Being six again

Sally, me and Harry

What a nice and brand-new experience today! I felt like being six again myself. All eyes on me, the children and three adults. I was invited to have a talk about cat care at a 6-year old girl's birthday party this afternoon. Fiona and her six friends had all dressed up as kittens with painted faces. Not sure they were excited at first about getting a talk from a cat sitter but when they heard about the cats in my car, they were all ears :-) I did not prepare a speech or script. I wanted it to be spontaneous and let them ask questions. My calico cat Sally was cooperating nicely but poor Harry was very nervous and I left him in the carrier most of the time. I did do a lot of the talking; it comes natural to me and interjected with lots of questions. I was able to keep their attention and they asked so many questions...really impressive and cool! I explained why Harry and Sally were scared and nervous and not acting like themselves. Their questions were cute and sometimes surprising and smart. I love the way a child's mind works. I showed them how to approach a cat, how to pet a cat, never to chase or grab a cat. We also checked out the sharp teeth and claws. And what are those whiskers and paw pads for? Little girls: they come up with the craziest but also best creative or innovative ideas. I hope our half an hour get-together was educational to them and they take home that it is important to take very good care of one's pet and watch out for other pets in need.

Our calico Sally was a true sport!

Fiona's mom wanted to pay me for my time but instead I asked her for a donation check to the attention of  Pets with Disabilities. I could see she was thrilled about this special appearance during her little girl's birthday party. The smiles on the girls faces and on birthday girl Fiona's in particular were more than enough a reward to me. I feel like I did a good thing here.