Written by Laura Hamlett Sunday, 22 January 2006 14:49

We're wrapping up another month's production and, watching my cat Mia leap from floor to keyboard to monitor, I just realized something. I think I've set a record. I went an entire production cycle without threatening bodily harm (i.e., the chopping of the tail) to Mia.

Really, I'm not a violent person, not at all. And my soft spot for animals is softer than it is for people (but I'm working on it; honest); ask anyone who knows me. Mia's a fabulous cat: she always tucks herself neatly next to me when I sleep, actually sings to her toys and talks to me, and has fewer hairballs or milk allergies than the other cats.

I guess I can admit it: Mia adores me. Sometimes her adoration is more than I can take, as when I'm working and she insists on demonstrating her love. This usually consists of the following: (1) direct eye contact; (2) vocalization; (3) positioning herself on my lap and rubbing her entire face against mine. This can go on for five or ten minutes at a time and, well, I'm a very task-oriented person. So sometimes it gets frustrating. I set her on the floor. She jumps back up. I set her on the floor. She jumps back up. Repeat until I lose my temper.

She's got another neat little trick, too. She often sits or naps on top of my computer monitor (she's attracted to warm electronic surfaces like this). When she's feeling ornery—and, dammit, I know she does it with absolute intention—she lets her tail drop in front of the screen. And flicks it mockingly back and forth.

But she really didn't play too many flicky games with me this weekend, and the love—well, I'm working on gratitude. I mean, the adoration of a cherished pet is a good thing, right? I just need to see it as my time to take a break and bask in the love.

Yeah, right. That usually doesn't work ... but this weekend it did. I think I deserve some ice cream for that achievement.