Diary of a Quarantined Cat: A Curious Suitor

Hi Bubbles,
Yes, you are not mistaken, this letter is from a dog... I wrote to you a while ago, so maybe you remember me, but I don't think you have the picture of me, so here it is...
Every night, before I go to bed, I read your diary. I have to admit that you are the most handsome cat I've ever seen! Also, the photographs in your blog are amazing...
Anyway, I wanted to offer my friendship to you... Yes, I am a dog, and you do not like dogs. But I am a small very friendly dog, and I am sure that when this quarantine is over, we could happily play with each other. It certainly helps that our humans are friends! Do you think this would be possible?
Regards,
Pepper

Dear Pepper,

I must admit, I was surprised by your letter. My initial reaction was to throw it out. I thought that it was either a cruel joke, or if it was real, that you were just completely daft. Why would a dog want to spend time with a cat? Our feud is centuries old and possibly the most famous inter-species feud out there.

However, something inside me didn't allow me to throw the letter away. I felt like I was ignoring something - taking the easy way out. I looked more closely at your picture, into your eyes specifically, and felt a warmth and a kindness. This letter wasn't a joke, and you're not daft. In fact, it was I who was daft in judging so quickly and jumping to unfounded conclusions. It's reactions like mine that perpetuate this feud. Something inside me didn't want your letter to be real. Perhaps because it's easier to hate you, so that I can measure myself against "the other" in moments of self-loathing and low self-esteem. If everything is relative, is it not necessary to degrade others to lift myself up? I'd built my life around this unconscious assumption, and in one letter, you tore it all down.

Pepper, I would love to meet you. I like to play, but don't be scared, I promise that it's always "claws-in." I do bite, but playfully, and am missing most of my teeth anyway. I need space sometimes, and a lot of sleep, so I need a partner who is independent and empathetic. If this sounds like it could work for you, let me know! It wouldn't be the craziest thing to happen this year.

XOXO,
Bubbles