Perhaps the humans got jealous, and decided they wanted to keep me to themselves. Humans can be such selfish animals...

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 13

I walked by a window today, and saw the most handsome cat I'd ever seen. He had these green eyes that pierced the soul, and a beautiful black coat that shimmered in the light. Every time I walked by, he came to me, and looked into my eyes. I'd never in my life felt more understood. For just a moment, I was able to forget about Nemo.

We stared into each other's eyes for hours, and then without speaking a word, we parted ways.

Who was he? Will I ever see him again?

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 12

The shower turned on outside today, and for a moment I was grateful to be inside. It looked wet and scary, and cold. I sat by the window and listened to the water hit the ground, and thought about all of the outdoor cats out there. I wondered where they go when it showers, and if they wished they were indoor cats.

Then, as quickly as the water started, it stopped, and the sun peaked through. The sky was blue again, just like that.

That's when the most amazing thing happened: an arc of color appeared in the sky. I'd never seen anything like it - it was like a reminder that the pain of the shower is not only fleeting, but necessary. Without the falling water, we wouldn't appreciate the sun. And it's the sun and water together that make the color in the sky possible. 

In that moment I longed more than ever to be outside. I would sit in the shower all day if it meant I could feel the breeze against my whiskers, and the sun against my fur once again.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 11

Ever since yesterday, I've been sneezing a lot, and the humans seem concerned. The loud one said she'd look on her clicky box to find out why I'm sneezing.

The snuggle one seems to think this idea is flawed.

She said I might have allergies, and asked if I was fed anything different today. The snuggle one said no, but that I did try to eat the grass when I was outside yesterday.

Then the loud one said that maybe I shouldn't go outside for a while, that maybe I'm allergic to something out there.

Wait, what?

I've had a taste of freedom; I've seen the world through the eyes of an outdoor cat. Now that I know what's possible...there's no going back.

I'm beginning to understand the indoor humans' angst. Once you've felt the breeze, smelt the flowers, and heard the birds, you want to spend your whole life in the sun. I can't go through life not knowing what's on the other side of that fence.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 10

9 am
Now that the humans have been confined to the indoors, I think they've developed more empathy for my situation. They see me looking wistfully out the window, wondering what it would be like to be free. They see the longing in my eyes - the longing to feel the breeze against my face, and to smell all of its fragrances.

Maybe if I'd been a free cat, Nemo wouldn't have left. Maybe he didn't think I would survive out there, and he really was just trying to protect me. I wish I'd been given a chance to prove him wrong.

But more likely, it was just an excuse - he didn't expect me to want to be an outdoor cat. Maybe he even visited other indoor cats, and if I'd been set free, I'd have seen through everything - I'd have seen who he really was.

12 pm
The humans are opening the back door! This is my chance! I'm doing it!

Those smells. There are so many smells. So many plants to sniff and...a fly! I see a fly! Freedom tastes so good!

Wait, they're not stopping me. Are they really letting me go? But what if I can't survive out here on my own? They know I don't have most of my teeth, right?

12:15 pm
It seems that they have some kind of freedom-killing string attached to me. But would I really have gone off if they'd let me? Did I really want to escape, or did I just want to know that it was an option? Isn't that all that freedom really is - knowing that you could make a change if you wanted to?

The humans don't know this, but I could wiggle out of this harness. I won't, for today. But it's good to know that I can.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 9

10 am
The humans seem uncomfortable with being indoor humans. I've been telling them they probably just need a nap, but they keep pacing around the house and moving things around. It seems stressful and unnecessary.

12 pm
The snuggle one finally took a nap with me. The loud one just kept pitter pattering around, talking on her chat box. Where does her energy come from? I hardly see her nap.

6 pm
I never thought I'd say this, but thank god the loud one decided to dance today. She's so much happier when she's dancing, and so much calmer after. Sometimes I dance with her, but I have to be careful not to get too close. Her long hairless limbs fly around with abandon. I've injured a paw on occasion.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 8

I miss Nemo. I saw him on the neighbor's porch the other day, but he didn't stop by to say hi. I tapped on the window to try to get his attention, and for a moment it seemed like he would turn around, but then he just walked away.

I was so sure that Nemo wanted to be with me, but I think he liked that I was trapped inside. It was safe; he always knew where to find me, and yet he still had his freedom to leave and live his own life.

I wonder what it would be like to be an outdoor cat. Nemo talks about it like it's so scary and hard out there. He says that sometimes the shower turns on everywhere, and there's no jumping out of the tub. He says there are dogs and raccoons, and other cats who aren't very nice. Maybe that's why the humans have been inside so much lately. Maybe they just had enough of that crazy outside world; if you stay inside, you never have to be surprised, you maintain control.

I told Nemo that control is an illusion, and that staying inside won't solve anything - that it will just cause more anxiety in the long run. He looked surprised, and said that maybe I was right.

That was weeks ago. I miss those conversations.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 7

Things are going better with the humans. They've been more respectful of my space, and they're feeding me more stinky fish than normal. I think they feel bad about bamboozling me out of my teeth.

The loud one said she's bored today. I don't know how she can spend so much time in front of the clicky box, and then be bored with everything else in life. I brought the orange string to her, thinking it would provide her with hours of entertainment. Lord knows I've lost track of time with that string. But she just laughed and tossed it aside. I brought it back to her, but then she just tossed it away again. She seems amused when I bring it back, but she doesn't have any interest in playing with it. Humans are so strange.

So then I tried to show her how wonderful that one spot in the back of the house is right before sunset. If you lie on the edge of the futon, you get the warmth of the sun for a solid hour. She smiled again when she saw me, but then she just walked away.

How can the humans be so bored when they don't even try to be content?

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 6 (later that day)

Life has been a little rough lately. Nemo hasn't come by the house in over a day, and the humans have been acting weird. They keep talking about this "virus" and getting upset. The loud one gets especially upset, and makes loud noises. I'm starting to think I should have a frank conversation with the snuggle human about kicking the loud one out. Things ran a lot smoother when she wasn't around so much.

To her credit, she did notice that I've been aloof lately, and tried to make amends. She made an apartment for me where I don't have to deal with human nonsense. It's not much, but it's something. I'll accept the olive branch. For now.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 6

This is starting to get weird; I had a routine, a way of life. Now it's all been turned upside down.

First, the humans are home all the time. I liked it in the beginning, but now it's just too much.

Then they get me high, and I wake up without most of my teeth.

Now they've taken the crunchy food from me, and I'm reduced to begging for stinky fish.

What's next? Dogs? I need to put a stop to this before it gets any worse.

I stormed into the nap chamber this morning to give the humans a piece of my mind, but they kicked me out! Kicked me out of my own nap chamber!

The only thing that makes sense in this crazy world is my love for Nemo. The vet lady said I have a weak heart, which is why I had to have two surgeries. Perhaps. But when Nemo's around, every other muscle in my body feels weak, but my heart feels strong.

I told Nemo that we should run away together - that the next time the humans open the door, I'll dash out and meet him in the scraggly bush by the white car.

He didn't respond in the way I expected - he said I should stay inside, that the world is a rough place for a toothless cat.

I told him that none of that matters as long as we're together, that love conquers all.

He told me that I have a lot to learn.

We haven't spoken since, and all of a sudden my heart doesn't feel right. Perhaps the scary vet lady was right; perhaps I'm just a toothless cat with a weak heart.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 5

Well, yesterday was interesting. Wow, I have a headache.

Ever since yesterday, I feel like I have this new understanding of life. Something about those, what did the humans call them, drugs? They really opened my mind.

We're back at the house, and the humans are on their clicky boxes again. Why are the humans so fascinated with these toys? They just "click click click" away at them all day. I don't understand the joy in this. There's so much life to live, so many rooms to explore! So many windows to look out of!

For the first time in my life, I'm wondering where the humans usually go during the day. It's funny how sometimes it takes a change in behavior to notice things. Now that they're here all the time, I wonder what rooms they explored before, and why they don't explore those rooms anymore. Maybe another human peed in them?

While it's been nice having the humans home to give me more pets and playtime, it does pose one inconvenience: my secret love is no longer a secret...

Nemo comes by every day to tell me he loves me. He may only have one eye, but it is the most beautiful eye I have every seen. His depth perception is limited, but the depth of his soul is boundless. Nemo and I are separated by a thin layer of glass, but our love penetrates and persists.

I thought the humans would try to keep us apart, but they seem supportive. Maybe this will be good for us. Perhaps one day they will let us meet, and I can place my quivering paw on his handsome face. He is missing an eye, and I am now missing almost all of my teeth, but where there is love, nothing is missing.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 4

6:30 am
Joy! The humans are already up! They will finally feed me at a reasonable hour.

Stop showering human! Priorities!

Oh no. They're bringing me to the carrier. How could I have forgotten about the carrier...? I will wiggle my way free! But the human's grip is strong...I have lost this battle.

7:30 am
I've arrived at the awful place. It's a different place this time than the last time, but there are still too many dogs. I heard the word surgery again. Maybe if I stay completely still, they won't see me and will forget about this whole thing.

2:30 pm
Well, that wasn't so bad.
Wait. Where are my teeth?
I have no teeth.
Wait, there's one.
OK, I have at least one tooth.
Human is laughing. She says I'm high?
Hardly. I'm not even on top of the dresser. I'll show her.
Whoops...misjudged that jump.

5:30 pm
I want to sleep, but I can't. Too many thoughts and feelings swimming through my mind. Where did that squirrel go after he jumped the fence? Will he be back? Why does he bury his nuts when there's no guarantee of tomorrow?
Maybe I'll try closing my eyes for a bit...

I'm not high, you're high

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 3

10 am
Today the humans seem a little anxious. I don't understand - I haven't seen any ghosts in days (although Gasping George did stop by last Thursday). I can't think of what else would make the humans so on edge. Maybe raccoons? But those guys haven't stopped by the backyard in ages either. I'm pretty sure I scared them off last time with my kill stare. You're lucky I'm an indoor cat, Rocky.

The loud one was talking on her chat box for hours yesterday. She kept saying, "it's just so crazy!" She's been home a lot more lately. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

The snuggle human is home most of the time normally, so that hasn't changed. We snuggle more now though. It's great. The loud one tries to insert herself sometimes, but there's really no room.

The humans said something about "surgery" the other day, and they keep looking at me. I don't like this word. The last time they used it, I went to that awful place with all the dogs. The snuggle human seems concerned that they might cancel some surgery because of some virus. This virus keeps coming up. I'm not sure what's going on, but if it's keeping me from surgery, I'm OK with it.

4 pm
They took the carrier out of the closet. This concerns me. Maybe I should pee in it.

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 2

8 am
The Humans are still in bed, despite my desperate pleas for help. They locked me out of their nap chamber hours ago. They clearly don't understand the gravity of the situation.

The loud one feeds me in the morning. She has so much energy during the evenings, but most mornings I think she's died. She looks awful, and doesn't move for hours. I tried to eat her face once, but she was alive.

9 am
The loud one finally fed me. She's awake, but she still looks awful. I heard her say that she's trying to bathe less. Less than never? I've never seen her lick herself.

12 pm
Again with this extra meal. I'm writhing on the ground because there are no words. Do you not see my pain? No, I am NOT trying to be cute.

5 pm
I disagree with the loud one's decision not to bathe. The house smells more and more like humans every day. Disgusting creatures.

XOXO,
Bubbles

Diary of a Quarantined Cat: Day 1

9 am
My humans have been home more lately. The clicky metal lap-warmers seem to upset them. I try to cover these devices with my body to make the humans calmer, but this upsets them more.

12 pm
The humans eat three times a day? How have they kept this from me? The injustice! No, I will not silence my songs of oppression! Not until I am given the same feeding rights!

3 pm
I tried to nap in the other room, but now the humans seem to want to hang out. They didn't want to hang out with me when I protected them from the clicky box, so they don't get me now. Put me down. Put me down I say!!

4 pm
I have not forgotten about this extra meal that you indulge in. I will accept an early dinner as compensation for my struggles.

Pandemic

The streets are quiet

A silent riot

Perhaps I'll stay inside

It's like a test

The worst and best

Of humanity magnified

The sun still shines

In trying times

Somehow it doesn't mind

So sing a song

And call your mom

But most of all, be kind