Sambuca The Cat

Most of the time my thoughts lead me to compare life in Duck to life elsewhere. Sometimes life elsewhere comes to Duck. We've adopted Sambuca the cat. Back story as I understand it: Service member in Alaska has dog, cat and significant other. Family of four moves to Nags Head or surrounding area. Service member's deployment is eminent, relationship with significant other falls apart, dog and cat find themselves in Dare County animal shelter. Pet Smart in Nags Head has feline/shelter gallery at check-out. Murray Family is at Pet Smart to purchase clipper blade for shaggy dog. Murray family deliberates: diet Pepsi or fluffy white giant cat. Cat requires application...anyone can buy a Pepsi...Murray family opts for cat, delays Osteoporosis. That was Sunday. Today is Thursday, Sambuca came home. Fluffy white cat, new fluffy white cat bed, food dish, etc in downstairs bathroom. Cat loves to be brushed. Resident cats accept, grudgingly, presence of new cat. Dog sees opportunity in additional food bowl. I often struggle when confronted with service members. I feel compelled to say thank you. I may not agree with the mission, but I am indebted to those who volunteer to serve and do our nation's dirty work. What's more, I think I have some understanding of what it means to serve in service to your comrades rather than any "cause." I've heard interviews with soldiers though that lament the awkwardness of the obligatory, "thank you for your service," no matter how sincere. If this man cared for his cat, like I care for mine, or my dog, I feel totally comfortable saying instead, I'll take care of your cat. Love can be a fickle beast-complicated by the participants. Pets though, when approached meaningfully and responsibly can transcend love. Pets are a testament to partnership. I will do x consistently in exchange for you doing y consistently. It's not the exchange that is sacred, it is the consistency. I will feed you and keep you safe, I appreciate your affection and availability in return. The relationship is elegant in its simplicity. Hopefully the thank you is elegant in it's simplicity. I appreciate your service, but I don't need to say that. What I will say instead is: I will care for your cat, as you did. He will be a member of our family. I will keep him safe.