Monday, April 19, 2010

Friends and Family

Years ago I heard a psychologist saying that we should treat family members with the same consideration and respect we show friends. If a friend spilled a drink, you wouldn't chastise them, you would just say that it's OK, don't worry about it. But if a family member did the same thing, we would chastise them and ask how they could be so clumsy.

Thinking about that method made me realize that I don't treat Crash and Burn the same way as I treat a friend's cat. You see, I'm catsitting this week. Yesterday when I went to see Dali, she was afraid of me. I tried to play with her, but she wanted no part of me. I just gave her her food, fresh water and cleaned her box. This morning, she was a little more friendly, she even played a little. Again I gave her fresh food, water and cleaned her box. I felt sorry for her so I tried to give her some attention.

Then I came home and got impatient because Crash and Burn were under my feet, looking for more food. If they are too slow to play, I give up. And, I'm ashamed to admit this, I don't always clean the box every day.

When dealing with friends I guess we never give up being nice, we don't want to hurt their feelings lest they leave us. With family, we seem to take them for granted. Family will always be with us, no matter what. Just like Crash and Burn, they are very forgiving.

1 comment:

Snooty Primadona said...

Amen to that! The other day I noticed that poor Trouble cat had REALLY dirty water. How could I be so cruel?