Aging Cactophile Monarch

Have you ever noticed how the letters for the word cat are in the word cactus? For me, that is only appropriate because my kitty cat companion, Taco, is a genuine cactus lover. She has a fondness for all the cacti I have spread throughout the house. I am constantly picking cat hair off my cacti because she uses them to brush her hair!

It's almost painful to watch her gently rub her face across the very sharp cactus thorns. "Doesn't that hurt?" I've asked her. But she never replies. Apparently, it is rude to ask questions while the queen is brushing her hair.

My cat is a queen. For over 15 years she has only lived indoors. She's a house cat and the house is her domain. She is the supreme ruler. Within her domain she is fearless and walks with regal authority. The dog knows that she's the boss and I know it, too. With her good grace I am allowed to live in her home with her (and pay rent). She also allows her sister Shawnee to live in her domain. Shawnee will show Taco some queenly respect--although there is a limit to how much of Taco's fantasies she can endure.

I am but a mere lowly serf but I take pride in my job of feeding the queen and attending to her every need. With pride and joy I pluck the cat hair off my cacti and I never ever complain.....not even when I get pricked. I may never know what it's like to rub my face over a cactus but I have at least witnessed such an event through my queen and in the process was made to think about how complementary opposites can actually be. The softness of a kitty kitty and the brutal sharpness of cactus thorns can come together in a beauteous way. There is much to think about in that regard. And it's all thanks to Taco, my lord and master and queen.

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