Kitty Softpaws

If you've seen the new Puss in Boots movie, you know exactly who Kitty Softpaws is as well as how she got her name.  Well...the Bethea household how has our own Kitty Softpaws.  We had to take Mika in today to get her claws removed.  I understand that this is a controversial issue, but once she started lacerating our furniture, our arms, and our other cat, we decided it had to be done.  And it wasn't an easy decision - trust me!
When a cat gets declawed, it's entire first knuckle is removed.  Take a look at your hands.  Can you imagine what it would be like to have the first knuckle of each of your fingers removed???  Honestly, every time I think about it I wince.  It makes me sad inside and I start to feel more empathy for our helpless little cat than any human should for any animal.  I'm not saying a person shouldn't feel sad or be compassionate toward animals; I'm just saying that this really isn't as big of a deal as I make it in my head.
Think about it this way: serious ballerinas often have their toe nails removed from their big toes in order to adapt to standing on the tips of their feet.  Much along those lines, when a cat lives permanently indoors, they often also need to adjust to their circumstances, which often means removing their claws.  People may argue that it's inhumane or that the owner's taking away any ability for the cat to protect itself, but if a cat lives indoors only it no longer has the need to protect itself.  The pain is temporary - just like any surgery - and the outcome is greatly advantageous to the other options for both the cat and the owner.  If we didn't get Mika declawed, we'd have to take her back to the shelter.  I love her way too much to send her away!
I've actually spent most of my night making sure she's okay.  Pathetic, I know.  She just looks so groggy and out of it from the pain medication and her paws look somehow deflated.  It's weird, actually.  I don't know if I'm imagining it, but the tips of her toes look thinner than they used to.  She's so social, so she's enjoyed me coming in and checking up on her every once in a while.  She even scooted around on her little chair so she could put her head on my arm (I was sitting on the floor, resting my head on my arm on top of the chair).  It was pretty cute.
Anyway, I highly doubt anyone even cares about this post - this is more just me thinking and processing through my fingers - and I have to admit that it rambles a bit, but I just had to get it out.  I had to write about it.  It doesn't hurt that I'm trying to be better about posting more frequent blogs, either :)

Taking a Hint from Benjamin Franklin

Temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.  What do these incredibly difficult characteristics have in common?  Benjamin Franklin includes these thirteen virtues in his autobiography, explaining his overly formulaic attempt to improve his character and lifestyle.  So...what's the point?  Well, you see, Franklin also explained how after coming up with the thirteen virtues, he tracked his progress on the virtues in a log organized for each day of the week (see the example below).  He built on his virtues in succession - once he mastered the first one, he'd add the second.  Once he mastered the second, he'd add on the third.  He did this with each one until he'd mastered them all (or at least he'd come close).  At the end of this section of his autobiography, he leaves his readers with the following words: "I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."  Ladies and Gentlemen, I am one of those descendants who has chosen to take on the task of reaping the benefits!

I have talked a lot in the past about resolutions, changes, additions, and any other number of improvements I'd like to make to my life.  However, I often feel so overwhelmed by this list of self-improvements that nothing gets done!  I first read about Benjamin Franklin's quest for virtue last year when teaching Rationalist literature to my American Literature class.  I found it intriguing then, but, being in the crazy phase of life that I was, I didn't have the time to think any further than that.  When I taught the unit this year, I thought more about Franklin's quest as well as his "hope" to pass on his lesson to his descendants.  I have to admit that I'm still hesitant.  I've never been any good at sticking to life changes that don't come naturally (and those that come naturally typically aren't positive).  Still, I'm going to do this, and I'm starting at the new year.

January first is a week from tomorrow.  If I'm starting my list of virtues then, that means I have to come up with a list, plan what order I'd like to conquer them in, create my own virtue log, and begin.  My challenge to you is to consider doing the same.  What do you want to improve in your life?  Is it your health?  Your sleeping habits?  Your prayer life?  Something altogether different?  Consider it.  And once you have, pursue the change.