An Apology To My Cat

I feel awful. A few weeks back I had written a series of blogs that pertained to the problem I was having with my cat Cody scratching the carpet outside of the door of our bedroom. I was seeking solutions and one of the possible remedies that I had even  mentioned myself was to enlist the aid of aluminum foil, I promptly added  that it "didn't work". It "didn't work" because I didn't use it to deter Cody in the proper way. I was barricading him out of our bedroom and in his interpretation out of my heart.

 I had mentioned that for years I had the comfort and warmth of my first cat Bobo sweetly snoring at the foot of my bed as angelic as a Norman Rockwell painting. I had mentioned that with Cody I couldn't do the same due to Cody's obsession with technology....turning on the printer, prancing on the keyboard and his passion for re-designing workspaces (which translates to swatting and watching objects fly off of my computer desk).

I am ashamed to admit that for most of the days of his young life (he is only 3) it would break my heart to go to the bedroom door at night and shut it trying to shake the image of his "Why Me, Mom?" expression that he had on his face out of my mind. I was guilt-ridden. Here am I a self-professed cat lover (make that animal lover as well) and I was banishing one of the loves of my life out of our "nest". It was ripping my guts out.

Duh!! The solution finally came to me, it is awful that it was right before my eyes and I hadn't seen it.  Bedtime began by giving him a 1/4 cup of his dry food (suggestion from the vet because Cody is food obsessed), put some in my home made "Kong" (a plastic container with holes punched at the top, put some of the kibble inside and it makes Cody have to work to get it out, I call this his "Adventure Food"). Take the aluminum foil, put it on top of my computer desk and on the printer and see what happens. Since the first night I tried this tactic (at least a week ago) it is as if I have a "new" cat. Cody is thriving being cut-off from his technological obsession. My independent "little man" immediately started snuggling and cuddling by my side, eagerly accepting the sweet coos and petting that he was missing at night time for oh so long......I can now sleep peacefully and guilt-free without the image of his questioning eyes haunting me into slumber. I apologize dear Cody for not recognizing the solution that was there all along! There is no longer a need to barricade the bedroom door, the door has been opened, just like my eyes.