It started innocently enough. The sign at Petco for adoption day…telling my husband, “I just want to look.” I meant it when I said it. I love animals. I love going to places where there are animals and spending time with them.
Then I saw her. She seemed to be calling to me. This beautiful 9-month old Siamese Cross with eyes of blue. I couldn’t get to her fast enough. I picked her up and she hugged me. She rubbed against my face and I knew she was coming home with me.
My husband took a little convincing but agreed, and it was a done deal – a deal I couldn’t complete fast enough. I just needed to know she was officially mine. I named her Shanti, which means peace. This is what she brings me. This is who she is.
That was about five years ago. Every day with her is a joy. My love for her runs deep – deeper than any other pet I’ve had and I’ve had my share. When I talk about her, I am so connected I can’t help but get teary-eyed. She stays close to me when I’m home, often following me around. She stands on her back legs and reaches up to me so I’ll pick her up. She showers with me (yes, a cat that loves the water) and sleeps by my head.
I’d never heard of a soul connection with an animal until I met Jodi Menke, a wonderful animal communicator and friend. She shared with me the different types of relationships people have with animals, including the soul connection, and said that is what I have with Shanti. Shanti has taught me a lot about intimacy because of our connection, something that doesn’t come easy to me.
Intimacy is something that I want desperately with others, but have also been afraid of for years. Through her, I’ve created deeper connections with myself and with others. Feeling that relationship with her has made it safer and more comfortable to connect with everyone on a deeper level. For that, I will forever be grateful.
My desire is to make her life wonderful every day. To meet her needs as she meets mine. To bring her joy as she brings me joy. To fill her days with love as she has filled mine. Isn’t that what life is all about, after all?
Hi Michele,
Great article. I love how we can add comments on here now! How fun. Siamese are beautiful animals. We always had Siamese cats in my household growing up.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the kind words. We always had them too! My grandfather bred them for a while. I got my first one at age 2 and had her until I was 16. Sometimes I think Shanti is the same cat, coming to me again:)