Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "cat"

For those of you who have read my book or know me personally, what I'm about to say won't come as a huge surprise.
Behind this gruff, snarly, outspoken, irreverent exterior, there actually beats a heart of gold. And as I write this, that heart aches for a man I've never met, for his family... and for his dog.
I came across his story while surfing the Internet this morning. It is a tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a pet, and with those of us who have had to make the terrible, heart-breaking decision about when and how to let our companion go.
Massachusetts State Trooper Christopher Coscia recently penned a moving tribute to his late K9 partner, Dante, that has garnered national media attention. As Coscia tells it, he and Dante worked side by side for 70 hours per week for nine years. Together they fought crime, caught their share of bad guys and formed a bond that few can understand.
But in the end, it wasn't a criminal, but a cruel and unexpected illness that ended Dante's career, and left his human partner with no choice but to end his suffering.
In need of comfort as I finished reading, I immediately turned to my best friend, who was curled up on my bed in the next room. Leaning over, I buried my head in his fur and listened to the reassuring thrum of his purr. I am sure Eli had no idea what made me so upset, or why his coat was getting soaked with tears. But he made no move to get away; a flick of his tail was the only sign he was perturbed.
It it is not the first time I have cried on his shoulder and I'm sure it won't be the last. But inevitably there will come a time when my 14-pound "pit bull in a cat costume" will no longer be here to provide such comfort. There will come a time where he will no longer climb on to my desk to "edit" my stories, or play with his blue ribbon. There will come a time when I will look under the Christmas tree and see the place where he once loved to sleep.
That is the time I dread. These are the times I cherish.
Tears are falling on my keyboard.
Until next time, "That's life..."

This week, I'm taking a page out of Eli's book. After all, there's nothing that he loves more than curling up with his favorite person (me) and and some good reading material. Don't believe me? Just look at him! Anyhow, in the interest of lightening things up a bit, with tongue in cheek, I hereby present Eli's all-time favorite books...
_________________________________________


10. The Cat in the Hat
9. Stuart Little
8. James Herriot's Cat Stories
7. Diary of a Cat
6. Dear Tabby: Feline Advice on Love,
Life and the Pursuit of Mice
5. Everything Here is Mine: An
Unhelpful Guide to Cat Behavior
4. All I Need to Know I Learned from
my Cat
3. The New Yorker Book of Cat Cartoons
2. How to Talk to Your Cat
1. The Intelligent Cat

...Oh, Eli also loves classical music. His favorite composer is Johann Strauss and his favorite operetta is "Die Fleder-Meows!" (Cue groan and rimshot...)
Until next time, "That's life..."

January 1 is a very important day at our house. We don't just celebrate the beginning of the new year around here. We also celebrate Eli's birthday.
For those of you keeping score at home, he just turned nine.
Of course, I'm not sure whether he's on his "first" life or his "ninth." But any way you slice it, he's definitely been through a lot.
So, with tongue in cheek, I present Eli's guide to longevity and happiness in 2015.
1. Read.
2. Get plenty of rest.
3. Eat only the finest foods.
4. Meditate.
5. Spend plenty of time with family.
6. Avoid stress.
7. Play.
8. Exercise.
9. Do not work too hard.
10. Find joy in simple things.
11. Bask in the sunshine.
12. Ignore negativity.
13. Appreciate true friends.
14. Forgive those who have used or betrayed you.
15. Stand up for yourself.
16. Bite and scratch (fight) only as a last resort.
17. Take pride in your appearance but do not succumb to vanity.
18. Take nothing for granted.
19. Never forget how awesome you truly are.
20. Live.
Until next time, "That's life..."

The following is written in celebration of National Best Friends Day.
With apologies to my human pals (and believe it or not, I do have some), none of you will get a mention in this blog. It's not that you don't deserve it. You know you do.
But in honor of National Best Friends Day, I decided to dedicated to dedicate this blog to Eli. After all, he's never trash talked me behind my back. He's never spread any rumors or engaged in malicious gossip (that I know of). He's never betrayed me and never doubted my devotion to him.
He's a great listener; he sits quietly as I tell him about my day, or rant about politics or sports.
He's always been a shoulder to cry on, even though I know how much he hates getting wet.
He's not all that demanding, either. All he ever asks for is food, water, and a little affection once in a while.
That's not to say we always get along. We've had our share of disagreements and sometimes I get the worst of it. But Eli doesn't hold a grudge... and I try not to. Even if I do, it doesn't last for long.
In case you haven't figure it out, Eli is my cat. He's also my best friend.
Until next time, "That's life..."

Poor New York. Better yet, poor old New York City.
It just keeps getting dumped on.
First Ted Cruz calls The Donald out on his "New York Values." Then a blizzard dumps a few inches of snow on the place.
Talk about a rough couple of weeks.
Please don't get me wrong. Please don't stop reading in disgust. This is not a political commentary. Frankly I couldn't care less about Cruz and I'm hardly a fan of The Trumpster -- or whatever he is calling himself these days.
I am a proud child of the New York City suburbs and an admitted New York City snob. I make no apologies for either. Frankly there is nothing for which to apologize.
Are you offended yet? If so. Too bad. That's your decision. I have no control over your reactions.
The truth of the matter is that I hold a dual citizenship and I am fairly well traveled. I've been all over western Europe and I've been to Australia more times than I can count. I also lived in Virginia for nearly nine years and have seen a good chunk of the United States -- at least the East Coast.
As far as I am concerned New York City is the single greatest city on the face of the planet. Full stop. Period. End of discussion.
That's not to say it's perfect. It's hot and humid in the summer and freezing in the winter. It is dirty, gritty and overcrowded. There's nothing quite like the smell of the subway in mid-July or the sight of garbage bags spilling onto the sidewalks on the weekends.
It is ridiculously expensive.
It can be dangerous... and if you're not careful, it will swallow you whole and then spit you out. It is not a place for the weak or timid.
It is a place where stars are born and dreams die.
The people are... egotistical, brash and perhaps a bit gruff, to put it mildly. But the singular quest for survival in America's biggest and toughest concrete jungle leaves little time for pleasantries among each other much less polite chitchat with tourists. We'll happily take their money, though.
And yet beneath the surface, in a place few seldom see, lies a collective heart of gold. New Yorkers are generous. They are kind. They are loyal. When the proverbial chips are down, they put their own needs and differences aside to help each other out. That got lots of press when it happened after 9/11 and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. It happens all over the City everyday, but for the most part it goes unnoticed then.
It happened when my car broke down in the middle of The Bronx a few years ago. I was driving home from Virginia with my cat along for the ride. Much to my disgust, the alternator went kaput and I was stranded.
As I called 911 in a panic, several people stopped to offer assistance. They helped get my car to the shoulder and offered to call 911 themselves. Some asked if I was OK, and offered to call a tow truck. Some offered to keep me company until it arrived.
In one way or another, they all had my back -- and it didn't come as a surprise.
Until next time, "That's life..."